Heller-Aller PHB Brass Cylinder Force Pump Repair, Installation & Rebuilding Guide

The Heller-Aller PHB Brass Cylinder Force Pump has remained one of America's most dependable hand-operated water pumps since 1886. Designed for shallow wells and cisterns, the PHB combines the simplicity of a traditional pitcher pump with the ability to deliver water under pressure to sinks, elevated storage tanks, and other locations. This guide explains how the pump works, where it should be installed, how to maintain it, and how to keep it operating for generations.

For nearly 140 years, the Heller-Aller PHB Brass Cylinder Force Pump has provided dependable water wherever electricity is unavailable or a reliable backup water source is needed. Built with heavy-duty cast iron, a seamless brass cylinder, solid brass internal components, and replaceable leather seals, the PHB remains one of the finest manually operated force pumps still manufactured in the United States.

Unlike a traditional open-spout pitcher pump, the PHB is a double-acting force pump capable of both lifting water from a shallow well or cistern and delivering it under pressure through plumbing. This makes it an excellent choice for supplying water to a sink, filling an elevated storage tank for gravity-fed water systems, watering livestock, or providing dependable emergency water during power outages. The pump is designed for shallow wells and cisterns up to approximately 20 feet deep and delivers about one gallon of water every 14 strokes.

This guide has been developed by Cottage Craft Works to provide one comprehensive resource covering the history, operation, installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, rebuilding, and replacement parts for the PHB Brass Cylinder Force Pump. Whether you're installing a brand-new pump or restoring one that's been in service for decades, you'll find the information needed to keep it operating reliably for years to come.