A well is a dug hole into the ground for drawing water, oil or gas. If you require a well to supply water for home use or irrigation, you may have to construct a deep well. Instead of digging or driving a shallow well, you can drill a deep one using horses and a horse-drawn rig.
Instructions
1. Carry out a geological study to locate the right place for the well. If it is for water, it should be drilled in soil or soft rock. Review topography maps and nationwide geologic and hydro-geologic maps.
2. Select a location that is away from septic tanks, sewer lines, farm run-off, animal waste or any structure that can contaminate your water sources. A preferred distance should be about 100 feet from an animal yard and 150 feet from a cesspool or drywell.
3. Contact local geologists or water experts to determine whether the water from the location you have selected is fit for human consumption. Have them determine the recharge rate or flow of water in your area and find out how far underground water is located. This will help you to decide on the size of the well you should construct as well as the statistic level of your well once drilled.
4. Dig a shallow hole 5 to 10 feet deep with an augur or posthole digger. Fill the hole with water and allow it to percolate into the soil to soften it. This will ensure that the drill rig penetrates easily into the ground.
5. Harness the horse to a horse-drawn spudder drill rig. This type of rig uses a horse on a treadle, a lever operated by foot.
6. Direct the horse's legs to step on the treadle. Once they step on it repeatedly (as though they are trotting), a heavy wheel mounted on a rotating shaft will begin to move enabling the rig to dig into the ground
7. Direct the drill rod into the hole using your hands. This is to ensure that the well drill penetrates sand, gravel, clay and solid rock formation underground in straight vertical line
8. Control the speed by which the horses step on the treadle. If the drill turns out too fast or pushes too hard, the drill bit may break or wear out. On the other hand, if it does not push hard enough, it will not penetrate solid rock formation. Keep a close watch on the drilling process until water you hit the water.
Tags: into ground, drill penetrates, ensure that, feet from, rock formation
