Replies

1. 
   formulaross | Mar 08, 2007 06:35pm | #1

   I put one on the the far side of the garage, since the garage was unheated space. No problems, but haven't had it in that long, either. As far as brands, I shopped around and never recognized any of the brands, guess I'm not a farmer or somethin'. Ended up with a longer unit because of a hillside and buryied the valve deeper than the 3' frost depth here, so that's good. Placed the valve in a bucket with pea gravel and filter fabric over it, draining into a corrugated tile just to make sure the drain valve had a good drain. Went with brass fittings underground so I don't have to worry about galavanized fittings rusting or plastic fittings getting brittle and breaking. Then double SS clamped to black poly pipe under the garage and into the house. Actually did have one problem: the foundation folks poked a hole in my original poly pipe and I had a leak. Had to run a second line in my spare/future utility conduit under the garage slab to the hydrant.

2. 
   Scott | Mar 08, 2007 06:57pm | #2

   I've had three of the Merrill units for about eight years. No issues other than a drop of oil on the handle mechanism once every few years.

   http://www.merrillmfg.com/product/01-YardHydrants/C-1000/features.html

   Scott.

   Always remember those first immortal words that Adam said to Eve, “You’d better stand back, I don’t know how big this thing’s going to get.”

3. 
   DanH | Mar 08, 2007 07:15pm | #3

   Make sure the unit you get is deep enough for your frost line, and a hair deeper, since the metal conducts cold down. Pay attention to drainage -- if it can't drain it'll freeze up.

   Of course, also make sure the line feeding it is below the frost line.

   So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
4. 
   DanH | Mar 08, 2007 07:16pm | #4

   Also, of course, make sure there's a cutoff at the other end. Shouldn't need it, but sometimes having it assures you don't.

   So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
5. 
   Kgmz | Mar 08, 2007 10:12pm | #5

   Acoording to the code in almost all jurisdictions these type of yard hydrants are no longer legal if hooked up to any water lines that lead to the house or a potable drinking supply anymore unless you have a backflow prevention device intalled.

   You either have to have backflow prevention or what is called a sanitary yard hydrant.

   The reason is that contaminants can enter the water supply through the weep hole at the bottom of the hydrant.

1. 
   paul42 | Mar 08, 2007 10:48pm | #6

   My wife is asking for three or four of these in our yard.  The plan is to put them all on the same 3/4" line.  There will be a timer and a solenoid valve at the house to shut them all off, so adding a back flow valve doesn't seem like a big deal.

    

    

1. 
   Jeff_Clarke | Mar 09, 2007 12:38am | #7

   Woodford Iowa model - made since the 1930's

   http://www.woodfordmfg.com/Woodford/Yard_Hydrant_Pages/modely34.htm

   BTW depending upon length they're about $175 per

    

   Jeff

   Edited 3/8/2007 4:39 pm ET by Jeff_Clarke

1. 
   paul42 | Mar 09, 2007 12:44am | #8

   They do seem to be one of the better brands - but not quite that expensive

   http://www.jacobseninc.com/hydrants.htm

    

    

1. 
   Jeff_Clarke | Mar 09, 2007 12:53am | #9

   Well ... http://www.plumbingsupply.com/woodfordyardhydrants.html it depends on the pipe size, model number and other factors, including (I guess) where you buy it.  If you're going to run more than one at a time you may need a bigger pipe.

   Jeff

   Edited 3/8/2007 4:55 pm ET by Jeff_Clarke

6. 
   maggie2142 | Mar 09, 2007 01:36am | #10

   I put one of these in 2 years ago, ... no problems so far, but repair parts are readily available.
   http://www1.acehardwareoutlet.com/(ugs2wd3ryc3ir434bguh5t45)/productDetails.aspx?SKU=45171