[[Image:counterpoiseLift_shadoof2.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A shadoof in Eastern Romania. Photo: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Shaduf-romania.JPG Shaduf-romania.]]]
Also known as ''shadoof'', ''shaduf'', ''dhenkli'' or ''picottach'', the counterpoise lift consists of a long wooden pole and is generally used for lifting water from unlined wells, streams or ponds and for irrigating small fields. A weight, often a large stone or a ball of dried mud or a basket filled with small stones is fixed at the shorter end of the pole to counterpoise the weight of a filled bucket which is attached to the longer arm of the pole with a rope. The bucket is emptied by a sideways tipping motion. This device is used to lift water up to a height of 1 - 3 metres. About 2000 litres of water can be lifted from the depth of 2 to 3 metres in one hour.
''Don'' is also a similar type of device which is used in west Bengal and neighbouring areas to lift water up to a height of 1.2 meters. It consists of a boat shaped trough, closed at one end and open at the other, made of wood or galvanized iron sheets. The trough oscillates on a fixed centre and its closed end is alternately dipped into water and raised. The water flows into the field channel through the open end of the trough.
==Suitable conditions==
==Reference manuals, videos, and links==
* Video: [http://youtu.be/bZ9gJAWvHxo Working Shaduf.]
==Acknowledgements==
* [http://agricoop.nic.in/dacdivision/Machinery1/chap7.pdf Water lifting devices.] Agricoop.nic.in
* [http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=22&ved=0CDAQFjABOBQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.inseda.org%2FAdditional%2520material%2FCD%2520-%2520Agriculture%2520and%2520Environment%2520Education%2F38-Farm%2520Machinery%2520%26%2520Implements%2520%28FMIS%29%2FWater%2520Lifting%2520Devices-262.doc&ei=xqOgT4OUEvLXiQLjn8C_Ag&usg=AFQjCNH78PUUOsJ6l48AAdsaY_Vvwpyjcg&sig2=omUG4MOPxaWmynJ5pAddAQ Water lifting devices.] Inseda.org