Yield: 0.25 litres/s at 10 m.
The simplest and cheapest method of lifting groundwater remains a rope and bucket in a wide, shallow well. This type of well can operate up to a depth of 100 metres, although they rarely exceed 45 metres. The rope and bucket lifter can be operated by humans or animals. Human operated rope and bucket lifters typically raise 10-15 litres/min from depths of 10-15 metres whereas an animal water lifter can raise 150 litres/ min from 15 metres. In the animal driven rope and bucket lifter, the rope attached to the bucket is passed over a pulley and fixed to the animal. The animal is driven down on an earthen ramp sloped at an angle of 5-10 degrees in order to lift the water.
A self-emptying container or mohte can be used in place of the bucket. The system consists of a leather container, shaped like a funnel. The container can typically hold between 100 to 150 litres. This arrangement can discharge about 130 litres/ min at depths of up to 9 metres.
The rope and bucket lifter can also be adapted to include two buckets which are raised and lowered alternately. In this case the pulling animal moves in a circular path and with the help of central rotating lever, rope and pulley arrangement the buckets move up and down. Each bucket has a carrying capacity of up to 70 litres. The buckets have a hinged flap at the bottom, which acts as a valve. Guide rods are provided in the well to control the movement of the buckets. The buckets are automatically filled and emptied during operation. This device can lift about 230 litres /min from depths of up to 5 metres.
====Maintenance====
The bucket is lowered and raised by playing out and pulling in the rope, or by rotating the windlass. Care must be taken to prevent the rope or bucket from be- coming soiled. Preventive maintenance consists of greasing the bearings of the windlass or pulley.
Small repairs are limited to patching holes in the bucket and hose, reconnecting the hinge of the bucket, and fixing the windlass bearings or handle. All small repairs can be done by local people, and with tools and materials available in the community or area. Major repairs and replacements mainly consist of replacing the bucket, hose, rope, or part or all of the windlass. Woven nylon ropes may last for two years, but twined nylon or sisal ropes last only a few months. A good-quality hose may last for over two years, and most buckets last a year (depending on the material and quality). When people use their own rope and bucket, no extra organization is required. For community wells, a community committee usually organizes the maintenance and cleaning of the well, maintenance of the windlass, etc. Most repairs can be paid with ad hoc fund-raising.