xt7n8p5v8h6m https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7n8p5v8h6m/data/mets.xml   Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station. 1931 journals kaes_circulars_246 English Lexington : The Service, 1913-1958. Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station Circular (Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station) n. 246 text Circular (Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station) n. 246 1931 2014 true xt7n8p5v8h6m section xt7n8p5v8h6m ¥ University of Kentucky——C0lIege of Agriculture
. EXTENSION DIVISION
.  THOMAS P. COOPER, Dean and Director
Circular No. 246 June, 1931
Published i11 CUllll€‘('[lUll with the 2'lgl`l('llltUl`2ll extension work c:1rrie·l
» on by cooperutioti of the College of Agl`li_'llltll1'€, University of Kentucky,
with the U. S. ,I;)O])2ll`tlllt*-III of .·\§l'l(‘ll]l.l\l`€, and distributed i11 fLll`[l\€l`2lllC€
V of the \v<.»1·I; ])l'(>\'l(lL’(l for lll the Aut of Cmigress of May S, lllll.
V  The Hydraulic Ram
’  By HOWARD MATSON
`. A hydraulic ram is a device by which tI1e lllOl1l€l1tlll1l of a large
quantity of water flowing down 21 pipe is used to force a small quantity
· to a higher level than the source. A ram can be used ivherever EL
sufficient volume of water can be piped from its source to a level
several feet lower.
. PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION 1
_ \Vate1· flows down the drive pipe i11to the body of the ram and l
A out thru tl1e impetus valve, gaining velocity until its lllOI`ll€ll[ll11l is
  sufficient to close the valve. The sudden closing of this valve causes
‘ tl1e moving column of water to exert great force ll]_)0l1 the valve in tl1e
_  bottom of the air clieniber, driving water lll and compressing tl1e air
lllltll the energy of the water colu111n is spent. Tl1e air-clianiber valve ‘
then closes, and the compressed air forces water out thru the delivery
J   ····· . .
i AIR c1—1A1v1B1212    
‘ Q / sN11=r1Ncs VALVE
. a 1
.  5 € • IMPETU5 VALVE
{  ='• \  `i€*\
·- ,1 °°··,;:. ·"  —  ¢>- /  .59 A ?
" "$i"`~ ~».. .-__ m-.... _, r ·2·° I
4x QE!   `11‘ // gx I
\1.-u._. .._.__. .... . ___ _.___,   l
5PRlNL¢` ` PLAM
_   _ A_ I _ _ ble
l.1·l.111v111 ol II11; l¤l.ll ...11l 11.111- 11111.+. SUM
p . at I
INFORMATION REQUIRED UIC
stm
Ill writing to lllLtllllfklCllll'€l`:·$ for recom111end;1tio11s concerning the {O ,
size of l'2l.lll to be used. its cost, and the method of installation, the ih,}
l.0ll()\\'lllg ll1lGl'Ill&lIlOll should be given: mai
1. Flow of spring, or number of gallons of water El minute to use
supply tl1e ram. lllilj

  _-
The Hydraulic Ram. 3
2. Fall, or vertical distance in feet from the surface of the water
in the supply basin to the probable location of the ram.
3. Distance in feet, from source to ram location,. . ‘
. 4. Length, in feet, of the pipe to convey the water from the ram
to the top of the storage tank.
5. Lift, or vertical height in feet above the level of the ram at
which water is to be discharged. .
G. Daily water requirement, or number of gallons needed a day
to meet all requirements.
INSTALLATION PRECAUTIONS
Protection of Ram. The ram should be bolted to a substantial,
level foundation in a tight, frost-proof pit of masonry or concrete
with adequate provision for waste water drainage.
Drive Pipe. The length of the drive pipe should be from five to
ten times the fall. lf, in order to obtain the necessary fall, the ram
must be located at a greater distance than this from the sou1·ce of
water, an intermediate rcservoir or stantlpipe should be provided at
the proper distance from the ram, open at the top and extending
above the water level in the supply reservoir.
The pipe connecting the source of supply to the intermediate
reservoir or standpipe should be at least one size larger than the
drive pipe. The top of the supply pipe should be at least a foot
below the surface of the water in the supply reservoir and not less
than six or eight inches above the bottom of the reservoir. It should
be fitted with it strainer. A gate valve should be placed in the drive
pipe, inside the ram pit, to make it possible to control the flow in
the drive pipe or stop it entirely.
Discharge Pipe. There is no definite limit to the length of the
discharge pipe, but in long lines the pipe used must be of sufficient _
size to prevent excessive friction loss.
Storage Tank. The reservoir or storage tank should be provided
with an overflow pipe, and should hold several days’ supply.
Laying Pipes. All pipes should be laid below frost line, and long
bends should be used wherever turns are necessary. Before covering
any pipe, all connections should be made and the ram started, so that
the lilies can be e:~;amined carefully for leaks.
RAM TROUBLES
if a ram ceases to operate, oi· functions imperfectly, several possi·
ble causes should be investigated. lf the ram stops from lack of
sufficient water flowing into the drive pipe, the valve on that pipe "
at the ram should be closed until enough water has accumulated in
thc reservoir. The drive line may then be opened and the ram
started by pressing down on the impetus valve, allowing the water
to escape, then permitting the valve to rise again. After repeatlng
this operation a few times the ram will continue to operate auto-
matically. By adjusting the ram to a shorter stroke, it lll2lY be made to
use less water during a period of diminished supply. Dirt or sand
may get into the valve and licep it from seating properly. This inzly

 #
4 Ifcvzhccky Extension. Circular N0. 246
be remedied by thoroly flushing the ram with clear water and cleaning U
both valves and valve seats. Worn valves may cause trouble; if so,
new ones should be put in.
One of the most common causes for the stopping of the ram
action is a waterlogged air chamber. Because of the pressure in the
chamber, air is constantly being absorbed by the water, and the air
supply must be replenished in some manner. Most 1·ams are equipped
with a snifting valve to admit a small quantity of air during each cycle
of operation. The suction produced by the recoil of the column of water
draws in a little air at each stroke. If this valve becomes clogged, it
should be cleaned. W'hen this has been done, or if the ram has not
such a valve, the air chamber must be drained and allowed to till with
air, after which the ram may be started.
MANUFACTURERS OF HYDRAULIC RAMS
Barnes Manufacturing Company, Mansiield, Ohio.
The Deming Company, Salem, Ohio.
\\'. & lf;. Douglas Pump Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Goulds Pumps, lne., Seneca Falls, New York.
]-lumphryes Mfg. Company, llansiield, Ohio.
Johnson Mfg. Company, Seattle, \\'ashington.
Montgomery \\'ard ix- Company, (`hieago, Illinois.
Niagara Hydraulic Engine Company, ("hester, Pennsylvania.
_ Payne Ram Company, Rome, New York. I
liife Hydraulic Engine Mfg. Company, New York City.
Rumsey Pump Company, Ltd., Seneca Falls, New York.
Skookum <"ompany, Portland, Oregon.
\\'ard-Love Pump (_`ll1'])()1`2ltiOll, Rockford, Iliinois.
Further information on the selection, installation, and operation of
hydraulic rams may he ol»t.iinr;d by writing to the Extension Division of
the College o1` Agricultiire, Lexington, Ky.
Publ
ation of
Agricult
{Hess of