NE-nerd wrote: Thu Aug 27, 2026 5:29 pm
I decided to go with a chain instead of a wood pump rod above ground.
I'm going to show my ignorance but doesn't the pump require from some type of rod for the down pressure? Maybe there is some type of spring action pump that will allow the pump to return in the downward motion.
The weight of the jet rod is plenty heavy, it provides its own down pressure on the cylinder by its weight alone. The rod string weighs over 150 lbs. because of the depth of the well. If a wood pump rod had to push down with <150 lbs of force the wood would likely buckle. So the weight of the rod actually does more than the downforce the windmill pushes with would likely ever do. The little knowledge I've gained about mills comes from ranchers in western Nebraska and many of them use chains.
windybob wrote: Sat Aug 29, 2026 8:31 am
We have replaced heads in the past, with a chain as a pump pole. The well hardware better go down as fast as the head goes thru the downstroke. If it does not, then as the well is falling, and the head goes to upstroke, thats a horrible bang. Every mill has means to keep the head from lifting. Yes it should help the well hardware on the downstroke. keeps everything working smooth. WHen we service or work on a well, whenever we see a chain drive version, the first thing we do is get rid of the chain, and put a pole on it.
Not telling anyone what to do, just telling everyone what we do.
I definitely see what your saying, but at this depth to water the weight of the rod will always apply more downward force than the mill will practically push with without the wood pump rod buckling. Or at least in my estimations this is what I think. I guess time will tell.
NE-nerd wrote: Thu Aug 27, 2026 5:29 pm
I decided to go with a chain instead of a wood pump rod above ground.
I'm going to show my ignorance but doesn't the pump require from some type of rod for the down pressure? Maybe there is some type of spring action pump that will allow the pump to return in the downward motion.
The weight of the jet rod is plenty heavy, it provides its own down pressure on the cylinder by its weight alone. The rod string weighs over 150 lbs. because of the depth of the well. If a wood pump rod had to push down with <150 lbs of force the wood would likely buckle. So the weight of the rod actually does more than the downforce the windmill pushes with would likely ever do. The little knowledge I've gained about mills comes from ranchers in western Nebraska and many of them use chains.
