Simmons frost hydrant valves are the best
http://www.simmonsmfg.com/index.php/our-products/hydrants/
The shaft can be removed from the top with out digging up to replace the valve in future
Dig down deeper and place clean stone under so water drains out weep hole and not freeze
You can use a compression fitting by male thread to screw in to valve and compresion on water line
Simmons is made not far from me, but it is not the best. Truthfully, its ****. I had one that the seal became stuck, never could extract it, it came off the end of the operator rod, I even tried a tap on an extension screwed into it to grab it but ended up replacing it. In a hurry so I ended up with another Simmons.
Edit: to clarify, the rubber plug that is the valve stuck in the closed position, the rubber has a threaded brass insert molded into it, and when I raised the handle, the rubber separated from the brass insert. I then disconnected the rod, unscrewed the top, removed the packing and gland, pulled the rod and found the brass insert still on the rod. I tried screwing a tap right into the rubber to grip it, but to no avail.
All of these yard hydrants except for the Baker have similar design insides, with a large rubber plug that closes off the water, and opens the side hole, and when the handle is raised, the side hole is plugged by the sliding rubber plug and the water passage is opened.
The Baker uses a plastic spool valve with O-rings, a balanced system with low handle pressures.
Woodford is the same design as Simmons, probably no better than the Simmons.
While I have never used one, I am going to take a stab and say the
Baker Magnum yard hydrant is probably the best design.
Quoting the web site:
The unique spool valve design and simple construction of the Monitor Magnum frost proof yard hydrant provides dependable operation and easy servicing in any weather.
The "Balanced Valve;" allows smooth, easy flow adjustment, since the water flow does not oppose valve movement, as in other yard hydrants.
Corrosion resistant brass valve body, acetyl spool and 3/4" Sch. 80 PVC wet pipe contain the water flow, extending hydrant life.
The elimination of a packing nut, valve rod and linkage adjustment eliminates most of the maintenance and repair kits required with ordinary hydrants.
When properly installed, occasional easy replacement of the three standard O-rings should be the only normal maintenance required.
Charles
