Water pump? (really basic advice required!)

[Seahorse]

I like that one Snadger - that's the sort of this I was picturing, only I didn't know what they were called or where to look!

JM - yup, like that idea too!

Thanks folks

[zazen999]

Snadger's recommendation ordered.

Will update on success in a week or so.

Cheers everyone.

[Seahorse]

I'll be waiting with baited breath Andrea - it really looks like a worker to me

[zazen999]

This is what happens when it is too horrible to go out and garden; I shop [therefore I am].

[Matt.]

Whats you've gone for is worth a try but I doubt you'll get much flow from a cordless drill. I thought they were desinged to work on a corded and thus faster spinning drill.

I have a similar problem. The only valid solution I can fine is a petrol powered pump. The smallest seem to be 1" hoses and pump hundreds of litres in a very short time. You could also try and get a 12v pump and a car battery but this is expensive too. If you have a dug well the manual hand pumps work ok and you can quickly pump a lot of water. The only downside is you have to be at the pump end not the water end where you can be hosing as required. They are ok for filling water butts. You can also look at a whole range of moving water pumps like a ram pump and variations of wheel pumps but these are likley to be either impractical or lacking in flow rate. One last option is a battery powered pump. Seach on ebay where they cost about £10. I think they'll be as good/bad as the drill pump but at least you won't have to be there holding the trigger? At the end of the day you might find a bucket on a rope is the quickest and most efficient option. I'll keep watching this thread in case a hidden gem is unearthed!!

[zazen999]

Hi Matt.

I won't be pumping; that's the OH's job!!!

We will be buying a largeish butt, and having a hose coming from that. Part of our plan was to grow things that didn't need much water; but obviously in a hot summer we need it, and for watering in new seedlings. Plus, I think we are going to overflow on the tomatoes this year!!! So some will have to go on the lottie.

We don't like hard work, so will be 'growin' hard' as they say; but there are occasions where water is needed.

But I agree, the bucket on a rope might be the best; it's just so flippin dangerous - I don't want to keep having to manoevre the lid on and off every time.

[Matt.]

I would definietly look into investing in a manual pump. You can then properly cap the well to make it safe. If fellow allotmenteers will help it would only take a morning and cost relativly little. The ones we have at our site have a small brick house about 3'x3'x3' that cover the well and hold the pump. We then have one of these: Pumps by W Robinson and Sons > Hand Pumps > Semi Rotary Wing Pump in 1". There are about 6 of these on our site in total serving 100+ allotments.