Self-Priming Diesel Irrigation Pumps — 6", 8", 10" & 12" Range

Collins Pumps has been manufacturing self-priming diesel irrigation pumps in Moama, NSW since 1987. Every pump in our range is designed and built in Australia for Australian conditions — from the dry heat of inland summers to the mud and debris of flood season.

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The Self-Priming Advantage

A self-priming pump can draw water from a source without needing to be manually filled or fitted with a foot valve. This means you can drop a suction hose into a dam, channel or floodwater and the pump will prime itself and begin delivering water. For everyday irrigation, this saves time and effort at every start-up. For emergency use — flood response, site dewatering, dam overflow — it can be the difference between getting water moving in minutes or losing critical time. There is no foot valve to clog, no manual priming to fumble with in the dark, and no delay waiting for the pump to become operational. Self-priming also means fewer failure points. Without a foot valve sitting in the water source, there is one less component to maintain, one less thing to block with debris, and one less reason for the system to lose prime overnight. Combined with a diesel engine for off-grid independence, a self-priming pump is the most practical and reliable option for rural and remote water movement.

Self-Priming 6" Diesel Pumps

Our 6-inch pumps are the most versatile units in the range with flow capacity of 2-7 megalitres per day. Compact and portable, they suit a wide variety of applications — stock water supply, vineyard and orchard irrigation, domestic dam pumping, small-scale farm irrigation and spray filling.

These diesel irrigation 6, 8, 10, and 12 inch pumps are easily transported on a ute or trailer and can be set up by one person. For properties running multiple pump sites, the 6-inch is a practical and affordable workhorse.

Self-Priming 8" Diesel Pumps

The 8-inch range steps up in flow capacity to 4-9 megalitres per day while remaining transportable. These pumps are well suited to medium-scale irrigation, dairy farm water supply, site dewatering and broadacre supplementary watering.

The 8-inch strikes a practical balance between flow rate and portability. It delivers significantly more water than a 6-inch unit without the size and weight of the larger pumps, making it a popular choice for mixed farming operations and medium-sized properties.

Self-Priming 10" Diesel Pumps

When you need serious volume, the 10-inch pump delivers 5-12 megalitres per day. Designed for broadacre irrigation, flood recovery, centre pivot feed systems and large-scale water transfer, this is a high-capacity unit built for demanding work.

The 10-inch is available with a Isuzu diesel engine, providing the power needed to move large volumes of water over distance. It is the pump of choice for irrigators running large areas, councils managing flood response and contractors handling major dewatering jobs. With self-priming capability at this scale, the 10-inch can be deployed rapidly to flood sites and begin moving water without delay — a significant advantage over non-self-priming alternatives that require manual filling or auxiliary priming systems.

Self-Priming 12" Diesel Pumps

The 12-inch is the largest pump in the Collins range and is purpose-built for maximum flow capacity of 12-18 megalitres per day. Typical applications include high-volume flood and dewatering operations, large-scale irrigation schemes, municipal water management and mining site water transfer.

At this size, pumps are generally configured to suit specific project requirements. If you need a 12-inch unit, contact us to discuss your application, flow rate and head requirements, and we will build a pump matched to the job.

Bare Shaft Pumps

For customers who want to fit their own engine, motor or power take-off, we manufacture bare shaft pumps in 6-inch, 8-inch and 10-inch sizes. A bare shaft pump is the pump head and housing without an engine — the same robust, self-priming design used across our full range. This option suits workshops, fabricators and farmers who have a preferred engine on hand or want to integrate the pump into an existing setup such as a PTO-driven system or a stationary engine installation. Bare shaft pumps are also a practical option for replacing a worn pump head on an existing frame or trailer without the cost of a complete new unit.

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Electric Drive Pumps

For sites with mains power or a generator already in place, we offer electric drive pump configurations. These provide the same self-priming performance as our diesel units with the lower running costs and reduced maintenance of an electric motor. Electric drive is well suited to permanent or semi-permanent installations — dairy sheds, processing facilities, fixed irrigation setups and municipal pump stations. If you have power available at your pump site and want to discuss an electric option, get in touch with our team.

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Every Collins diesel pump is fitted with a built-in heat exchanger as standard. The engine cooling system is integrated into the pump design, using the water being pumped to cool the engine during operation. The pumped water does not enter the pump but cools the walls of the coolant reserve therefore cooling the coolant.

Built-In Heat Exchangers

This is a significant advantage for continuous-duty applications. Many competitor pumps rely on air cooling alone, which limits how long they can run before overheating — particularly in the high ambient temperatures common across inland Australia. With a built-in heat exchanger, a Collins pump can run continuously without the risk of thermal shutdown.

For irrigators running long sets, flood responders pumping around the clock and anyone who needs a pump that will not overheat mid-job, this is a feature that matters.

Since 1987

Custom Builds

Engine Preference

Choose from Isuzu, John Deere, Yanmar, Kohler, Cummins or electric drive.

Performance & Fittings

Flow rate, head pressure and suction lift matched to your application. Configured to suit your pipework, hose connections and site layout.

Mounting Configuration

Skid mount, trailer mount, frame mount or bare for integration into your own setup.

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Not Sure Which Pump You Need?

Choosing the right pump size and engine combination depends on your application — how much water you need to move, how far and how high it needs to go, how often you will use it and where it will operate. We have been helping Australian farmers, irrigators, contractors and councils choose the right pump for nearly four decades. Contact us for a no-obligation recommendation.

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