Metal cased wells

Many old wells pumped by windmills are rusting and decaying. Once casing collapses, the well is useless depending where the casing gives away. It is highly recommended all metal cased well have 3 or 4 inch plastic casing installed.

Drilling water well

Wells in this area vary from 40 feet to 200 feet depending on location. A six or 7 inch hole is drilled. The drilling rig pumps drill fluid down through a bit which rotates dislodging soil which rises to the surface moving into the mud pit. A drilling fluid ( containing bentonite) to provide better lifting ability than water and to stabilize the bore hole in unstable soils. Used for soils like sand to get the soil into the mud pit.
A water truck provides drilling water. Once the hole is down to proper depth, determined by depth of wells in area plus evaluation of material coming out of hole, 4 , 5, or 6 inch plastic casing in placed in hole. The lower 20 feet is slited about width of hacksaw blade. Joints glued together. Water then pumped through casing by rig , as water comes up through hole around outside of casing, small diameter gravel is placed around outside of casing. This flushes dirt from hole. When completed, a bucket is dropped to bottom of hole ( bucket Is a three inch pipe by 20 feet with valve in bottom) and pulled back to surface , dumped several times until water clears up. Pump is installed and run for several hours until well water clears up.


Rig has mud pump, Kelly, sliding table-- used for connecting drill stem, winch for lifting drill stem, casing, pump pipe, etc.
A Kelly is a junction device through which drill water flows from mud pump, and drill stem is connected that rotates during the drill process. It goes up & down during the process, during drilling ( going in hole), going up --coming out of hole.

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Drilling rig ---Failing 1500

Installing submersible pumps

They are installed on 1 inch black plastic, or 1 inch galvanized pipe, or 1 inch solid plastic in 21 foot joints. Those on one inch black plastic use safety rope attached to pump. Tape with electrical tape every 5 feet the wire & safety rope. The lower clamps should be taped also. Wires should be crimped with crimping tool and heat shrink tube applied over connection.

Submersible pump control boxes

Control boxes have a relay, capacitor, and a terminal board. Wires ( incoming) are attached to terminal board , other components mounted on cover with male connector pins, base mounted on (pole, wall)----assembly complete when cover placed on base--- male pins must be carefully mated. Check relay & capacitor with voltmeter continuity checker. Replace defective parts.

Submersible pumps, timers, control boxes, etc.

The first thing to check with a voltmeter, is the voltage at the meter. Next check voltage at the control box or timer. If no control box , check voltage where cable goes down to pump. If voltage at cable at top of well, check for open/ short on conductors at top of well, likely one or the other, if not check at motor on pump when pulled. Check pump for open/ short or for resistance/impedance. Likely open or short. If in doubt apply voltage to pump. If runs, check cable from pump to top and connections at pump. Voltage normally 230 vac. Occasionally, 115 vac. Timers problems, check voltage at timer. Check switch & motor voltage. Likely find discrepancy in one of previous items. Where a pressure tank exists, it is a 20/40 or 30/50---pressure (psi) on/off. Check pressure in tank --should be around the " cut on " pressure 18 or 28. Most problems are with pressure switch contacts ( replace PS ). Always check voltage at PS first.

Cylinder Update

When installing a new cylinder, you must check the rod / plunger interface to verify rod screwed in the proper distance & locknut tight. Also verify the nut that tightens leathers is tight. Do not ASSUME these are tight!!! Also in cold weather for instances where weep hole gets pluged, hook the rod to the rod from head with a 12 inch chain. This gives relief in case the rod coming from well is frozen.