31 SEPTEMBER 2025 WorldWide Drilling Resource® www.starironworks.com 257 Caroline Street Punxsutawney, PA 15767 800-927-0560 • 814-427-2555 Fax: 814-427-5164 Serving the Construction Industry Get a Handle on History Adapted from Information by A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co. Water is an essential resource for our daily existence, making the process of finding, extracting, and transporting it crucial for human survival. One effective way to access this vital resource is through water wells particularly when used in conjunction with a hand pump. Hand pumps are among the oldest mechanisms for lifting water, with a history spanning thousands of years. In prior centuries, these devices were commonly placed over community wells before piped water systems were implemented. A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co. has been operating since 1856, with the production of hand pumps commencing in the late 1800s. These pumps were widely utilized by farmers in the Midwest to extract water from wells for irrigation and livestock needs, as well as for household tasks like filling water storage tanks and cisterns. Over the years, many customers, homeowners, and antique collectors have discovered vintage A.Y. McDonald hand pumps, often still functioning, and have sought more information about these historical artifacts. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or just enjoy vintage garden decor, here are some notable hand pump models produced by the company, along with their features as listed in century old product catalogs: j Pitcher Pump: This model features a vertical rod and handle that lowers and raises a piston within a pipe or tube, allowing it to draw water from depths of 18 to 25 feet. j Force Pumps: With these pumps, the upward motion of the piston draws water through an inlet valve into the cylinder, while the downward motion discharges water through an outlet into a pipe. Household force pumps are commonly installed at kitchen sinks and used to elevate water to tanks. j Windmill Lift Pumps: This hand pump harnesses wind energy for operation, utilizing a windmill to turn a rotor connected to the pump rod, which moves the piston to extract water. These pumps are often found in rural areas lacking reliable electricity. j Heavy Lift Pumps: Known as heavy Globe Reservoir Windmill Pumps, these devices feature large spouts suitable for deep wells, often reaching depths of 300 feet or more. They are primarily used in stockyards and other applications requiring large cylinders. j Shallow-Well Set Length Pumps: Designed for drawing water from shallow wells, typically no deeper than 25 feet, these pumps have a fixed cylinder length that cannot be adjusted for different well depths. Few devices remain essential after centuries of use, yet the hand pump is one of them. A.Y. McDonald’s hand pumps exemplify the resilience and dependability of this ancient technology, which has been continuously improved over time. WTR
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