Hardy Garden Hydraulic Ram Pump

An old technology that allows you to pump water from a creek or river.

Hardy Garden Hydraulic Ram Pump is great for gardens and watering livestock. The hydraulic ram pump is a water pump that requires no fuel or electricity to pump water uphill.

The driving force behind the ram pump is “head pressure” which is the drop in water between the source and pump location. You will need at least 2 feet of head pressure to get the pump going.

You can expect to get a ratio of 1:7 head pressure to lift. This means that for every 1 foot of water falling into the pump you will get 7 feet of lift out.

To set up the ram pump you will need two additional components. A drive pipe, to bring water to the pump, and a delivery pipe to take water to the desired location. The Drive pipe needs to be the same size as the waste valve on the pump.

You can use Steel, PVC, or Poly Pipe. It is recommended that the drive pipe be longer than 15 feet and shorter than 100 feet. The Delivery pipe can be any size you like. Even a garden hose will work. (Some additional components might be required to connect the pipe to the pump depending on the type of pipe you choose to use)

Once the required pipes are installed and the pump is in the location you will need to start the pump. Initially, you will need to manually press the brass swing valve to allow pressure to build in the pressure tank. Once the pressure has been built the pump will cycle on its own.

Pump requirements:

The 1-1/4″ ram pump is the largest available 

 Requirements:
– 1 1/4″ Drive Pipe
– 3/4″ Delivery Pipe at least (can use larger)
– 8GPM flow rate in the water source
–  2 feet of head pressure (water drop) (.6meter)
– Max head pressure 25 feet. (7.6meter)
– Max lift 180 feet. (55meter)

The 1/2″ ram pump is the smallest available 

Requirements:
– 1/2″ Drive Pipe
– 1/2″ Delivery Pipe at least (can use larger)
– 3GPM flow rate in the water source (11.4 L/min)
– 2 feet of head pressure (water drop) (.6meter)
– Max head pressure 25 feet. (7.6meter)
– Max lift 180 feet. (55meter)

The 3/4″ ram pump is great for gardens and watering livestock.

Requirements:
– 3/4″″ Drive Pipe
– 1/2″ Delivery Pipe at least (can use larger)
– 4GPM flow rate in the water source
– 2 feet of head pressure (water drop) (.6meter)
– Max head pressure 25 feet. (7.6meter)
– Max lift 180 feet. (55meter)

The 1″ ram pump is great when you need a max output of .75 gpm.

Requirements:
– 1″ Drive Pipe
– 1/2″ Delivery Pipe at least (can use larger)
– 6GPM flow rate in the water source
–  2 feet of head pressure minimum (water drop) (.6meter)
– Max head pressure 25 feet. (7.6meter)
– Max lift 180 feet. (55meter) with 25 feet of head pressure