Chris,
I dont use a very big buffer tank. Even with it full it will not prime if it was completely emptied before hand. see pic
View attachment 19620 of my set up. I might try increasing my hose diameter.
Connor, get the model number and give Russ J at Southside equipment a call and see if that pump can pull from a tank, since it is direct drive it might not be able to, a lot of direct drive pumps will not but some will.
If it will pull from a tank then you need to make some changes.
From your picture your pump inlet is almost 1/3 up the height of the buffer tank. The supply hose looks too small, looks like 3/4".
Since your machine is up about 3" with the elevated pump base and then with the direct drive raising the pump higher, that will be a problem for the pump unless the tank is at least 1/2 full or mostly full.
I would get a frame, pallets or something strong and raise the buffer tank up at least 1 foot or higher.
I would run 1" hose from the tank to the pump and put a pvc ball valve to block the supply line at the tank going to the pump but I would remove the filter on the wall, get a 1" filter and put it between the tank and the pump, being on the supply line you could be slowing down the flow to the tank, the pump will pull from the tank and filter easily but you need a good supply to the tank so you don't starve or cavitate the pump.
Do you have a hudson valve in the tank to stop the water when it gets full?
If after talking to Russ J and he varifies that the pump can pull from a tank, things would be easier for your pump if the tank was elevated (the inlet of the pump should be lower than the outlet of the water tank so gravity does most of the work before the pump's suction starts.
That looks like a small tank, I would not empty it between jobs, only for freezing temps, not worth the hassle of blocking valves and opening them all the time.
So, call Russ, get a 1" line from the tank to the pump with a ball valve and 1" filter, raise the tank higher, remove the filter to the tank and if the pump is designed to pull from a tank, then that should eliminate most of your pump problems.