Pump Jacks Kept the Water Flowing

By Leslie C. Mcmanus
Published on June 9, 2015
1 / 4
The Myers self-lubricating pump jack, built by F.E. Myers & Bro., Ashland, Ohio. “The most durable pump jack on the market,” company literature proclaimed.
The Myers self-lubricating pump jack, built by F.E. Myers & Bro., Ashland, Ohio. “The most durable pump jack on the market,” company literature proclaimed.
2 / 4
Pump jacks made it easier for farmers and ranchers to provide water to livestock, as shown in this promotional illustration from Baker Mfg. Co., Evansville, Wis.
Pump jacks made it easier for farmers and ranchers to provide water to livestock, as shown in this promotional illustration from Baker Mfg. Co., Evansville, Wis.
3 / 4
Unrestored pump jacks in Tom Plier’s collection. “My granddad had one 60 years ago,” he says. “That’s how he pumped water for his cows.
Unrestored pump jacks in Tom Plier’s collection. “My granddad had one 60 years ago,” he says. “That’s how he pumped water for his cows.
4 / 4
Tom does his own restoration work. His collection includes more than 60 pump jacks restored to running condition. Most weigh between 70 and 127 pounds.
Tom does his own restoration work. His collection includes more than 60 pump jacks restored to running condition. Most weigh between 70 and 127 pounds.

Before electricity came to the farm, providing water for livestock was a perpetual challenge. “If the wind didn’t blow, you had two choices,” says Tom Plier. “You could either pump water by hand, using the pump handle, or you could get a pump jack going on a stationary gas engine. If a cow drinks 30 gallons a day, and if you had a herd of 10 or 20, that gets to be a big job.”

For large volume needs, like water for livestock, windmills were long used as a power source for well pumps. As stationary gas engines became commonplace, they took over the job, eliminating the stockman’s uneasy relationship with wind power. Later still, electric motors powered pump jacks.

In use, two “walking sticks” are attached to the pump stem at the upper part of the pump jack. The bottom part of a stick is attached to each side of the pump jack. Depending on the unit’s design, the walking sticks move up and down or in a circular motion as the pump jack (powered by an external power source, like a gas engine or electric motor) operates.

Collector interest on the upswing

Tom, who lives near Wautoma, west of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, collects pump jacks. “There was a pump jack and water pump on the property when I moved here,” he says. “I thought it would be interesting to set it up over the well. It just took off from there.”

Collectors have been slow to warm to pump jacks. “They have not been a very popular item,” Tom says. “But interest is going up tremendously. Three years ago I went to a big swap meet at Baraboo, Wisconsin, and I found four. Last year I found seven there. This year, I got nine. Some of the vendors said they’d never seen so many pump jacks.”

Online Store Logo
Need Help? Call 1-866-624-9388