Posted 6 months ago
hotairfan
(404 items)
This is a John Gawthrop No.1 hydraulic ram. Often called a water ram. To simplify its use, it pumps water flowing from upstream to a lower point downstream while pumping a percentage of this water flow to a much higher point using only the power of falling water. A more concise description of its use and how it works, can be found on the internet. Look up hydraulic water ram.
It was invented in the 18th century and is still used in underdeveloped parts of the world and people (like the Amish community) still use it today locally here in Pennsylvania.
Sometimes litter, tadpoles, or stones would be caught in the inner workings of the ram pump, and it would stop the action. Then the pump would then need disassembly in the shop to remove the obstruction. Not with the Gawthrop Ram. Photo #3 shows that the entire ram is held together with a series of wedges. A small rock can be used to disassemble the ram right at the stream and the obstruction can be easily removed. After a simple reassembly, using the same rock, and the ram can continue pumping.
This ram pump is approximately 15 " tall and the bell is approx. 8" in dia. Made of cast iron; it is very heavy.
Very interesting, got a good history lesson.
Seems like quite the clever device. Having running water is nice.
Used to be a pair of them belonging to the local cow cocky next to the penstocks that fed a hydro power station I used to work at in the 90s, I think he had tapped into a pressure feed off them to run water up to the back of his farm, was always looking for a freeby :)
My payslip there said "power station operator" but when we had people knock on the door to have a look (and they came from all over the world) I described myself as "curator of antiques" as the place was commissoned in 1906.
hi fortapache,
they also had dbl. acting rams, that could be rum from stream water, but pumped spring water for human consumption.
Perfect for the moonshiners..lol.