Well Pulling Day

Today, with the help of a couple of neighbors, we pulled the submersible pump on our well and replaced it with a new one.   The old one had been in there for about 28 years, and was getting weak, running way too much and causing high electric bills.   We replaced the 1/2 horse pump with a 1 horse pump, which should run less and be more efficient, and hopefully lower our electric bills considerably. .   I am documenting the procedure here to show what is involved in pulling a well pump, and also for our own benefit for future reference.   By doing the work ourselves, we saved probably close to two thousand dollars.   I guess that's why country boys do their own work - nobody has that kind of cash sitting around.   Old timers like us have learned a lot of practical skills over the years.  It is hard to convince today's youth that practical skills are important, as texting and video games seem more enticing, but if more young men learned a few skills, they could sure save a lot of money.   I asked Harold and the neighbors where they learned to do all this, and they said : "From the school of hard knocks"!

Anyway, in long photo form, here's what we did today!   (In about 4 hours)

First the well head is disconnected.

The first part of the well head is lifted via chain over a wheel.   Neighbor Ronnie lifts, while neighbor Frank pulls on the chain.

The chain is then connected to Harold's tractor/loader.

Harold begins to pull up the submersible pump - 175 feet down.

Ronnie guides the pump cable over the wheel, Frank guides the well head connection, and Harold backs up with the tractor.

Harold keeps backing up.

He backs way out - only another 100 feet to go.

Almost there!  Keep on backing up Harold!

The pump is finally out of the ground!

Harold and Ronnie connect the electrical wires on the cable to the new pump.

Ronnie uses a torch to apply the heat shrink to the connections.

Harold ties on some new black cable with electrical tape.

The new pump is lowered into the well housing, back over the wheel.

Harold walked out and gradually brought the cable in, while Ronnie guided it over the wheel.

A few more electrical connections to make to the fuse box.

Everything back in and connected up.

There is running water coming out of the main spigot!!  Success!

And so, this is how it's done, and how you can save $2,000 doing the job yourself!  All you need is enough skills to connect electric wires properly, some basic tools, neighborly help, (and a good tractor helps), and a working knowledge of how well pumps operate.   Some wells don't have to be this deep, it all depends on the conditions of where you live.   Ours just happens to be about 175 ft deep.   We should be pretty good for another 20-25 years or so.