Frost Free Yard Hydrants

[farmer2009]

I have some yard hydrants that need replacing. All I'm finding locally is the cheap China hydrants. I was wanting to buy a good brand that's prices reasonably. An Internet search turns up cheap ones and expensive ones. Does anyone have any recommendations of brands and where to get them?

 

[Gunny]

I've had good luck with Woodford hydrants but the last time I needed one nobody around here carried them, just the Chinese stuff, but I did find them online. You only need to look at a Woodford and one from China to see the difference between them.

 

[Loadstar]

Merrill

 

[GPintheMitten]

I found this business local to me that carries Woodford frost free hydrants.

Home | Michigan Pipe & Valve

They discount them considerably. I think I paid about $110 a piece but they list much higher.

Look for a similar large supplier in your area.

 

[JRobyn]

DON'T get the blue ones they sell at Lowes!! "Simmons" IIRC. I've got six of them! The lifting mechanism is not very robust.

- Jay

 

[farmer2009]

Thanks guys for the input. I'll look at the woodfords and the Merrill's.

I wasn't impressed with the ones from Lowes or Rural King or TSC either.

 

[jwstewar]

We bought 2 of the Simmons from ebay fall of 2013 for $85 for both including shipping. Installed one inside and one outside our barn. They are both used every day multiple times a day with our goats. Only had one issue with them and that was the bolt that goes through the handle to the valve. The nut came off the bolt and let the bolt slip out. Replace it with a nylon lock nut and they've been fine since. No signs of leakage or anything. We would buy them again - at least so far with only about 18 months on them.

 

[Paddy]

a Word of caution with yard hydrants. they can contaminate the water. When in the "off" position the drain cock let's the water from the stand pipe drain out. If your yard is with a bunch of clay soils, the hole stays filled with ground water. This means the stand pipe has some level of ground water in it. Once you turn on the water, drain is blocked and fresh water pushes up the nasty ground water.

Up to this point, you can just say, "don't drink the water until it runs a spell." But if by chance you had a hole connected and it was off, it could back siphon into your drinking water. Check valve solves this but no one does.

 

[Loadstar]

a Word of caution with yard hydrants. they can contaminate the water. When in the "off" position the drain cock let's the water from the stand pipe drain out. If your yard is with a bunch of clay soils, the hole stays filled with ground water. This means the stand pipe has some level of ground water in it. Once you turn on the water, drain is blocked and fresh water pushes up the nasty ground water.

Up to this point, you can just say, "don't drink the water until it runs a spell." But if by chance you had a hole connected and it was off, it could back siphon into your drinking water. Check valve solves this but no one does.

No a check valve doesn't solve it a back flow preventer solves it.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Good point about the vacuum on frost freeze hydrants. I loosen or disconnect any hose to break the vacuum.