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I have been facinated by hydrolic Ram Pumps for some time now. They use the force of water running down hill to pump some of that water up hill to a much higher elevation. You need about 3 ft of fall min to make one work and about 3 gpm flow. They use no electric and no out side power source. They are not very efficent, but they operate for free and pump 24/7 so you can build up a supply of water while you sleep. You get maybe 10% or less of the water flow pumped up the hill, depending on how high you need to pump it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIFVGq3RFRE


This shows how it works.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nU5AXw6f ... re=related

There are diagrams of how to make one from pvc plastic pipes on the net. It is a simple design that has been around since the 1700's. You can put a small inter tube in the water chamber partly inflated to avoid the unit from getting water logged when all of the air in the chamber gets desolved into the water flowing through. I think it is great tech, but I can't figure out a use of the water when I pump it up the hill here at my place. I have no live stock and have city water for drinking. It would be a strech to get the water to the top of the hill for irrigation here. But I love the idea and how it works.

Here is a diagram for building a Ram Pump. It gives alot of details and there is a chart of sizing requirements. It shows in detail how to make one yourself.


http://www.clemson.edu/irrig/Equip/ram.htm

Here is a home made hand operated water pump from PVC parts. below the video is an explanation of how to make one.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgR3cE9MRBs


Here is another way to build one. maybe easier.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-10UKzK ... re=related

I was wondering how I was going to empty these 55 gallon drums next to my house. Thanks for a solution!

You are welcome Lolly. I really like the different ways we have to move water. It is liquid, and heavy, but it moves easily under preasure. I like the home made solutions that people have come up with. There is a pump powered by a bike that I like as well.

Here is a Bike powered pump for water that I thought was pretty well done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCcehDeq ... ature=fvwp

Here is another one used for higher volume pumping for irrigation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4gY5B5O ... re=related

If you want to do more than just pump water with your bike here is another idea

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cjmAt96 ... re=related
I still like the Ram pump because you do not have to add any power yourself. But if you do not have the flow or the fall to operate the Ram these are pretty good alternitives.

If you don't like pedeling your bike or operating a pump by hand, here is another option for moving water to your home or barn

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlX9zqtUBug

I thought these kids did a great job with all recycled junk and good old american ingenuity. I am sure that you can improve on their design, but you get the idea.

Here is a how to video about making a Rus Pump. It works well for shallow wells or cisterns and pumps water well for a very cheap cost.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jpi1_WMYIE


I think there are enough ideas here on this thread for most of our members to solve their issues with moving water around their propery. Hope you all have enjoyed the options.

This is a bailer bucket used to dip water from a well, I liked the very simple design. enjoy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzD6k2Oo ... re=related

I came across this info on another permiculture site I thought it was interesting. It shows a new and different design for the Ram Pump. They call it a Platipus Pump, I had never seen this design befor.

http://www.iig.com.au/wind/platy.html

Has anyone heard anything about this type of Ram Pump?