Waterwheel Pump Broke - No Water For Our Animals!

A stellar example of Murphey's Law. Smack bang in the middle of haymaking (the busiest time of year for us), our waterwheel pump decided to pack a sad. When the summer days are long and hot, our one-hundred-eighty animals are thirsty drinkers. So, behold the fiddly and time-sensitive process of us troubleshooting through trial and error to get this darn thing operating smoothly again before the troughs dry up!
[For the more technical-minded: This is a Davies B1 series pump. It's about 80-100 years old, and you can see the various parts being serviced herein, which are still manufactured to this day - a testament to an enduring product. It is designed to run fast, putting out about 200 gallons an hour. A very common relic to find on old farms in New Zealand.]
#waterwheel #DIY
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[@GorgyPorgy65]

I'm hooked on your videos. I'm a country girl and to watch you too work together and use the land as it is meant to be used, is just wonderful. You both brighten my day....Love your intelligence and ability.

[@corinschick8172]

Hi Nick
I have one of those pumps. I always carry a spare set of bucket washers and a spare set of springs. I think in your case a spare valve screen may be beneficial too. Pumps have a tendency to break down on Saturday afternoon in summer!
When you check your valves for seating issues, open them all at the same time and flush them out. The rubber seats will last a million years, but a bit of shit in behind them will stop the pump from working.
There is also a thread on both ends of the piston rod so when you change bucket washers you don't need to pull the whole piston out, just the nut and bolt assembly with the bucket washers attached.
Oh yeah, and invest in a pot of marine grease for all the bolt threads. It makes pulling them apart so much easier!

[@susanneguzman5339]

Love 💕 it! Thank you guys 🥰🌸God’s Blessings to you. I feel sure you will soon have some tiny helpers☺️

[@johnviney7919]

Hello from Canada! I am enjoying your videos about life on your farm. This water pump (and drive system) is a real treasure - a great design. You only need a few parts to repair / maintain it and it should last for many, many years. A real quality product for sure. Take care!! 😀

[@tempstep4058]

Can you record a couple of hours of the wheel turning and doing it's thing. It's very relaxing. It will get a lot of views.

[@GorgyPorgy65]

Time for a pedestrian gate down to the waterwheel !

[@lindalakota38]

Stuff always goes at perfect time my tractors never go down when im not using them that is really neat place you have i wish i hade a water flow like this i have a broke by summer its basicaly gone

[@chrisdaniel1339]

Your pump and water wheel system is well executed and quite impressive. I am curious though did you consider making a spiral water wheel pump? There is practically zero maintenance, they are dead simple in design, grit from the river should not affect any of the parts and for the most part all you need is a big spool of polyethylene tubing, you may want to widen the buckets on the wheel so that in dryer weather when the stream is not as fast moving there is still plenty of power.

[@Mtbambeno]

Watching the second video of yours now. Really like them so far. Hope all is well down your way. I live in the state of Missouri in the United States.
A suggestion on the top lid bolt, you could replace the bolt with a stud. Then you could remove the nut instead of the bolt to help prolong the threaded holes life. I would suggest a low strength Locktite in the threaded hole to help seal it from corrosion also.

[@ericprater4017]

Land to house has some great pvc ram pumps and lots of vids including how to build a 1 1/4 inch ram pump! Every pump has wear and tear on moving parts even ram pumps.

[@cartercurrie6529]

Enjoyed your video and you tackle a problem.

[@justgawkin2418]

I just found your channel. looks like your last upload was 4 months ago. are you still going to make new videos? like your channel, hate to see it drop off.

[@larryparish8708]

New Subscriber here. Lovely watch.

[@arzamumma1202]

Viewed 7-16-21 10:08 AM USA Good work !!

[@JohnSmith-yv6eq]

Can you add a fabric filter media, swimming pool filter on the suction side of your intake from the stream...up to the pump?
This would eliminate, at minor cost, the debris from the valve chambers...

[@ynthrepic]

Masterful as always, and a lovely watch!

[@lo-tar1442]

What kind of pump is this! Are there newer versions of this type of pump? I really want to get one :) Thanks for the great content.

[@bunkhindman3241]

You need a gate in the damm fence, man gate!!!!!!

[@oldfarmer3001]

No news since months….

[@wyattpence1667]

You talk a little much.