The Hydraulic Ram Collector
Donald Burger
Antique Water Rams
I collect these antique pumps for personal use and display at fairs.
Click on the water ram to see how water rams work
Water Rams:
Water rams are an inexpensive, creative way to pump
water.These semi-efficient pumps use the force of running
water to pump water up an elevation. With six feet of drop you can pump water 100 feet up a hill. The first self-acting
water ram was created 100 years ago, by a frenchman. The
pumps were celebrated as an easy, efficient and cheap means
of pumping water without any electricity. All that was needed
was flowing water, pipe, and the pump. Ads were produced in
which water rams, and large amounts of pipe, sold for just
a few dollars. These pumps are now quite common in the rural
areas in Washington, Oregon, and Northern California.
I now have a collection of roughly 18 pumps, and use
one in my creek. I also display them at local fairs, using
an elevated barrel to simulate the fall of water. I am
willing to make a fair offer on these pumps, and would
greatly appreciate a lead on pumps from ountries outside
the United States. I know that they were also common in
England and the rest of the British Isles.
Contact Don Burger
(707) 984-8399
P.O. Box 456
Laytonville, CA 95454
or E-Mail me at time@mcn.org
Links to other sites on the web:
The history of the hydraulic ram
Laytonville High School's Home Page
All About Pumps Ram Page
All About Pumps Pump Glossary Page
All About Pumps Home Page
This Site is Under Construction, so please come back in a day or two
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since August 22nd, 1997
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