Replacing frost free head

[denis4x4]

You can use so much JB Weld! I cannot find a manufacture name on this handle. Installed about 20 years ago and I don't remember the depth. Can I turn the water source off, remove the head, cap the pipe and braze the crack? Otherwise, it will cost me a untold bucks to get a mini X to dig it up.

 

[larry4406]

Says Woodford right on it.

They make good stuff.

 

[MovingAlong]

You can use so much JB Weld! I cannot find a manufacture name on this handle. Installed about 20 years ago and I don't remember the depth. Can I turn the water source off, remove the head, cap the pipe and braze the crack? Otherwise, it will cost me a untold bucks to get a mini X to dig it up.

Doesn't it unscrew from right here:


Looks like a standard Yard Hydrant... or maybe similar internally to the U150 freezeless model and could be rebuilt on top without bothering what's below.

Curious what's attached to the discharge though. Wondering if that could have caused your troubles in the first place.

 

[larry4406]

Doesn't it unscrew from right here:


Looks like a standard Yard Hydrant... or maybe similar internally to the U150 freezeless model and could be rebuilt on top without bothering what's below.

Curious what's attached to the discharge though. Wondering if that could have caused your troubles in the first place.

I am thinking the clap trap on the discharge end prevented it from draining and led to the freeze cracking.

 

[tarmy]

Yep…get a shovel. Mine are 4 feet down…start digging. I have replaced one, dug by hand. 125 bucks for the replacement….put pea gravel around the bottom so it drains well or the head will freeze again.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

You should be able to purchase just the head. Probably go ahead and replace the seals as well.

 

[jack stand]

....and never leave anything attached to the spigot in freezing temps. That spout would have been dry without that additional "plumbing" screwed into it.
The rod that the handle operates is to the valve at the bottom and below the frost level in the bottom of the ditch. Everything above it drains out with valve closure as long as it's open to the atmosphere. Like in no hose or homeowner "plumbing" beyond the spigot end.

 

[BillK]

I cannot find a manufacture name on this handle.

????????

https://www.woodfordmfg.com/Woodford/

 

[roc_on_the_rocks]

????????

https://www.woodfordmfg.com/Woodford/

Attention span is getting shorter and shorter these days...

In OP's defense, that WOODFORD signage was not accompanied by any sound or flashing notification!!

 

[larry4406]

????????

https://www.woodfordmfg.com/Woodford/

Attention span is getting shorter and shorter these days...

In OP's defense, that WOODFORD signage was not accompanied by any sound or flashing notification!!

Post 2 and the OP has not responded since yet has logged in after his posting.....

 

[denis4x4]

Post 2 and the OP has not responded since yet has logged in after his posting.....

I sent the same photos to Woodford and got a response back yesterday morning from Eagle Mountain in Colorado Springs. The replacement head was part #RK-W34-HA and was $150. Should have it installed over the weekend. No need to bring in a backhoe or do any shovel work. I remember at the time that I installed this, I passed on a Chinese copy on Amazon and bought the Woodford at a farm supply store. Glad I spent the extra bucks on an American made product.

 

[Fav Onefour]

Post 2 and the OP has not responded since yet has logged in after his posting.....

I sent the same photos to Woodford and got a response back yesterday morning from Eagle Mountain in Colorado Springs. The replacement head was part #RK-W34-HA and was $150. Should have it installed over the weekend. No need to bring in a backhoe or do any shovel work. I remember at the time that I installed this, I passed on a Chinese copy on Amazon and bought the Woodford at a farm supply store. Glad I spent the extra bucks on an American made product.

Thank you for the follow up.
You also mention something that I think we've forgotten about over the years. Woodford still has parts and the products can be fixed with parts. In the big picture those things are important.

I messed up years ago when putting in a frost free spigot. I picked up a sorta spendy ****** at one of those big box stores. The air relief valve started failing pretty early on. I went back to the big box store for a repair kit and guess how that went. One of the helpful staffers even mentioned that people usually don't repair the faucets, they just replace them.
I ended up going to my local plumbing supply shop to pick up a good assembly that still has parts readily available. Ironically, the faucet has been fine for years.

 

[PCustoms]

Thank you for the follow up.
You also mention something that I think we've forgotten about over the years. Woodford still has parts and the products can be fixed with parts. In the big picture those things are important.

I messed up years ago when putting in a frost free spigot. I picked up a sorta spendy ****** at one of those big box stores. The air relief valve started failing pretty early on. I went back to the big box store for a repair kit and guess how that went. One of the helpful staffers even mentioned that people usually don't repair the faucets, they just replace them.
I ended up going to my local plumbing supply shop to pick up a good assembly that still has parts readily available. Ironically, the faucet has been fine for years.

Aren't vacuum breakers universal?

 

[Fav Onefour]

Aren't vacuum breakers universal?

Garden hose thread screw on version is universal.
If the integrated version is universal, I'm an idiot. I've used branded replacements on that style.