W34 YARD
HYDRANTS
TROUBLESHOOTING AND MAINTENANCE
 |
Water leaks from the nozzle when the
hydrant is off. |
Check the closing force of the handle. The handle, at the end of the
closing stroke, should "snap" closed. Follow instructions below
on how to adjust the linkage.
The plunger (10105) may be worn or damaged and needs to be replaced.
Follow instructions below on how to remove the operating pipe.
If the hydrant leaks just after installation, the valve seat may be
fouled with debris, such as small rocks. The operating pipe will have to
be removed and the hydrant casing flushed.
 |
Packing leak. Water leaks from around
the brass stem below the linkage when the hydrant is on. |
The packing nut will occasionally need to be tightened to stop a
packing leak. Tighten the packing nut until snug and the leak stops.
Persistent leaks will require a new packing (10101).
 |
Hydrant leaks from below the ground
level when the hydrant is on. |
A small leak may be the result of a leak at the drain hole. Replace
the plunger if it is old and worn. Follow instructions below on how
remove the operating pipe. A large leak may be the result of a hole in
the pipe casing caused by electrolysis corrosion. Some soil conditions
can cause premature failure of the pipe casing near the valve body.
Brass pipe is recommended for these conditions.
 |
Hydrant will not drain when shut off. |
Make sure there are no attachments on the nozzle, such as a hose or
vacuum breaker. Improper linkage adjustment (not enough tension) may
prevent the hydrant from draining properly. A poor drain field around
the valve body or a blocked drain hole will prevent drainage.
 |
Linkage adjustment. |
The adjustment can be made with the water supply on by tightening the
packing nut enough to hold the hydrant closed.
To increase the tension: With the hydrant in a closed position,
loosen the set screw in the side of the pivot. Lift the handle, which
should lift the linkage without moving the stem, to the desired location
and reset the set screw.
To decrease the tension: Lift the handle part way open and loosen the
set screw in the side of the pivot. Lower the handle, which should lower
the linkage without moving the stem, to the desired location and reset
the set screw.
The handle, at the end of the closing stroke, should "snap"
closed.
 |
Operating pipe assembly removal. |
Shut off the water supply to the hydrant. Lift the handle to the open
position. Loosen the set screw in the side of the Pivot. Loosen the
packing nut. Remove the head casting using two pipe wrenches, one on the
pipe and one on the head casting. Remove the operating pipe assembly by
gripping the pipe (not the brass stem) with vise grips and prying up. To
remove the plunger, use either pipe wrenches or vise grips. When
reinstalling the operating pipe assembly in the hydrant, use a soft
mallet or a block of wood to drive the plunger into the valve seat.
Applying a lubricant that is safe for rubber such as silicone on the
plunger rubber will aid in seating the rubber. Reinstall the head
casting. Adjust the linkage to the proper tension.
|