Treadle pump
Pressure treadle pump – MAHASOA and GAGERA
The metallic pressure treadle pump is operated by human feet and can lift the water from a maximum depth of 7 meters. It supply water under pressure over a distance of 100 meters on flat area and can also raise the water 7 meters above the level of the pump. The main application is for small scale irrigation purpose.
The context
In many countries the farmers use a rope and a bucket for the pumping , the water application and the distribution to their crop which require an intensive labour and high level of human power use.
The access of groundwater (shallow well and tube well), the important loss of water in open channels, the irrigation on undulating ground and a field above of water point are the constraints encountered by the farmers.
The lack of appropriate and low cost lifting devices reduce the possibility for a farmer to increase his crop field and revenue.
The pressure treadle pump is a significant revolution in small scale irrigation in the developing world offering to the poorest people an alternative to increase their chance to improve the cultivation of off season vegetables and generated income.
The technology
Each piston is connected to a treadle. The operator stands on the treadles and presses them up and down in a rhythmic motion. The water with the upward and downward movements is pushed in the delivery pipe through a box valve. In this way it is possible to maintain a pressure in the delivery pipe that can be used to lead water in a PVC pipe or a lay flat hose or to run sprinklers.
Two model of pressure pumps are available.
MAHASOA
This particularly design is adapted for lower water table and to the need for pressurised delivery systems to overcome the various topography of fields and to get a compact portable pump . This design is close of the design of the ApproTEC super money maker pump. The main differences come from the valves box and seals leather.
GAGERA
This model is based on the Enterprise Works pump design developed in Niger where the water table is deep (7 m) and the need of pressure not so important because of the flat land.
The raw material used for the construction of the frame is in galvanised pipe of 40/49 mm (Gagera) and 26/34 mm (Mahasoa) , but it can be change according to the availability and the price of raw materials ( square tube). The whole pump is produced in local workshops.
The application
The pressure pump is widely used for irrigation purpose. To lift the water from shallow well or tube well from a maximum depth of 7 meters and the water surface (river, channel, lake, spring). To transport the water under pressure by lay flat hose or PVC pipe on a long distance depending of the high of the outlet application. To apply the water in a fine spray like rainfall and to pressurise water to sprinklers, drippers and elevated tanks. The similar pressure pumps are used in Niger, Mali, Burkina-Faso, Senegal, Zambia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, India.
The facts
MAHASOA
| Range of depth | 0 – 6 m |
| Yield | 6 Cubic/m at 1 m depth 3 Cubic/m at 3 m depth 2 Cubic/m at 6 m depth |
| Total head | 13 m |
| Potential irrigated area | 0.1 to 0.5 hectares depending of the depth and the climate conditions |
| Inlet diameter | 40 mm |
| Outlet diameter | 25 mm to 40 mm |
| Cylinders | two 130 mm in diameter |
| Stroke variable | between 0 and 160 mm |
| Weight | about 22 kg |
| Cost | €55 – €70 depending on country of implementation |
GAGERA
| Range of depth | 0 – 7 m |
| Yield | 4,5 Cubic/m at 1 m depth Cubic/m at 3 m depth Cubic/m at 7 m depth |
| Total head | 8 m |
| Potential irrigated area | 0.1 to 0.5 hectares depending of the depth and the climate conditions |
| Inlet diameter | 50 mm |
| Outlet diameter | 50 mm |
| Cylinders | two 107 mm in diameter |
| Stroke variable | between 0 and 220 mm |
| Weight | about 26 kg |
| Cost | €70 – €55 depending on country of implementation |
Training and introduction
PRACTICA can assist local manufacturers with starting up production. For training of manufactures, PRACTICA has developed a set of workshop drawings.
PRACTICA also gives assistance on the strategy of introduction, the distribution networks, the marketing and promotional activities, the social and economic impacts. PRACTICA has developed strategies and operational tools to facilitate the dissemination of the treadle pump.
