Franklin Electric Self-Priming Pumps
- Electric, gas engine, and hydraulic driven self-priming models
- Choose from Turf Boss, FBSE, FBSEF, FMIT, FMIG, and FMIH
- Fill the casing once and the pump primes itself after
- FMIT, FMIG, and FMIH handle up to 10% mud, sand, and silt
- Close-coupled sizes from 1/2 HP to 7.5 HP
- Send us your model number and we will confirm the right fit
Picture a pump on a pad above a farm pond, kicking on at dawn from a timer with nobody there to prime it: that is the job a Franklin Electric self priming pump is built for. After one initial fill, it clears air from its own suction line every time it starts. Franklin builds these pumps in four drive styles, and the right one depends on how you will power it.
Use the table to match your job to a drive type. Each drive type has its own page with full models and specs.
Franklin Electric Self-Priming Pump Finder: Job, Power, and Series
Pick your self-priming pump by power source first. Choose a close-coupled electric model for a compact sprinkler or transfer pump, and a frame mount model for belt or direct drive. Where there is no power, use a gas engine model, or a hydraulic driven model when a tractor can run the pump.
| Your job | Power on site | Drive type | Series to look at |
| Timer-run lawn sprinklers, turf, golf courses | Electric | Close-coupled | Turf Boss (1 to 5 HP) |
| Small farm or home water transfer | Electric | Close-coupled | FBSE (1/2 to 3 HP) |
| Larger irrigation or industrial transfer | Electric | Close-coupled | FBSEF (1/2 to 7.5 HP, up to 295 GPM) |
| Dewatering or water with mud, sand, and silt | Belt or direct drive | Frame mount | FMIT-20, 30, 40; FBSTF |
| Very high flow for irrigation or water trucks | Belt or direct drive | Frame mount | FTT-20, 30, 40 (up to 740 GPM) |
| Remote job site or field with no power | Gas engine | Gas engine driven | FMIG, FNSGF, FBSGF |
| Field work where a tractor is already on site | Tractor hydraulics | Hydraulic driven | FMIH |
Close-Coupled Self-Priming Pumps
The pump bolts straight to an electric motor, so there is no coupling to align and the unit stays compact. These suit homes, turf, and farms with power at the pump.
The standout is the Turf Boss, built for the constant start and stop of timer-run sprinklers and able to lift from up to 25 feet. Compare it with the FBSE and FBSEF in the close-coupled self-priming lineup .
Frame Mount Self-Priming Pumps
A frame mount pump rides on its own bearing frame, so you choose the drive: belt, electric motor, or engine. It suits contractors and growers who move a lot of water or dirty water.
The standout is the FMIT, which handles mud, sand, and silt up to 10% by volume. For higher flow, the FTT-20/40 reaches up to 740 GPM and heads up to 140 feet. See the frame mount self-priming models .
Gas Engine Driven Self-Priming Pumps
These pumps carry their own engine, so they work at flooded job sites, remote fields, and anywhere without a power line. They suit crews that move the pump from site to site.
The standout is the FMIG, with flows up to 300 GPM and a semi-open impeller for solids. The FNSGF trades solids handling for pressure. Browse the gas engine self-priming pumps to compare engines.
Hydraulic Driven Self-Priming Pumps
The FMIH runs off a hydraulic motor, so your tractor becomes the power plant, with no generator or extra engine to fuel. It suits farms and water truck operators with auxiliary hydraulics.
Its standout spec is the 7/8 inch SAE B-fit spline shaft, which you must match to your hydraulic motor. Check fit details on the hydraulic self-priming pump page.
What to Send for a Self-Priming Pump Quote
- Your current model number, or a photo of the nameplate.
- The water source and how far below the pump the water sits.
- What is in the water: clean, sandy, silty, or carrying debris.
- The flow you need and how high and far the water must travel.
- Your power: single-phase or three-phase electric, engine, belt, or tractor hydraulics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a self-priming pump?
A self-priming pump is a centrifugal pump that can clear air from its suction line and start pumping on its own. You fill the pump casing with water once before the first start. After that, the casing holds enough water for the pump to prime itself each time it runs. This lets the pump sit above the water source, on a pad, trailer, or truck, instead of below it. Franklin builds self-priming pumps in electric, gas engine, and hydraulic driven versions.
Do you have to prime a self-priming pump?
Yes, you have to prime a self-priming pump once, before its very first start. Fill the casing with water through the priming port, close it, and start the pump. From then on, the casing holds water and the pump primes itself. You will need to refill it again if the casing is drained, for example after winterizing or a repair. Running the pump with an empty casing can damage the mechanical seal before it ever pulls water.
Can a self-priming pump run dry?
No, a self-priming pump should not run dry for long. It can pump air while it primes, but only because water stays in the casing to cool the seal. If the casing empties or the source runs out, the seal and impeller overheat quickly. Keep the intake below the water line, check that the casing is full before startup, and shut the pump off if it runs for several minutes without moving water.
Do self-priming pumps require a foot valve?
No, a self-priming pump does not usually require a foot valve, because they clear air from the suction line on their own. Some Franklin models, such as the FMIG, have a built-in check valve in the front cover that holds water in the casing between runs. A foot valve can still help on a long suction line or a high lift, since it keeps the line full and shortens priming time. It also adds a screen that keeps debris out.
Send us your current model number, or your flow, lift, and power source, and we will quote the right Franklin self-priming pump.