eng Science and Education Publishing American Journal of Mechanical Engineering 2328-4110 2026-02-05 14 1 7 13 10.12691/ajme-14-1-2 AJME20261412 article Chaim Vivien DOTO 1 2 Sylvain SOROTORI 2 Djigbo F¨Ślicien BADOU 3 3 Samuel Fernand GOUDA 3 Hyppolite AGADJIHOUEDE 3 Unit¨Ś de Recherche en Am¨Śnagements et Ma?trise de lĄŻEau, Laboratoire de G¨Śnie Rural, Ecole de G¨Śnie Rural, Universit¨Ś Nationale dĄŻAgriculture, 01 BP 55, Porto Novo, B¨Śnin Laboratoire des Sciences V¨Śg¨Śtale, Horticole et Foresti¨¨re, Ecole dĄŻHorticulture et dĄŻAm¨Śnagement des Espaces Verts, Universit¨Ś Nationale dĄŻAgriculture, 01 BP 55, Porto Novo, B¨Śnin This study presents the design and preliminary field testing of a battery-assisted, mechanically buffered floating water pumping prototype developed for smallholder irrigation in contexts with limited access to energy and infrastructure. The system is conceived as a proof of concept that combines mechanical energy buffering, via compression springs and a flywheel, with intermittent electromagnetic assistance supplied by a battery, rather than as a fully autonomous energy system. The prototype was designed, assembled, and tested under real field conditions in the commune of NĄŻDali, northern Benin. At this exploratory stage, the evaluation focused exclusively on functional behavior and hydraulic performance, while energetic efficiency was intentionally excluded from the scope of the analysis. Field experiments based on volumetric measurements yielded a mean discharge of 0.21 L s-1 under a total dynamic head of approximately 0.87 m. The prototype exhibited stable flotation, reliable mechanical operation, and required minimal human intervention during test cycles. Although energy consumption, efficiency, and long-term durability were not quantified, the results demonstrate the technical feasibility of a low-energy, mechanically assisted floating pumping system adapted to smallholder irrigation. The prototype therefore constitutes a robust experimental platform for subsequent instrumentation, energy performance assessment, and design optimization. https://pubs.sciepub.com/ajme/14/1/2/ajme-14-1-2.pdf Experimental Prototype Floating Pump Rural Irrigation Hydraulic Performance Proof of Concept