Self-Cleaning Pump Built For Shallow Water

2005 - Volume #29, Issue #4, Page #28

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Anyone who depends on river or canal water for irrigation will be interested in this new water-driven, self-cleaning pump that's designed to work in water as shallow as 4 in.
  "There's nothing else on the market that can pump out of such shallow water and also clean itself at the same time," says inventor Bob Wietharn.
  The Riverscreen floats on four pontoons and draws water from more than 35 sq. ft. of screening area. Water is delivered through a pipe available in 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12-in. dia. with 150 gpm to 4,000 gpm capacity. A screened, rotating drum measuring 32 by 48 in. is supported by an aluminum frame that mounts on the pontoons. Flowing water moves past a series of paddles, which force the drum to rotate and self-clean via a stainless steel mesh screen. As the screen rotates with the drum it goes by a series of jets, which dislodge anything that sticks to the screen.
  An optional electric power drive can be added for use in slow-moving water, tailwater return pits, and manure lagoons. Also optional is a galvanized lift boom that lets one person quickly swing out and gently lower the Riverscreen to the water surface.
  "It draws water that's only 2 in. below the surface, which is usually the cleanest water," says Wietharn. "It draws water from seven times the area of the suction line. You can draw from shallower water if you're pulling it from a bigger area, because the the water moves more slowly."
  Wietharn says he came up with the idea for the product as a solution to his irrigation problems. "I irrigate from a river that usually can be walked across, and the sprinkler nozzles kept plugging with debris that was sucked through the system. Cottonwood fuzz was the worst problem. A screen over the pump inlet that prevented sticks from entering would plug up with the fuzz. On the other hand, a screen large enough to let the fuzz through also allowed larger debris to enter.
  "At certain times I'd have to spend several hours a day cleaning nozzles, not to mention cleaning filters. I finally decided I had to find a solution."
  Sells for $1,500 to $3,150 depending on size of the delivery pipe.
  Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Riverscreen, Inc., 1925 Kiowa Road, Clay Center, Kansas 67432 (ph 785 632-5452; email: Riverscreen@kansas.net; website: www.riverscreen.com).

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Self-Cleaning Pump Built For Shallow Water MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT Pumps 29-4-28 Anyone who depends on river or canal water for irrigation will be interested in this new water-driven, self-cleaning pump that's designed to work in water as shallow as 4 in. "There's nothing else on the market that can pump out of such shallow water and also clean itself at the same time," says inventor Bob Wietharn. The Riverscreen floats on four pontoons and draws water from more than 35 sq. ft. of screening area. Water is delivered through a pipe available in 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12-in. dia. with 150 gpm to 4,000 gpm capacity. A screened, rotating drum measuring 32 by 48 in. is supported by an aluminum frame that mounts on the pontoons. Flowing water moves past a series of paddles, which force the drum to rotate and self-clean via a stainless steel mesh screen. As the screen rotates with the drum it goes by a series of jets, which dislodge anything that sticks to the screen. An optional electric power drive can be added for use in slow-moving water, tailwater return pits, and manure lagoons. Also optional is a galvanized lift boom that lets one person quickly swing out and gently lower the Riverscreen to the water surface. "It draws water that's only 2 in. below the surface, which is usually the cleanest water," says Wietharn. "It draws water from seven times the area of the suction line. You can draw from shallower water if you're pulling it from a bigger area, because the the water moves more slowly." Wietharn says he came up with the idea for the product as a solution to his irrigation problems. "I irrigate from a river that usually can be walked across, and the sprinkler nozzles kept plugging with debris that was sucked through the system. Cottonwood fuzz was the worst problem. A screen over the pump inlet that prevented sticks from entering would plug up with the fuzz. On the other hand, a screen large enough to let the fuzz through also allowed larger debris to enter. "At certain times I'd have to spend several hours a day cleaning nozzles, not to mention cleaning filters. I finally decided I had to find a solution." Sells for $1,500 to $3,150 depending on size of the delivery pipe. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Riverscreen, Inc., 1925 Kiowa Road, Clay Center, Kansas 67432 (ph 785 632-5452; email: Riverscreen@kansas.net; website: www.riverscreen.com).

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