Bison Pumps do not require daily maintenance to operate properly. However, like any mechanical device, it does require some maintenance and care.
Pump Heads
Pump Head Maintenance Kit
All of the pumps, whether deep well or shallow well, have a similar system where the Lift Rod enters the Pump Body through the Gland Nut (Item G). The Gland Nut is the black hex part on the top of the pump that the Lift Rod goes in and out of during pumping. This component will wear over time as a result of the Lift Rod rubbing against the inside hole in the Gland Nut.
The Gland Nut is threaded into the cavity holding the Cup Seal (Item E). This is the device that prevents the water from leaking around the Lift Rod. It too wears as the Lift Rod rubs against the inside of it. When this component wears you can adjust the Gland Nut tighter to adjust for the worn material. Eventually too much material will be removed and water will continually leak. This is the water users will see coming up around the Lift Rod.
In this same cavity is a Bottom Bushing (Item H). This item guides the Lift Rod through the stroke. It wears with usage from the Lift Rod moving through the opening.
All of these wear items can have their life extended if you apply small amounts of Virgin Olive Oil periodically (Every 1-2 months) to the Lift Rod. Then pump the handle to move the oil to the other components providing some additional lubrication.
At some point the Gland Nut will be fully threaded into the cavity and water will still leak. This means it is time for a Pump Head Maintenance Kit.
Cylinders
Cylinder Maintenance Kit
Cylinders are constantly in the water and do not require periodic lubrication. The Cup Seals (Item C) on the Piston move against the inside of the Cylinder Body during pumping. This will eventually wear the edges of the Cup Seals causing less water per stroke to be delivered. It will take a lot of strokes to wear out the Cup Seals.
Most Cylinders need maintenance due to water quality. This means there is some type of contaminant in the water that attaches to the internal components such as a Check Valve (Item B) that causes them not to seal. Or if particles get between the Cup Seal and the Cylinder Body, it can scar the piston and/or body potentially freezing up the Piston Assembly. Some large items (small rocks, sticks, etc.) can get in the Foot Valve and lock it open. This will cause the Cylinder to fail. In all of these cases, a Cylinder Maintenance Kit will correct the issue.
There is not any regular maintenance that can be performed on the Cylinder due to its location. Therefore, just perform maintenance when you have issues with water flow.
If you have questions about this, call our Technical Support staff at (800) 339-2601 for assistance.
