Heller-Aller 50L Deep Well Force Pump Installation, Repair & Rebuilding Resource Guide

Meet the Heller-Aller Model 50L

The Heller-Aller 50L Double-Acting Force Pump represents a very different type of water-pumping system from the Heller-Aller PHB and Fig. T pumps.

The PHB and Fig. T contain their working pumping cylinders at or near the pump body and are therefore primarily suited to cistern and shallow-water applications.

The 50L is a deep-well pump.

Its pumping cylinder is installed down inside the well and connected to the pump head by a sucker rod and drop pipe. The above-ground pump handle or windmill mechanism moves the rod, which operates the pumping mechanism within the submerged cylinder.

This design allows the pump to raise water from depths that cannot practically be reached by suction alone.

A Double-Acting Force Pump

The 50L is described as a double-acting force pump.

A properly operating double-acting pumping system moves water during both directions of the pumping cycle rather than depending upon only one productive stroke.

The result is smoother water delivery and greater pumping capacity than would normally be expected from a comparable single-acting hand pump.

Because the 50L is a force pump, water can also be directed through suitable discharge plumbing rather than merely spilling freely from an open pitcher-pump spout.

This makes the pump useful for applications such as:

• Deep water wells
• Farm water systems
• Livestock watering
• Filling storage tanks
• Remote cabins
• Off-grid homes
• Emergency water supplies
• Windmill-powered water systems
• Hand-operated backup water supplies

The Pumping Cylinder Is Down in the Well

Understanding the location of the pumping cylinder is one of the most important concepts when working with the 50L.

The pump head that you see above ground provides the mechanical leverage.

The actual water-lifting cylinder is located below.

A stainless-steel sucker rod connects the pump mechanism to the cylinder. Movement of the pump handle or windmill mechanism causes this rod to reciprocate vertically.

Inside the pumping cylinder, valves and sealing components direct water upward through the drop pipe.

This arrangement allows atmospheric suction limitations at ground level to be avoided because the cylinder works from down near or below the water level.

Why a 50L Can Pump From a Deep Well

A conventional shallow-well pitcher pump attempts to pull water upward by creating reduced pressure in a suction pipe.

Atmospheric pressure limits how far water can practically be raised in this manner.

A deep-well system approaches the problem differently.

Instead of trying to pull water the entire distance from the surface, the pumping cylinder is placed down in the well where it can push or lift water upward through the drop pipe.

The depth capability of the complete installation therefore depends upon the cylinder placement, pump configuration, rod system, well conditions, and the amount of physical effort or mechanical power available.

Hand Pump or Windmill Operation

One of the traditional advantages of the 50L is its ability to work in a manually operated or wind-powered water system.

The pump may be equipped for hand operation while an optional windmill connection can allow a suitable windmill to operate the pumping mechanism.

This reflects the type of farm water systems for which these pumps became well known.

Long before dependable rural electricity was universally available, mechanically powered well pumps supplied livestock tanks, household storage tanks, and farm water systems.

The same principles continue to make the 50L useful for modern off-grid and backup water systems.

Adjustable Stroke

The 50L pumping mechanism can be configured for different stroke lengths.

Current pump configurations include 4-inch, 6-inch, or 9-inch stroke settings.

Stroke length influences the amount of cylinder movement per pumping cycle and must be matched appropriately with the installation and pumping equipment.

When restoring an existing installation, do not automatically change the stroke simply because another setting is available.

Cylinder size, pumping depth, rod loading, windmill configuration, and intended use should all be considered.

Well Casing and Mounting

The 50L can be installed with different well-cap or mounting arrangements depending upon the well.

Current configurations include well caps and platform-style mounting options.

One advantage of this type of installation is that the well can remain properly capped rather than requiring the old-style open or below-grade well pit arrangements once commonly used with some pump systems.

Where the pump, drop pipe, or well cap forms part of the sanitary well closure, the installation should follow applicable well-construction and potable-water requirements.

Understanding Static Water Level

When planning a 50L installation, the total depth of the well is not the only important measurement.

You should distinguish between:

Total well depth — the distance from the surface to the bottom of the well.

Static water level — the distance from the surface to the water when the well is at rest.

Pumping water level — the water level while the well is being pumped.

Cylinder depth — the location of the pump cylinder below the surface.

The cylinder must remain properly positioned relative to the available water supply.

A well may be several hundred feet deep while its static water level is much closer to the surface.

Conversely, a well with an inadequate recovery rate can experience substantial drawdown while pumping.

Sucker Rod and Drop Pipe

The sucker rod transfers the mechanical movement of the pump head to the pumping cylinder.

The drop pipe carries pumped water upward.

These components should not be considered simply miscellaneous plumbing.

Their length, condition, alignment, connections, weight, and support directly affect pump performance.

Loose rod connections, deteriorated pipe, damaged threads, excessive friction, misalignment, or improper installation can produce symptoms that appear to originate in the pump head.

For this reason, troubleshooting a deep-well hand pump requires evaluating the entire pumping system, not only the visible pump.

Servicing the Pump Cylinder

Eventually, wear parts inside the deep-well cylinder can require service.

Normal wear may involve:

• Pump leathers or seals
• Valve components
• Valve seats
• Rod connections
• Cylinder components
• Gaskets
• Packing
• Bushings or linkage components

A pump that gradually loses capacity does not automatically require replacement.

The Heller-Aller design was built around serviceable mechanical components.

Many older pumps can be returned to dependable operation by locating the actual source of the problem and replacing the worn component.

When the Pump Must Be Pulled From the Well

One of the major differences between servicing a 50L and rebuilding a shallow-well pitcher pump is access to the pumping cylinder.

Many repairs to the pump head can be performed above ground.

Cylinder repairs require the drop pipe and sucker rod assembly to be raised sufficiently to reach the cylinder.

Depending upon depth and configuration, these assemblies may be heavy.

Proper pipe-handling equipment should be used so the pipe and cylinder cannot accidentally fall back into the well.

For deeper installations, professional well-pump service equipment may be appropriate.

Diagnosing Poor Water Delivery

When a 50L stops delivering the expected amount of water, begin with the simplest possibilities rather than immediately pulling the entire cylinder.

Check the pump head and linkage for excessive movement, loose fasteners, broken components, or disconnected rod parts.

Observe whether normal rod movement occurs as the handle operates.

If the above-ground mechanism operates correctly, possible problems farther down the system may include worn cylinder leathers, damaged valves, a disconnected sucker rod, leaking drop pipe, insufficient cylinder submergence, excessive well drawdown, or an obstruction.

Understanding which component performs each function makes troubleshooting considerably easier.

Freeze Protection

Freeze protection for a deep-well force pump must be designed into the installation.

The current 50L configuration can provide freeze protection when the force system and drainage arrangement are installed sufficiently below frost exposure so water can drain from vulnerable above-ground sections.

Simply having a deep cylinder does not guarantee that the pump will not freeze.

Any section of pipe, pump casting, discharge plumbing, hose connection, or valve that traps water above the protected depth can still freeze.

Installations in freezing climates should therefore be designed so exposed portions can drain completely.

Potable Water and Sanitation

A water pump that supplies drinking water is part of the potable-water system.

During installation and repair, keep drop pipe, sucker rod, pump components, tools, and fittings as clean as practical.

Avoid placing components directly on soil or other contaminated surfaces before lowering them into the well.

Whenever the well system has been opened for significant servicing, use an appropriate well-disinfection procedure before returning the system to drinking-water service.

Local well regulations and public-health requirements should always take precedence.

Identifying an Original Heller-Aller 50L

Before purchasing replacement parts, verify that the pump is actually a Heller-Aller Model 50L.

Many older farm and windmill pump heads have similar shapes and mechanical arrangements.

Visual similarity alone does not mean components are interchangeable.

Look for model identification or Heller-Aller markings and compare the actual components and dimensions before ordering replacement parts.

Factory replacement parts remain available for genuine Heller-Aller 50L pumps.

Repair Rather Than Replace

One of the strongest reasons for maintaining an older Heller-Aller pump is its repairable construction.

Modern equipment is often replaced as an entire assembly when one component fails.

The traditional 50L was designed so individual mechanical components could be inspected and serviced.

Castings, linkage components, valve parts, cylinder parts, discharge components, and other service pieces can be addressed separately.

That makes rebuilding practical when the major pump structure remains sound.

Cottage Craft Works 50L Resource Series

This 50L resource section is designed to take the owner from basic identification through complete installation, troubleshooting, and rebuilding.

The individual guides will cover:

Resource 1 — Meet the Heller-Aller 50L: How It Works, Deep-Well Planning & Installation Guide

History, intended applications, differences between shallow-well and deep-well pumps, and how the 50L fits into traditional hand- and windmill-powered water systems.

Resource 2 — How to Measure Well Depth, Select a Hand-Pump Cylinder & Plan a Safe Installation

Understanding the pump head, sucker rod, drop pipe, deep-well cylinder, valve action, double-acting pumping cycle, and water path.

Resource 3 — Heller-Aller 50L Deep Well Force Pump Installation, Repair & Rebuilding Resource Guide

Identification of the pump head, handle and linkage, stuffing-box components, sucker rod, discharge components, drop pipe, cylinder, valves, seals, and common replacement parts.

Resource 4 — Heller-Aller 50L Windmill Setup, Adjustment & Maintenance

Connecting the 50L to a suitable windmill, selecting stroke length, checking linkage, reducing unnecessary mechanical load, maintenance, and troubleshooting wind-powered installations.

Key Takeaways

• The Heller-Aller 50L is a deep-well force pump, not a conventional shallow-well pitcher pump.
• The actual pumping cylinder is installed down in the well.
• A sucker rod transfers movement from the pump head to the pumping cylinder.
• Water travels upward through the drop pipe.
• The 50L uses a double-acting pumping system.
• The pump can be configured for hand or windmill operation.
• Current configurations permit different stroke settings, including 4-inch, 6-inch, and 9-inch strokes.
• Static water level, pumping water level, cylinder depth, and well recovery should all be considered during installation.
• Many pumping problems can be repaired by servicing individual components rather than replacing the entire pump.
• Genuine Heller-Aller replacement parts should be selected only after verifying the pump model.
• Deep-well servicing may require safely pulling the sucker rod, drop pipe, and cylinder.
• Potable-water installations should be properly protected from contamination and sanitized after significant service.