Mission Statement

At Bison Pumps, our mission is to provide our customers with a quality, durable and affordable handcrafted hand water pump that will serve them with years of dependable uninterrupted access to their precious water supply.  This is accomplished by the many years of experience of our gifted and talented Maine craftsmen.

Maine Made Hand Water Pumps

Deep Well Hand Pump Installation Instructions

WARNING: All pumps are shipped with a brass bushing and brass hose adapter. You may want to check local codes to see if a hose bibb backflow preventor should be used when connecting a hose to the hose adapter on the pump. CHECK YOUR LOCAL PLUMBING CODE!!

Check the contents of the box to be sure everything you ordered has been received. Be sure to check the serial number on the pump head assembly #BPH-125WA to see that it matches your invoice/packing list number. READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE BEGINNING THE ACTUAL PUMP INSTALLATION.

Necessary tools for installation:

(We recommend two people be involved for ease of installation.)

STEP #1 - Make sure you have read and understand the installation instructions.

STEP #2 - If you are installing the pump in a well casing specifically dedicated to a hand pump, go to STEP #6.

STEP #3 - If you are installing your BISON DEEP WELL HAND PUMP in the same casing as a submersible pump or piping that goes to a jet pump, proceed as follows.

STEP #4 - Remove the existing well cover or well seal, whichever you may have and set it aside. NOTE: If you have a submersible pump, be sure to shut the electricity off to the pump before beginning the installation of the Bison Hand Water Pump. If you are installing in the same casing as a submersible pump, you will notice in most cases, the electrical wire exits the top of the casing and then runs back down to the ground with a piece of conduit. To continue with the installation of your Bison Hand Water Pump, you will need to drill a hole through the side of the well casing and install an electrical conduit ell in the side of the casing. This will allow you to pass the wire from outside the casing, through the conduit ell to the inside of the casing where you can re-connect the wires to the submersible pump. (See Detail "E" - Back Cover)

STEP #5 - You may need to lift your submersible pump or deep well jet assembly and foot valve in order to pass the Bison Pump Cylinder by the pitless adapter.

STEP #6 - Remove the Bison Pump Cylinder from the box, remove the red plastic plug from the pump cylinder and discard. Raise the PVC t-handle to loosen the piston seal. Once you have released the piston seal, pump the t-handle up and down a few times to loosen the seal. As you pump the piston, you will hear the check valves "burp". This indicates that the check valves are functioning properly, see Detail "C". (The plastic t-handle can then be discarded.)

STEP #7 - Start the assembly of your Bison Pump. If you have purchased a complete kit, you will notice that the safety rope has been securely tied to the pump cylinder when you received your pump. Note: Tie the other end of the rope to a secure object, i.e. the well casing, temporarily. The safety rope will be tied to the 1/4" eye bolt on the bottom of the well adapter in step #13. See Detail "A".

STEP #8 - Assemble your first piece of 3/8" stainless steel rod to the rod protruding from the cylinder. Pull the rod in the Bison Pump Cylinder all the way to the top to connect the first rod. As you assemble the stainless steel rod couplings and rod, screw the rod into the coupling until it butts up against the rod in the coupling. Use pliers to lock the rods together. Be sure to tighten the 3/8" ss lock nuts on both sides of the rod coupling. When you receive your rod, one of the lock nuts will already be tightened securely. You will notice that as you assemble the rod and piping in the well, the weight of the rod may push the piston in the pump cylinder down so that the rod lowers inside the 1 1/4" PVC pipe to a point where you can't reach it to connect the next rod coupling. We recommend that as you connect each rod, simply thread on the Bison BPN-240 Rod Retrieval Tool to pull the rod up as far as you can and connect a pair of vice grips to hold the rod in place while you secure the coupling and tighten the lock nuts. This can be done each time, if necessary.

STEP #9 - Screw the 1 1/4" PVC male end of the first 8' section of pipe into the 1 1/4" female thread in the head of the pump cylinder. Use teflon tape or pipe dope compound on all pipe threads.

STEP #10 - Lower the cylinder and the first 8' section of piping into the well and continue to connect the 3/8" rod sections and

1 1/4" PVC pipe until you have lowered all of the pipes into the well. Note: Use the slotted plywood paddle you received with your pump, to slide under the 1 1/4" PVC coupling and rest the paddle on top of the well casing. This will hold the pump in place while you assemble the rod and pipe. (See Detail "D")

STEP #11 - The Bison BPH-125WA Well Head with SS Well Adapter can now be installed. This entire assembly will be threaded on to the 1 1/4" PVC coupling on the last piece of 8' pipe and rod that you have just installed in the well. Remove the 3/8" allen head shoulder bolt from the well head. (See Detail "A").

STEP #12 - Screw the 3/8" rod coupling that is protruding from the bottom of the 1 1/4" well head and connect it to the last rod coupling sticking out of the 1 1/4" PVC pipe in the well, tighten and secure. Then screw the 1 1/4" BPH-125WA Well Head into the 1 1/4" PVC coupling. (This step is done easier with two people.)

STEP #13 - Tie the end of the safety rope to the 1/4" eye bolt on the under side of the well adapter. (See Detail "A") Set the well adapter and pump head on to the casing, squarely and straight. Then tighten the 4- stainless steel nuts and the 3/8" x 3/4" aligning bolt on the pump head. Tighten the 4 square headed bolts on the well adapter to secure it to the casing. Check to make sure the pump head is square and straight on the well casing, making sure all the bolts are tight. Place the 4-rubber boots on the square headed bolts of the well adapter. Re-connect the pump handle to the lift rod with the 3/8" allen head shoulder bolt.

STEP #14 - Pump the handle on your Bison Deep Well Hand Pump and enjoy a cold glass of water directly from your well.

(Note: If you are currently treating the water in your home, remember that the water you pump directly from your well is untreated water. Bison Pumps recommends that you have your water tested to be sure that it is good quality potable drinking water.)

 

Additional Installation Tips:

1) If you live in an area that experiences freezing temperatures, be sure to drill an 1/8" hole in the 1 1/4" PVC pipe approximately 6' to 7' below the well adapter. If you experience freezing temperatures that could have a frost penetration deeper than 7', drill the hole lower on the 1 1/4" PVC pipe. (See Detail "A")

2) If you experience any deficiencies or malfunction of your Bison Deep Well Hand Pump, please call 1-800-339-2601 for assistance and answers to your specific questions or concerns.

3) Be sure to check local plumbing codes in your area to be sure your installation meets all code requirements.

4) You will notice that a handle locking loop is attached to your pump handle along with a stainless steel chain and hook. If you choose, you can use either a paddle lock or a cable lock to secure the handle to the pump when not in use. Locking the handle is totally optional.

5) You will also notice that a brass hose bibb cap is shipped with the hose bibb adapter. This cap can be tightened to the hose bibb to keep insects out when the pump is not in use. Caution: In the winter months, be sure to let the pump drain back completely before securing the brass cap. You may not want to use the cap during the winter.

6) Thank-you for investing in a Bison Deep Well Hand Pump!