14 BULLETIN 1358, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
WELL EQUIPMENT 
Well equipment in each region has become largely standardized — 
by long years of experience with various types. Pumps and fittings © 
have been designed by various manufacturing concerns to meet the | 
needs of different regions. 
Most wells require - that the water be pumped, although flowing 
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wells are occasionally found. Pumps operated by hand or by } 
geared “sweeps ” ’ turned by animal power (Pl. V, fig. 1) are still | 
found. A few pumping plants are equipped with easoline engines | 
only, and a still smaller number with steam engines. The oreat ma- i : 
jority of the deeper wells have windmills, and many up-to-date 
pumping plants have in addition a gasoline engine of from 2 to 16_ 
horsepower. (PI. V, fig. 2.) Ordinarily engines pump water faster | 
than windmills, and are especially valuable as a supplement to 
windmills during long calm spells. Engine cost may sometimes be_ 
reduced on a ranch by equipping all wells with windmills and using — 
one portable engine which can be moved to any well as needed. 
Engine equipment should not be left exposed to the weather, which 
always tends to shorten its life. (Pl. VI, figs. 1 and 2.) 
Steam pumping plants are too rare in the Southwest to permit 
conclusive comparisons of economy with other engines. However, 
their very scarcity, coupled with the fact that they require more | 
constant attention and usually the cutting and hauling of wood for | 
fuel, would seem to substantiate the general opinion that gasoline 
engines are cheaper. On one large range on the Mescalero Indian 
Reservation in New Mexico, where pumping was done from four 
wells from 340 to 380 feet deep, wood-burning steam engines were 
replaced by windmills, with supplementary gasoline engines. A 
decided saving in pumping costs resulted (4). 
An unusual device in operation at a deep well in southeastern New 
Mexico (PI. VI, fig. 3) has enabled a 20-foot windmill to pump water 
from a depth of 1 200 feet during most of the year, whereas formerly 
the mill was able to pump only “during periods of very high winds. 
Tt is a hinged walking-beam, one end attached by swivel clevis to 
the pump rod and the other end supporting a suspended counter- 
balance consisting of old gasoline drums filled with rocks and 
broken castings. “This counterbalance approximates the weight of 
the pump rod, which is more than 1,500 pounds. The principle, 
while neither new nor mechanically perfect, merits wider use at the 
deeper wells. 
WINDMILLS 
In the Southwest the windmill is one of the most economical power 
plants for pumping operations. In spite of the fact that wind as a 
motive power is somewhat unreliable, it can usually be depended 
upon during most months of the year. 
W indmills have been much improved in recent years, and various 
makes require little attention. All-steel milis and those with wooden 
blades are in common use, and each kind possesses individual points 
of excellence for certain conditions. Because of the length of time 
during which windmills have been used in the West, the experience 
within the particular region should be the best guide for a stock- 
Manufacturers of well machinery and appliances issue useful bulletins describing 
their products, 
