DIY water well drilling rig

[nddoublea77]

Good info CCWKen

 

[JRobyn]

Y'all should team up - http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/hydraulics/376020-help-need-design-hydraulic-control.html

A good excuse for a trip to South Africa to compare notes.

 

[Whatswrong]

I have a very good imagination ,I hate to discourage anyone from building stuff ,I have well drilling experience and understand developing a well .The very last thing I would ever
try build is a drilling rig.

Well drillers are not on each corner but I would think $10,000.00 although not extreme may be negotiable or find someone cheaper within range.

 

[mapper]

I don't know how far down you need to go, or what you subsurface conditions are, around here we are on an ice age structure that has layers of clay hardpan and sand and rock. Good water is found at 60-100' depending on the ground elevation. The local drilling companies use both hammer and rotary drills. When our next door neighbor had their well drilled, the driller started with a hammer rig, got down a ways and jammed the drill between a couple of boulders. They tried to pull it loose to no avail. They ended up bringing in a rotary rig to drill the well. The same driller ended up coming back to reseal the well with bentonite clay.
Just saying that even the experienced drillers can encounter some expensive set backs, even on a relatively shallow well (90' as opposed to 300-400')

 

[nddoublea77]

I had a 180 foot well dug 3 years ago on the same property. The top 30 feet is sand. No hard rock. I watched them drill the first one and they did hit a small rock at one point otherwise it was smooth sailing. He did say he used all the bentonite he had with. He also said he hit some decent water at 40 feet but knew to keep going. A fact that I found interesting since he was charging 30 bucks a foot. At 180 we have all the water we could use. The new well is 300-400 feet away from the first one. The well I need to drill is for a small apartment for 1 person. Dont need much flow. I understand that Im inexperienced and it may not work. I have been researching it for a month or so sourcing materials and parts. I didnt ask for opinions on whether or not I should do it, I obviously already am past that point since Im on here looking for help sizing a hydraulic motor. Even the professional well drillers had a "first" well and Im willing to spend the money trying and learning. If I pull it off I will be thousands ahead. That and I wouldn't be opposed to putting in a geothermal furnace then either.

 

[jenkinsph]

Welcome to TBN a place where you get to sort through various opinions. Frequently opinions offered are not what you are looking for but I find that 99% are well intended.

Good luck with your project, you will need it.

 

[Egon]

If the prodject is a definite go talk to hydraulic shops as to your design. Look carefully at set up drilling trucks to help in your design and find out who supplies the various mechanical components. Lots of trailer set up's on Google to look at for ideas and again parts sources. There are a few components, swivel head, that may be best purchased.

 

[Egon]

If the prodject is a definite go talk to hydraulic shops as to your design. Look carefully at set up drilling trucks to help in your design and find out who supplies the various mechanical components. Lots of trailer set up's on Google to look at for ideas and again parts sources. There are a few components, swivel head, that may be best purchased.

An example that will very similar to what your intending to build.
[video]http://www.lonestardrills.com/water-well-drills/hydraulic-series/ls300hplus/[/video]

 

[Sysop]

I would think it would be much simpler and less expensive to feed this small 1 person apartment with a 300-400 water line from the existing well since the existing well already produces "all the water you could use".

You already have a good tap into the aquifer. I see no real reason to open a new hole and double up on pumping/filtration equipment. It seems like a bad investment.

My farm has two full sized houses on it with a single 110' well and filtration system that serves both. I can support at least 9 people (never tried more) living at the farm with no water shortages, even in draught times.

 

[jenkinsph]

I would think it would be much simpler and less expensive to feed this small 1 person apartment with a 300-400 water line from the existing well since the existing well already produces "all the water you could use".

You already have a good tap into the aquifer. I see no real reason to open a new hole and double up on pumping/filtration equipment. It seems like a bad investment.

My farm has two full sized houses on it with a single 110' well and filtration system that serves both. I can support at least 9 people (never tried more) living at the farm with no water shortages, even in draught times.

I agree and was going to mention that very thing but instead read the OP's post above and doesn't seem to want any opinions.