Franklin Electric Close-Coupled Self-Priming Pumps
- Choose from the FBSE, FBSEF, and Turf Boss series
- Pump and motor share one shaft, so there is no alignment
- Covers 1/2 HP up to 7.5 HP on electric motors
- FBSEF moves up to 295 GPM for bigger transfer jobs
- Turf Boss lifts water from 25 feet for lawn irrigation
- Send us your model number and we will confirm the right fit
Pond water for a backyard lawn and dirty ditch water on a farm call for different builds, and a Franklin Electric close-coupled self-priming pump comes in both. The Turf Boss handles timer-run sprinklers from 1 to 5 HP. The cast iron FBSE and FBSEF take on transfer work, with the FBSEF reaching 295 GPM.
Below you will find what each series is built for, the specs side by side, and what to send us so we can match a model to your lift and flow.
Three Series, Three Jobs
Pick by horsepower and job: the FBSE covers 1/2 to 3 HP for everyday transfer and farm work. The FBSEF runs up to 7.5 HP and 295 GPM with a totally enclosed motor for dusty or wet sites. The Turf Boss is built for timer-run lawn and turf sprinklers, from 1 to 5 HP.
Turf Boss: Timer-Run Lawn and Turf Sprinklers
Sprinkler systems start and stop many times a week, and the Turf Boss is designed for that cycle. It can lift water from 25 feet below the pump.
The 1 to 2 HP models deliver up to 70 GPM and up to 130 feet of shut-off head. They are CSA and UL approved for indoor or outdoor use and handle water up to 120 degrees F.
FBSE: Farm Transfer and Light Commercial Work
The FBSE pairs a cast iron volute with a semi-open cast iron impeller. That impeller handles fertilizer, salt water, and dirty water that would wear out a lighter pump.
Single-phase models run on 115 or 230 volts up to 1.5 HP, and the 2 HP runs on 230 volts. Motors carry a service factor above the NEMA standard, and the discharge is threaded FNPT.
FBSEF: High Flow With a Sealed TEFC Motor
The FBSEF runs from 1/2 HP to 7.5 HP and moves up to 295 GPM. Every model uses a TEFC motor that keeps dust and spray out.
Its impeller is blind hole tapped, so the pumped liquid never touches the shaft threads. Three-phase versions come in 230, 460, and 575 volts.
Franklin Electric Close-Coupled Self-Priming Pump Specs Side by Side
| Series | HP range | Motor | Impeller | Best fit |
| FBSE | 1/2 to 3 HP | ODP, single or three phase | Semi-open cast iron | Farm transfer, small commercial, light industrial |
| FBSEF | 1/2 to 7.5 HP | TEFC, single or three phase | Semi-open cast iron, blind hole | High flow up to 295 GPM, harsh sites |
| Turf Boss 1 to 2 HP | 1, 1.5, 2 HP | 56-J frame, single phase | Thermoplastic or 304 stainless | Home lawn and small turf systems |
| Turf Boss 3 to 5 HP | 3, 5 HP | JM frame, single or three phase | 304 stainless, cast iron diffuser | Golf courses, commercial irrigation |
Five Things to Send Us Before You Order
- Lift: the vertical distance from the water surface up to the pump.
- Flow: gallons per minute, or the number of sprinkler heads that run at once.
- Pressure at the far end: what your heads or nozzles need to work.
- Power at the pad: single or three phase, and the voltage.
- Your old pump: the brand and model number, if you are replacing one.
Replacing an older lawn pump? This Monarch to Turf Boss guide walks through the swap.
Horsepower, Motor, and Impeller: What Moves the Cost
Horsepower moves the cost most. A 5 HP FBSEF costs more than a 1 HP FBSE.
A TEFC motor costs more than an ODP motor, and stainless impellers cost more than thermoplastic ones. You get an exact quote for your model number, not a guess from a price list.
Water Above the Pump, or No Motor on Site? Try These Instead
- You need to drive the pump with a belt, engine, or PTO. Look at our frame mount self-priming models
- Your water source sits above the pump. A flooded suction does not need self-priming, so a standard close-coupled centrifugal is often simpler.
- You want to compare every drive type. Start with the full Franklin self-priming lineup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to size a sprinkler pump?
To size a sprinkler pump, start with the flow of your largest zone. Add up the gallons per minute of every head that runs at once. Next, find total head: the lift from the water to the pump, the rise to the highest head, pipe friction, and the pressure your heads need. Then pick the smallest pump whose curve covers that flow at that head. The Turf Boss 1 to 2 HP models deliver up to 70 GPM for home systems.
Where can I find the Franklin Electric close-coupled self-priming pump manual?
The Franklin Electric close-coupled self-priming pump manual and related documents are listed on the product pages in this category. The FBSEF and Turf Boss pages list repair parts breakdowns, dimensions, and performance curves for each size. Use the curve to confirm flow at your total head, and use the parts breakdown to order the right seal or impeller. If you cannot find the document for your exact model number, send it to us and we will locate it.
What kind of pump do I need for my sprinkler system?
The kind of pump you need for your sprinkler system depends on where the water comes from. If you draw from a pond, canal, or tank below the pump, you need a self-priming pump such as the Franklin Turf Boss, which is built for timer-run sprinklers and lifts water from 25 feet. For larger turf or farm systems, the FBSEF adds flow up to 295 GPM. Count your zones and heads, then match the flow and pressure to a model.
Ready to order? Send us the model number or your flow, lift, and voltage, and we will confirm the right Franklin Electric pump before it ships.