water hydrant

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know of any good hydrants, we have used some different ones and about every seven years the rod breaks in them because of rust. Please remember that I had to put a water softener and filter even on the cattles water to get the iron/sulfur and other contaminants out of it, the softener does add a little salt but, not to the extreme that it would mess up the hydrants. I have had the water tested and it comes back within safe range on salt, etc. Any thoughts out there?

 

[Howdyjabo]

We have given up on frost free hydrants-- They don't hold up and are a royal pain to replace.And constantly had to remember to go around and shut them all off on freezing nights-- they will crack way to easily.

We have gone back to letting the black pipe come up and put a valve on it. We rarely have problems with long term freezing(NC) and they don't bust with a light freeze that will thaw quickly most days. For the hard cold snaps we just let them drip over night to make sure we have water the next morning.

The ones in the barn that the sun can't hit I just wrap with an electrical heat tape .

One hint if you are turning a frost free hydrant on and off all the time--- put a Y valve on it--and use that to turn the water flow on and off(except when its freezing)--- all that up and down puts them to leaking.

 

[Daybreak]

Howdy,

http://www.woodfordmfg.com/Woodford/Yard_Hydrant_Pages/modely34.htm

They make a very nice freezeless yard hydrant. I would suggest that you follow all the tips in putting in the hydrant. Deep enough (below frost line) covered from getting hit (put next to post or something) Dig a large enough area around drain hole, use plenty of large stone gravel, use a cinder block for unit to rest on.

They also have a higher priced models with a brass rod, and some with larger guts etc.. more $$$, but it might be what you need.

Freezing weather.. ya gotta deal with it. You need water. After a hydrant is in, we use a piece of hose that reaches to about the ground. Put a quick connect brass connecter on it, and connect to rubbermaid stock tank float valve. Cold freezing weather, turn off hydrant, dis-connect quick connect, let hose hang. Never a problem. Even with some hydrants I have here from 20+ years ago.