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Frankin Electric Self Priming Centrifugal Pumps
Franklin Electric DR Centrifugal Pump
Franklin Electric
Franklin Electric DR Centrifugal Pump
- Price
- From $772.33
Franklin Electric FBSEF Self-Priming Pump
Franklin Electric
Franklin Electric FBSEF Self-Priming Pump
- Price
- From $2,072.28
Franklin Electric Turf Boss Self-Priming Pump
Franklin Electric
Franklin Electric Turf Boss Self-Priming Pump
- Price
- From $1,036.17
Franklin Electric FBSE Self-Priming Pump
Franklin Electric
Franklin Electric FBSE Self-Priming Pump
- Price
- From $1,036.17
Frankin Electric Self Priming Centrifugal Pumps
Franklin Electric · Irrigation, Transfer & Effluent
Franklin Electric
Franklin Electric
Self-Priming Pumps
Turf Boss self-priming sprinkler and irrigation pumps for clean water, and FBSE and FBSEF self-priming pumps for dirty, salty or light-solids liquid. Lift from a pond, lake, ditch, tank or basin up to 25 ft below the pump, 1/2 to 7-1/2 HP and up to 295 GPM — compared honestly with Goulds, A.Y. McDonald, DAB and Grundfos.
3 LinesTurf Boss · FBSE · FBSEF
1/2–7-1/2 HPListed motor range
295 GPMFBSEF max capacity
25 ftSelf-priming lift
212 °FFBSE liquid temp
A self-priming centrifugal pump moves large volumes of water from an open source — a lake, pond, canal, cistern or holding basin — and re-primes itself after the first fill, so it does not have to sit flooded to start. Franklin Electric builds three self-priming lines. The cast iron Turf Boss is the clean-water irrigation and sprinkler pump, 1 to 5 HP. The FBSE and FBSEF run a semi-open cast iron impeller for fertilizer, salt water, dirty water and light solids, from 1/2 to 7-1/2 HP. They are built for irrigation and landscape contractors, farms and nurseries, golf and turf crews, car washes, and construction and dewatering work.
We supply the U.S. 60 Hz range in single and three phase, plus the pump end kits, repair parts and motors that keep them running. Our engineering-led selection matches the pump to your liquid, suction lift, flow and pressure against the Franklin data — call 1-888.510.4036 or email sales@watermainsupply.com. Genuine Franklin Electric equipment, factory-new in original packaging — sold and supported by Watermain Supply, an independent industrial supplier.
Will It Work for Me?
Four checks that settle most self-priming pump orders.
Warranty
FBSE and FBSEF: Franklin’s limited warranty runs 12 months from installation or 24 months from manufacture, whichever occurs first, per the FBSE and FBSEF owner’s manual. Turf Boss: the terms are in the Turf Boss owner’s manual, and we confirm them with your quote.
Reliability
Heavy cast iron cases; a 304 stainless impeller standard on the Turf Boss 3–5 HP and optional on 1–2 HP; a blind-hole-tapped FBSE impeller so the liquid cannot reach the shaft threads. Back pull-out on the Turf Boss. Pump end kits and repair parts are sold separately.
Fit
Suction lift to 25 ft, measured from the water surface to the pump. Clean water to 120 °F: Turf Boss. Dirty, salty or light-solids liquid to 212 °F: FBSE or FBSEF, solids to 0.75 in on the FBSE-300. The FBSE is rated 75 psi maximum working pressure.
Size It Now
Send the liquid, the vertical lift, the flow and the pressure you need. We select from the Franklin data and quote it.
Request a quote and selection
1-888.510.4036 · sales@watermainsupply.com
What Self-Priming Actually Means
A standard centrifugal pump has to be full of water to move water; run it dry off a suction lift and it spins air.
A self-priming pump keeps a reservoir of liquid in its casing. On start-up the impeller mixes that liquid with the air in the suction line, separates the air and pushes it out the discharge, and pulls the water column up behind it. Fill it once at installation, and it re-primes on later starts.
Lift is the limit. Suction lift is the vertical distance from the water surface to the pump. Franklin rates its self-priming pumps to 25 ft; the closer you get to that, the more flow you lose and the longer priming takes. Keep the suction line short, airtight and one size up on long runs.
Priming aids help. The Turf Boss 3–5 HP adds a built-in suction check valve that aids priming and stops backflow and siphoning at shut-off; the 1–2 HP has an integral 1 in NPT priming plug.
The Franklin Electric Self-Priming Line
One question picks the line: is the liquid clean, or is it dirty?
Turf Boss
Clean water · 1–5 HP
~70 GPM1–2 HP, 130 ft shut-off
~150 GPM3–5 HP, 71 psi shut-off
25 ftSelf-priming lift
120 °FMax water temp
The cast iron irrigation workhorse. The 1–2 HP runs Modified PPO hydraulics with a floating stainless eye-seal on a 56J motor, with 1-1/2 in NPT ports. The 3–5 HP steps up to a standard 304 stainless impeller, a cast iron diffuser, a built-in suction check valve and JM-frame ODP or TEFC motors, including 575V.
Key specs
- Back pull-out: base, case and piping stay in place for service
- 1 and 1-1/2 HP dual voltage 115/230V; three-phase inverter-duty rated
- Built-in drain plug for winterizing
Best forTimer-run turf and sprinkler irrigation, agricultural and nursery irrigation, wellpoint dewatering, car wash and water transfer.
Shop Turf Boss
FBSE Series
Dirty, salty, light solids · 1/2–3 HP
126 GPMCapacity
70 ftHead
0.75 inSolids, FBSE-300
212 °FLiquid temp
Cast iron volute with tapped priming, vent and drain openings, and a semi-open cast iron impeller that passes light solids. The impeller is blind-hole tapped so the liquid will not corrode the shaft. Carbon/ceramic seal faces with FKM elastomers, on motors with a higher-than-NEMA service factor.
Key specs
- 75 psi maximum working pressure
- 1-1/4 in ports to 1 HP; 2 in from 1-1/2 HP
- 56J C-face pump end kits available, less motor
Best forFertilizer and chemical transfer, salt and brackish water, dewatering, septic and drainage, construction and mining.
Shop FBSE
FBSEF Series
Tough liquids, TEFC · 1-1/2–7-1/2 HP
295 GPMMax capacity
7-1/2 HPLargest motor
TEFCEnclosed motor
3 × 3 inNPT from 5 HP
The bigger, enclosed-motor version of the FBSE for tough liquids outdoors. Cast iron pump case, carbon/ceramic seal with stainless components, and totally enclosed fan-cooled motors from 1-1/2 to 7-1/2 HP in single and three phase.
Key specs
- 1.25 × 1.25 in NPT at 1-1/2 HP; 2 × 2 in at 2–3 HP; 3 × 3 in at 5–7-1/2 HP
- 230V single phase to 5 HP; 230/460V three phase 3–7-1/2 HP
- Pump end kit available, less motor
Best forCommercial dewatering, agricultural drainage and irrigation, high-volume transfer of dirty water.
Shop FBSEFTurf Boss vs FBSE vs FBSEF
From Franklin Electric published data and our listings. Flow and head are family ceilings, not a single duty point.
| Feature | Turf Boss 1–2 HP | Turf Boss 3–5 HP | FBSE | FBSEF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liquid | Clean water | Clean water | Dirty, salty, light solids | Tough liquids |
| Motor HP | 1–2 | 3–5 | 1/2–3 | 1-1/2–7-1/2 |
| Flow up to | ~70 GPM | ~150 GPM | 126 GPM | 295 GPM |
| Head or pressure | Shut-off to 130 ft | Shut-off to 71 psi | To 70 ft; 75 psi max working | Per Franklin curve |
| Impeller | Modified PPO; 304 SS option | 304 SS standard | Semi-open cast iron | Per model |
| Max liquid temp | 120 °F | 120 °F | 212 °F | Per manual |
| Motor | 56J, ODP | JM frame, ODP or TEFC | 56J, higher-than-NEMA service factor | TEFC |
| Supply | 115/230V or 230V 1Ph; 208-230/460V 3Ph | 1Ph, 230/460V and 575V 3Ph | 115/230V, 230V 1Ph; 230/460V 3Ph | 230V 1Ph; 230/460V 3Ph |
| Ports | 1-1/2 × 1-1/2 in NPT | 2 × 2 in (3 HP); 2-1/2 × 2 in (5 HP) | 1-1/4 or 2 in NPT | 1.25, 2 or 3 in NPT |
| Service | Back pull-out | Back pull-out; suction check valve | Tapped prime, vent and drain | Pump end kit |
Quick rule. Clean water for sprinklers or transfer: Turf Boss — 1–2 HP up to about 70 GPM, 3–5 HP up to about 150 GPM. Dirty, salty or chemical liquid, or water over 120 °F: FBSE. More than 126 GPM of tough liquid, or an outdoor pump that needs an enclosed motor: FBSEF.
Franklin vs Goulds, A.Y. McDonald, DAB and Grundfos
We supply all five brands, so here is where each one wins. Other-brand figures are from our own product pages for those lines; price positions are from our current prices.
Clean-water irrigation and sprinkler pumps
| Feature | Franklin Turf Boss | Goulds GT Irri-Gator | A.Y. McDonald 89000 | A.Y. McDonald 84000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor range | 1–5 HP | 3/4–3 HP | 1–2 HP | 3 and 5 HP |
| Supply | 1Ph and 3Ph, including 575V at 3–5 HP | 1Ph and 3Ph | 1Ph only | 230V 1Ph or 230/460V 3Ph |
| Published flow | ~70 GPM (1–2 HP); ~150 GPM (3–5 HP) | To 110 GPM at 5 ft lift | To 83 GPM (89200, 0 ft lift) | 162 GPM (84500 at 5 ft lift, 20 psi) |
| Suction lift | 25 ft | Re-primes once initially primed | Tables to 25 ft | Tables to 25 ft |
| Impeller | Modified PPO with SS eye-seal; 304 SS option (1–2 HP), standard (3–5 HP) | Glass-filled Noryl; silicon brass option | Stainless-reinforced internals | Brass |
| Priming aids | 1 in NPT priming plug; suction check valve (3–5 HP) | Tapped for vacuum gauge and drain | See product page | Suction flange with flapper valve; tapped for air volume control |
| Service design | Back pull-out | Back pull-out | See product page | See product page |
| Motor | 56J (1–2 HP); JM, ODP or TEFC (3–5 HP) | NEMA ODP, 3500 RPM | Single-phase | NEMA JM 3,500 RPM, dual ball bearing |
| Rebuild parts on our site | Pump end kits and repair parts | — | Repair parts listing | — |
| Price position on our site | About 10–20% above GT and 89000 at 1–1-1/2 HP, close at 2 HP; below the 84000 at 3 and 5 HP | Lowest at most sizes to 3 HP | Close to the GT | Highest at 3 and 5 HP |
| Shop | Turf Boss | GT Irri-Gator | 89000 | 84000 |
Honest verdict. For a 1 to 1-1/2 HP lawn sprinkler pump on single-phase power, the Goulds GT and the A.Y. McDonald 89000 cost less than the Turf Boss, and the GT covers the smallest job at 3/4 HP. The A.Y. McDonald 84000 publishes the highest low-head flow at 5 HP, and its flapper-valve suction flange is built for fast priming, but it costs the most and is for non-potable use. The Turf Boss wins the jobs that run hard: the widest range from one family (1 to 5 HP), a stainless impeller, a suction check valve and TEFC or 575V motors at 3 to 5 HP, and pump end kits and parts on our site, at a lower price than the 84000 at 3 and 5 HP.
Self-priming for house water from a shallow well, cistern or tank
| Feature | Franklin Turf Boss | DAB JET 150-PS / 200-PS | Grundfos SCALA1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built for | Volume for sprinklers, irrigation and transfer | House and garden water from a shallow well | All-in-one house booster from a tank or shallow well |
| Suction lift | 25 ft | 29 ft | 26 ft |
| Flow and head | ~70 GPM, shut-off to 130 ft (1–2 HP) | Shut-off 215–218 ft; curve to 23.8 GPM (150) and 34.3 GPM (200) | 15.8 or 23.5 GPM at 82 ft; 150 or 180 ft max head |
| Built-in control | None — runs on a timer or pressure switch you supply | Pressure switch fitted | Integrated tank, sensors, dry-run protection and auto restart |
| Supply | 1Ph and 3Ph, 1–5 HP | 230V 1Ph, 1.5 or 2 HP | 115V or 230V, 0.8–1.1 HP |
| Expandable | — | — | Two units pair on a twin installation set |
| Shop | Turf Boss | DAB JET | Grundfos SCALA1 |
Honest verdict. These pumps all self-prime, but they are built for different jobs. For household pressure at the taps, the DAB JET and Grundfos SCALA1 are the better buys: the JET lifts the deepest (29 ft) and builds the most pressure with its pressure switch already fitted, and the SCALA1 is the plug-and-play choice with its tank, dry-run protection and automatic restart built in. The Turf Boss is the pump when the job is volume — sprinkler zones, irrigation and transfer — at two to three times their flow.
Dirty water and solids. None of the Goulds, A.Y. McDonald, DAB or Grundfos pumps on our site is a self-priming pump for effluent or solids, so the FBSE and FBSEF stand alone here. Where there is no power at the pump, look at the Franklin gas engine self-priming pumps (FBSGF, FNSGF and FMIG, which handles solids up to 10% by volume). Where the pump can sit in the water, look at submersible dewatering pumps.
Which Self-Priming Pump Do You Need?
Starting points by job. We confirm the final model against the published data before you order.
| Job | Start with | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Lawn and turf sprinklers from a pond or lake | Turf Boss 1–2 HP | Largest zone GPM, pressure at the heads, vertical lift |
| Agricultural, nursery or golf irrigation | Turf Boss 3–5 HP | Flow per zone, 575V or TEFC need, suction check valve |
| Wellpoint dewatering, clean water | Turf Boss | Lift, flow, run hours; stainless impeller for grit |
| Fertilizer or chemical transfer | FBSE | Chemical against FKM and cast iron; working pressure 75 psi |
| Salt or brackish water | FBSE | Liquid temperature and solids size |
| Dirty water over 126 GPM, outdoors | FBSEF | TEFC motor size, 3 × 3 in ports from 5 HP |
| House water from a shallow well | DAB JET or a Franklin jet pump | Lift, pressure switch setting, tank size |
| House booster from a rainwater tank | Grundfos SCALA1 | Tank level, peak demand, twin set for more flow |
| No power at the site | Franklin gas engine pump | Engine HP, solids, portability |
How to Size a Self-Priming Pump
Four numbers pick the pump. Send them and we return a selection checked against the Franklin data.
1. The liquid. Clean water points to Turf Boss; dirty, salty, chemical or light-solids liquid points to FBSE or FBSEF. If it carries solids, tell us the largest solid size.
2. Suction lift. The vertical distance from the lowest expected water surface to the pump, plus the friction in the suction line. Stay well inside 25 ft; every foot of lift costs flow.
3. Flow. For irrigation, the gallons per minute of the largest zone that runs at one time, not the whole system. For transfer, the volume divided by the time you have to move it.
4. Pressure at the outlet. Required pressure = pressure at the sprinkler heads + 0.433 psi per foot of rise from pump to heads + friction loss in the discharge line.
Worked example. A sprinkler zone uses 12 rotor heads at 4 GPM each, so 48 GPM at 40 psi. The heads sit 10 ft above the pump and the discharge line loses 6 psi at 48 GPM. Required pressure = 40 + (0.433 × 10) + 6 = 50.3 psi, which is about 116 ft of head (50.3 × 2.31). The pump sits 8 ft above the pond surface. That is a 1–2 HP Turf Boss duty; we confirm the model against the Franklin curve at 8 ft of lift. If the duty lands past about 70% of the model’s maximum head, step up a size. See Pump Curve 101 for how to read the curve.
Features That Matter in the Field
Back Pull-Out Service
On the Turf Boss the motor and rotating assembly come off the back while the base, case and piping stay put, so a seal or impeller change does not mean re-plumbing.
Suction Check Valve
The Turf Boss 3–5 HP carries a built-in suction check valve that helps it prime and stops backflow and siphoning when it shuts off.
Stainless Impeller Option
A 304 stainless impeller is optional on the Turf Boss 1–2 HP and standard on 3–5 HP — the choice for water carrying fine grit or hard-run systems.
Solids-Passing Impeller
The FBSE semi-open cast iron impeller passes solids from 0.25 in (1/2 HP) to 0.75 in (3 HP), and its blind-hole tapping keeps the liquid off the shaft threads.
Hot and Aggressive Liquids
FBSE handles liquid to 212 °F with FKM elastomers and 300-series stainless seal parts, for fertilizer, salt water and dirty water.
Winterizing Made Simple
A built-in drain plug on the Turf Boss and tapped drain openings on the FBSE let you empty the case before a freeze.
Catalogs, Brochures & Manuals
Franklin Electric’s own literature for these pumps. Each opens as a PDF.
Turf Boss 3–5 HP Catalog (Mi4040)Curves, order data, construction
Turf Boss Brochure (MF2163)1–2 HP features and performance
Turf Boss 3–5 HP Brochure (Mi2194)3 and 5 HP features and performance
Turf Boss Owner’s Manual (106258101)Install, priming, service, warranty
Turf Boss Sprinkler Pump O&M (106505101)Sprinkler pump installation and operation
Self-Priming FPS Catalog (Mi4073)FBSE and FBSEF curves and data
FBSE and FBSEF O&M (106657101)Install, operation, warranty
Surface Pumps Brochure (M5287)Franklin surface pump overview
Pump End Kits, Repair Parts & Motors
Rebuild a worn self-priming pump on a good motor, or replace the part that failed.
More in repair parts and accessories. Genuine Franklin Electric parts keep the pump to its published performance.
Why Buy Self-Priming Pumps from Watermain Supply
Engineering-Led Sizing
We size from your liquid, lift, zone flow and pressure, and confirm the pump against the manufacturer data before you order.
Five Brands, One Answer
We supply Franklin Electric, Goulds, A.Y. McDonald, DAB and Grundfos self-priming pumps. If the Turf Boss or FBSE is not the right fit, we will say so and quote the one that is.
Account Terms Available
Net-30 for qualified contractor, property-management and municipal accounts.
Parts & Aftermarket
Pump end kits, overhaul kits, seals and motors for the self-priming pumps you already run, matched by model.
The Right U.S. Build
Single or three phase, 115V to 575V, ODP or TEFC — matched to your service and site.
Houston & Gulf Coast
Based in Houston and serving Gulf Coast irrigation, landscape, agricultural and construction customers.
Self-Priming Pump FAQ
Straight answers to the questions we get most.
What does self-priming mean?
A self-priming pump can pull water up its suction line without being flooded before every start. It keeps liquid in its casing, uses it to purge air from the suction line and draws water up on its own, then re-primes on later starts. It still needs to be filled once at installation.
Turf Boss or FBSE: which do I need?
It comes down to the liquid. The Turf Boss is for clean water — irrigation, sprinklers and transfer — and moves more of it. The FBSE has a semi-open impeller for dirty, salty, chemical or light-solids liquid up to 212 °F. For more than 126 GPM of tough liquid, step up to the FBSEF.
How high can a self-priming pump lift water?
Franklin rates the Turf Boss and FBSE to lift from about 25 ft, measured from the water surface to the pump. Performance falls as you approach that limit, so keep the pump as close to the water as the site allows and the suction line short and airtight.
Turf Boss, Goulds GT or A.Y. McDonald: which sprinkler pump should I buy?
For a 1 to 1-1/2 HP single-phase lawn pump on a budget, the Goulds GT and A.Y. McDonald 89000 cost less. For 3 to 5 HP, three-phase or 575V power, a stainless impeller, a TEFC motor or rebuild parts on the shelf, choose the Turf Boss, which also costs less than the A.Y. McDonald 84000 at 3 and 5 HP. We supply all three.
Can a Turf Boss supply water to my house?
It can move the water, but it has no pressure switch or tank built in and is sized for volume rather than household pressure. For house water from a shallow well or tank, a DAB JET with its fitted pressure switch or a Grundfos SCALA1 with its built-in tank and dry-run protection is the better fit.
Can these pumps handle solids?
The Turf Boss is a clear-water pump; keep solids out of it. The FBSE passes light solids, from 0.25 in on the 1/2 HP to 0.75 in on the 3 HP. Tell us the solid size and we match the model.
Do I need the stainless steel impeller?
On the Turf Boss, a 304 stainless impeller is optional at 1–2 HP and standard at 3–5 HP. Choose stainless when the water carries fine grit or the system runs long hours. Clean, low-grit water runs well on the standard build.
Can I buy just the pump end?
Yes. Turf Boss, FBSE and FBSEF pump end kits are sold less motor to rebuild a worn pump on a good motor. Tell us the motor frame and nameplate and we confirm the fit.
What warranty applies?
For the FBSE and FBSEF, Franklin’s limited warranty runs 12 months from installation or 24 months from manufacture, whichever occurs first, per the owner’s manual. For the Turf Boss, the terms are in its owner’s manual, and we confirm them with your quote.
What should I send for a quote?
The liquid, the vertical lift from the water surface, the flow you need, the pressure at the outlet or the heads, your voltage and phase, and a photo of the pump you are replacing if there is one.
Sizing a Self-Priming Pump? Let’s Spec It.
Send the liquid, lift, flow and pressure. We return the matched Turf Boss, FBSE or FBSEF — or tell you if a Goulds, A.Y. McDonald, DAB or Grundfos pump fits the job better.
Technical data on this page is taken from Franklin Electric U.S. 60 Hz product literature and, for other brands, from our product pages; it is subject to change by the manufacturer. Confirm against the current installation manual and pump curve before specifying.
Franklin Electric, FPS, Turf Boss, FBSE and FBSEF are trademarks of Franklin Electric Co., Inc. Goulds and Irri-Gator are trademarks of Xylem Inc. A.Y. McDonald and Baker are trademarks of A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co. DAB is a trademark of DAB Pumps S.p.A. Grundfos and SCALA are trademarks of Grundfos Holding A/S. Noryl and Lexan are trademarks of their respective owners. All are used here for product identification only.
Watermain Supply is a DBA of E4 Industrial LLC, an independent industrial supplier based in Houston, Texas.
Franklin Electric, FPS, Turf Boss, FBSE and FBSEF are trademarks of Franklin Electric Co., Inc. Goulds and Irri-Gator are trademarks of Xylem Inc. A.Y. McDonald and Baker are trademarks of A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co. DAB is a trademark of DAB Pumps S.p.A. Grundfos and SCALA are trademarks of Grundfos Holding A/S. Noryl and Lexan are trademarks of their respective owners. All are used here for product identification only.
Watermain Supply is a DBA of E4 Industrial LLC, an independent industrial supplier based in Houston, Texas.
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