Well Pumps: need input

[viking]

I'm looking for a manual hand pump for my well has anyone purchased one or has experience with them. I have a deep well (225 ft) I already have generator back up power, my property is heavily wooded still so solar is a problem at this time. The ones I've found online I'm looking at between $1,000 - $1,400 for the set up. Has anyone been down this road? Is this about how much it costs or does that seem high?
Any input would be welcome.

[shadowwalker]

I may be able to help on the hand pumps, there is a company called Lehman's that has a amazing amount of products made for simple and survival living.Another is Cumberland General Store, I think they have finished moving and are up and running with their store and catalog company again.
As a Absolute last end backup for your well. As I had one for my home in Tn. I got a good grade of nylon rope about 1/4 inch would do. Get enough for TWICE the length of your well so you will have a spare. Now get white PVC pipe about 1 inch O.D. smaller(say the well is 4 inch I.D. get a 3 inch Pipe. Now I got a twenty foot piece of pipe. I cut it into four 5 foot lenghts. I also got four end caps, to glue on one end only. I did this to one pipe. On the other end I drilled four holes-two opposite each on each side. I then got stainless steel craft wire from a hobby store. I doubled it and looped it through the first two holes, wrapped around the pipe to meet and wired in a knot. I took a doubled wire and made a second setup through the top two holes and made the wire the same sized loop as the first one, so they made a double loop at the end the same length. I did this as a back up incase one breaks, my tube won't be stuck in the well. I planned to keep a close check on these. I also get two pulleys from the hardware store to use with they rope. I have a very sturdy folding metal ladder that would use for a arch at the top of the well. This way I could put the homemade pipe in the well and kind of use as a Bail to get me some water. Better than nothing and it does work. In the bottom of the pipe I put about 8 inches of clean large pebbles for weight. My well was only 141 feet and I could pull the plastic pipe and pump out of it by myself, to use my homemade setup.
Lehmans has alot of stuff for a well like your looking to make with the handpump.
I would also recommend a company called Lindsay's Publications for books on earlier machines and how to make them. Very good catalog.

[oldmarinesgt]

I'm looking for a manual hand pump for my well has anyone purchased one or has experience with them. I have a deep well (225 ft) I already have generator back up power, my property is heavily wooded still so solar is a problem at this time. The ones I've found online I'm looking at between $1,000 - $1,400 for the set up. Has anyone been down this road? Is this about how much it costs or does that seem high?
Any input would be welcome.

Have a look at this pump. Sounds like it may fit your needs.

http://www.survivalunlimited.com/deepwellpump.htm

[Diesel]

Have a look at this pump. Sounds like it may fit your needs.

http://www.survivalunlimited.com/deepwellpump.htm

wow great post! had never seen that one before looks really interesting

[lailr]

Would my springhead not be safe in most all situations?

[rancher]

Well, try this...

We have two wells, 700' and 365'. Both have multiple one way check valves so water does not go back down the well shaft from the surface.

On the 365' well we have it plumbed inside a well house. Thus the plumbing is exposed. If you have that then you should be able to tee into the pipe coming up and out of the well. Install a shut off valve the buy a diaphragm operated hand pump like ours. It works great. Also think about being able to offer your wells and storage tanks a secure air filtration system to cleanse said air as it exchanges back and forth with water usage.