Restoring an old hand pump well

I would like to see if anyone has experience repairing this type of well.

It is broken above ground in at least one place and after some reading it seems like pulling the top off runs the risk of dropping the pump part down into the well. Anyone know of a solid resource on this type of thing, or personal experience?
I would really like to see if there is any water down in the well before worrying about fixing the pump, or replacing it.

In theory, no it shouldnt all fall in the well, the pump is at the bottom and there should be a sucker rod( the rod that moves the pump) that runs all the way to the handle. The piston is probly made of leather seals and will not function and may possibly be seized. I would try to pull the hole thing up pipe and all, might be a chore to do yourself, but at that point you can estimate the water in the hole and the condition of the all the pumps working parts. You can test the depth to the surface of the water with a spool of fishing line and a floating bobber, once you get slack in the line, mark it, pull it up and measure it. You can also judge the depth by using a weight of some sort, i might consider using a rock instead a fishing weight, as all those contain lead but I doubt it would hurt you really. If the pump can not be repaired, look up Simple pumps. I have one as my primary water source, its just a kick @ss modern day hand pump. Cheers!

This page has decent instructions on installing a similar model. They also sell leathers and whatnot. You will probably have to replace the leathers and possibly other components.

http://www.deanbennett.com/setting-a-baker-hand-pump.htm

I watched someone rehab a pump like that - unfortunately I wasn't paying as much attention as I should have...

That's a dandy pump, never seen one quite like it.... Cast iron, so no hammering on it, OK? Gotta use penetrating oil and/or a little heat to loosen stuff... Ought to be information on the internet somewhere. Try the collectors.... Best, TM

Thanks everyone for the info and tips. If I get around to pulllling this out I will certainly post the details. If I owned the property that this is on I would be all over it, but to my landlord it is just a cherished decoration. I plan to feel it out about how she feels about restoration before spending energy on it.
One potential problem is the massive ailanthus trunk that has expanded to be pretty close to the base of the pump, would be a little extra work to cut it back some.

Anyway thanks again.

Zach, I wish I'd of mentioned that to pull it, you might look for a "pump jack," which will help you raise it, and also hold it for you to work on...

Hello all, please advise if I need to start a new thread, I bought an old farm house in Michigan about 8 years ago. It came with a 30ft well that has an electric pump in our basement an a antique hand pump above the well. I haven’t seen the bottom of the well because it goes down about 10’ and appears to be covered by something- it just looks like dirt but idk. I haven’t tried pulling it up because I’m not sure what’s going on down there with it being connected to the pump in our basement. I want to get the hand pump working but I’m puzzled by the cover. I have installed a second 100’ well for drinking water an plan to run new plumbing to the rest of the house. Looking for any insight about the “floor/cover” 10’ down the well.

Hi Jeffrey,

Welcome to Permies.

Hi Jeffrey,

Pictures would help.  I doubt if the hand pump is connected to the plumbing system the electric pump is on. Does the electric pump work with good results?  Have you tried to use the hand pump … and did you prime it?   Have the leathers in the hand pump been replaced?  The issue of debris gets tricky….it may be on top of something else.