Treadle pumps
Practical Action
Others involved in treadle pump technology
International Development Enterprises (IDE)
10403 West Colfax
Suite 500
Lakewood, Colorado 80215
Tel: 303-232-4336
Fax:303-232-8346
Email: ide@ideorg.org
Previously known as Appropriate Technology International who developed a treadle pump design
which was described in the publication produced by Practical Action Publishing. How to Make
and Use the Treadle Irrigation Pump by Carl Bielenberg and Hugh Allen, ISBN 1 85339 312 6,
1995.
IDE introduced low-cost irrigation pumps to South Asia.
http://www.ideorg.org/OurTechnologies/TreadlePump.aspx
Treadle Pumps
Features of 3.5 inch treadle pump (metal barrels) with metal treadles
• It has a 3.5-inch barrel diameter.
• Made of sheet metal, the pump weighs approximately 14 kg.
• It is ideal for lifting water from water table depth ranging from 15 feet to 20 feet
(maximum lift 25 feet).
• Water output is approximately 0.8 to 1.25 litres per second.
Features of the Pressure Pump
• The Pressure Treadle Pump is a variation on the standard treadle pump that allows water
to be lifted above the level of the pump itself. This greatly increases the versatility of the
pump:
• water can be lifted to elevated plots of land
• It can be pumped through hoses over long distances (up to 500 m)
• It works with total head 55feet with maximum 20feet suction lift.
• It can be used to fill the elevated tanks of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems.
• The discharge output is 3000-5000 liters per hour depending upon the depth.
The Pressure Treadle pump retains the advantages of the standard Treadle Pump, including low
cost (albeit slightly more expensive than the standard version), efficient foot-powered operation,
locally manufactured, easily maintained, and the ability to generate significant additional income
for smallholders.
• It is a double cylinder and double acting model, both downward stroke and upward stroke
delivers water and optimum utilization of energy spent is achieved.
• A portable self-contained unit sits at ground level.
• Flexibility in installation, it can be moved from one location to another, without any
permanent installation on a single well.
5