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How does a High Lifter water pump work? |
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It is a gravity-powered, piston pump that uses the power of water moving
downhill to lift a portion of that water above the source. |
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How much water will the High Lifter pump and how high does it lift? |
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The 2" High Lifter is designed for residential and light
agricultural use. Output depends on fall, lift, and flow; the average is 400 - 800 gallons
per day (GPD) and the maximum is 750 - 1,500 GPD. High Lifter is capable of 1,000 foot
lifts. It will keep working with only a marginal source and will pump with flows as low as
one quart per minute. |
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Is the High Lifter a "ram" - how does it compare? |
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High Lifter is not a ram and has many advantages over the old ram type
pump. High Lifter is a piston pump which is more energy efficient, quieter, self starting,
always in tune, and often less expensive than a ram. Unlike the ram, High Lifter can
operate on very low flows and is not troublesome. It often pumps more water than a ram.
This is particularly true in situations such as limited summer flow and/or high lift,
where the ram may not work at all. |
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What precautions should be taken to insure High Lifter's performance? |
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Use the filter (included with the pump) and a strainer at the collection
point. Optionally, for best performance, protect it from freezing by locating the pump
below the frost level and/or covering it. |
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What are the most common problems? |
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Air bubbles in the input lines do not hurt the pump, but may slow it down
or even stop it. Air that gets trapped in high spots of the input line will eventually
dissolve into the water on its own. Otherwise, the bubbles can be flushed out or vented by
lifting the low spots. The best prevention is to lay the input line so that there are no
air pockets. |
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How does a High Lifter compare economically to a gas pump? |
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For high lifts, the initial cost of the High Lifter is equal to or less
than a gas pump. For low lifts it may be possible to purchase a gas pump for a lower
initial cost. Experience show, however, that the whole system could cost more than the
High Lifter. Gas pumps usually require an extra reservoir at the collection point, a
larger diameter pipeline, gas, oil, etc. Also, overloaded gas pumps have a notoriously
short service life between rebuilds. Long term operation and maintenance make almost all
gas pump installations more costly. |
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How does High Lifter compare economically with an electric pump? |
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The High Lifter provides savings compared to most electric pump systems
except for those having access to public power. Even for people with public power whose
lifts are over 500 feet, the cost of High Lifter is attractive. |
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What kind of maintenance does High Lifter require? |
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The filter needs to be cleaned periodically, depending on the water
source, but the pump itself needs no priming. After millions of strokes (or one to three
years of use) High Lifter begins to show wear on its seals - which are easily replaced by
the user. High Lifter is designed to be owner maintained; all necessary parts are
available from High Lifter dealers. |
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Will High Lifter work for a well? |
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In some cases, a shallow well located on a hill can be used with High
Lifter, but most users must have surface water. |
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Do I need a tank at the top? |
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It is possible to run an irrigation system without a tank on top. For
household use some reservoir is desirable. |
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Why is only a percentage of the water (going through the High Lifter)
pumped uphill? |
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High Lifter uses a portion of the total water flow as the energy source. |
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