===Construction, operations and maintenance===
[[Image:Rope_pump_action_diagram.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Rope pump| Rope pump]], An illustration of the pumping action of a rope pump. However, this drawing needs adaptation. The pipe diameter at and above the Tee piece should be larger than the pump pipe. This is essential for good functioning of the pump. Now most of the water will come out at the top!]]
[[Image:Rope_pump.PNG|thumb|right|200px|[[Rope pump | Rope pump]], (Victory model) on a hand-dug of 20 meters deep well, made in a local workshop in northern Ghana. Photo: Netherlands Water Partnership. ]]
With different depthsdeeper wells, different sizes of smaller diameter pump pipes are needed, otherwise the pumping becomes to too heavy. See manuals on websites of [http://www.practicafoundation.nl/library/manuals/ Practica Foundation] and , [http://www.connectinternational.nl/english/smartmodules/smart-tec/pumps/ropepumpproduction Connect International], and [http://www.ropepumps.org ropepumps.org].<br>
Many different types of rope pump exist, powered by hand, bicycle, wind, horse, etc.
Similar to piston pumps, a cement slab and a good soak away are needed to avoid splash water becoming a cause for pollutionand recontamination of the water in the well.
====Design====
* Pumping depth (Lift): 0 to 30m 35 m * Cylinder diameter: 28 (pump pipe) 32 mm for 1 to 10 metres deep, 25 mm for 10 to 42 20 metres deep and 19 mm, depending on depthfor 20 to 35 metres deep* PistonPistons: Plastic Rubber or HD PE (plastic) pistons spaced at 1 m* Yield: (75 50 watt input, ) at 5 a 10 m head) ~ 4.5 the yield is 2 m³/hour * Population/field area served: Max 150 people or irrigation of 0.25 1 hectare * Type of well: dug well or of 3 metres to boreholeof 6 to 20 cm diameter
The rope Rope pump can be produced with made in any country since the design can be adapted to the materials that are locally available . After due training it can be produced, by small or medium metal companies or blacksmiths that have a welding machine and standard materials hand tools. Although simple does not mean easy. It is essential to build the pump with 10 basic design rules. (See [http://www.ropepumps.org ropepumps.org FAQs). In general, training is needed for good quality in production and local skills, such as an artisan workshopimportant, good installation.
The pump frame is welded from made of galvanized pipes or mild steel. The handle axle is a mild galvanized steel pipe with metal bushings (some design use there are also designs with ball bearings, either ball bearings or wooden bearings, other employ a steel bushingbushings). The pulley wheel is assembled by fitting made of the cut-off sides of a tyre used car tire and mounted with clamps and spokes on the handle. The wheel should have a rim, which generates a nice sharp 'v' shape which provides to get a good traction on the rope. The ropes are made of Polyethylene, Polypropylene, or Polyamide fibres fibers varying from Ø 4 to Ø 8 mm. Natural fibres fibers are not suitable, as they will lengthen stretch when wet, and degrade too fast. The pistons are made of the side of the siude of a used car tire or injection moulded plastic with no sealmolded HD polyethylene. The rising main are PVC pipes ranging from with wall thickness of 1.5 to 2 mm and diameters of 20-50mm diameter to 50 mm (depending on liftdepth of the water level). The guide box can be is made of concrete (with a ceramic insert (some designs use cast in piece or small glass bottlesbottle as turning point), galvanized pipe or made of wood with a pvc lining. The installation of the Rope pump is easy and does not need any lifting equipment or special tools. The pumps are generally installed in dug wells but also versions that fit into boreholes are availablePVC turning point.
====Maintenance====