Yard Hydrant Question

Gunny · Oct 1, 2018

You didn't say who mad the hydrant you have, but I've got one yard hydrant down at the farm that is one of the Chinese products. Someone had adjusted the rod too tight and bent it so badly that it would never shut off completely.
One day while walking through TSC I saw their hydrants and thought "what the heck", so I bought an entire 4 foot bury, got home, unscrewed the old top and pulled the whole assembly out, screwed in the new top complete with the rod and all. That was three years ago, haven't had any problems since.

On mine, it took two people to unscrew the old top using a 3 foot and a 2 foot pipe wrench, didn't want to take a chance on busting the fitting down at the line, but other than that, no problems at all

hawkeye08 · Oct 1, 2018

Woodford has better design that does not bind the rod when shutting off. I have not found a local source for Woodford yet, but will be buying several to replace the ones I have that will have issues sooner than later.

Tractor Seabee · Oct 2, 2018

If you have to replace the whole thing and want it fool proof for the future: First have a underground shut off valve close to the riser or at the source connection. Install an street ell onn the hydrant bottom with at least 18" of horizontal galv pipe. Pour a 100# concrete block around the galv pipe. You will never have to dig it up again, just a hole around the riser to keep dirt out of after unscrewing the riser. I pack pea gravel around the riser to facilitate that process. If you do this; guarantee you will never have to remove again. Just the way it is.

Ron