Deep well hand pumps: Simple Pump vs Bison compared
For rural households on a private well, a deep well hand pump is among the highest-value preparedness investments available. When the power goes out, your electric submersible stops — and the pressure tank runs dry in minutes. Simple Pump and Bison Pump are the two systems worth serious consideration. Both are American-made, both are stainless steel, and they differ in ways that matter depending on your well's depth and your priorities.
This is not a standard retail purchase
A deep well hand pump system is sized to your specific well. Before ordering either system, you need your static water level, casing diameter, and submersible pump pipe size. Both manufacturers have technical support staff who will walk you through compatibility. Equipment costs run $1,500 to $2,500 or more depending on well depth. Professional installation adds $500 to $1,500.
Simple Pump: the case for depth and versatility
Simple Pump is engineered in Minden, Nevada and has been manufactured since 1999. Its defining advantages are depth capability and dual-pump compatibility. The system is rated to 325 feet of static water level — the deepest rated hand pump in production — and requires only 12 to 18 pounds of pumping force at that depth. That moderate effort is the result of its lever arm design, which provides mechanical advantage not available in traditional hand pump configurations.
The dual-pump capability is what most rural households want. Simple Pump installs alongside an existing submersible pump in 4-inch or larger casings, with the hand pump cylinder set at least 10 feet above the submersible. Your electric pump continues operating normally for daily use. When the power fails, you switch to the hand pump without any modification. An optional inline valve assembly routes hand-pumped water directly into your home's pressure tank — meaning faucets and toilets operate normally during an outage rather than requiring bucket-filling at the wellhead.
Materials throughout are NSF-certified or FDA-approved. The drop rod is fiberglass rather than stainless steel — lighter, which makes DIY installation more practical for wells with static water levels under 150 feet. Simple Pump carries a lifetime warranty on materials and workmanship. It also offers a motor kit upgrade that converts the hand pump to solar-powered operation without replacing the pump head.
Bison Pump: the case for finish and familiarity
Bison Pump is the other serious option, and it has a dedicated following among homesteaders and off-grid households who value the finished appearance at the wellhead. The Bison pump head casting is widely regarded as the more aesthetically refined of the two — relevant when the pump is installed near a home entrance or in a visible garden location.
Bison's standard deep well system is rated to 250 feet of static water level. Side-by-side installation alongside a submersible is available. For wells with static water levels under 150 feet — which describes a large proportion of residential wells in the eastern US — the pumping effort is comfortable and comparable to Simple Pump. Beyond 150 feet, effort increases more steeply than the Simple Pump's lever design.
Bison Pump systems use 304 stainless steel throughout and include 8-foot sections of drop pipe and rod. Many installations are DIY-capable for households requiring fewer than nine sections of pipe and rod. Bison has an established dealer network across the US, which can simplify installation support for households that prefer working with a local contractor.
How to choose
Static water level over 200 feet: Simple Pump. It is the only production hand pump rated to 325 feet with manageable effort at depth.
Want to pressurize home plumbing during outages: Simple Pump with the inline valve assembly. Bison can achieve this with additional plumbing work, but it is not the standard configuration.
Static water level under 150 feet, aesthetics matter: Either pump works. Bison's more finished appearance at the wellhead may be the deciding factor for some households.
Want a solar upgrade path later: Simple Pump. The motor kit converts the hand pump to 12v or 24v solar operation without replacing the pump.
What to do right now
- 1 Find your well log. The well driller's completion report shows your static water level, total well depth, and casing diameter. Contact your county health department or state well program if you do not have this document — most states maintain records.
- 2 Call both manufacturers. Simple Pump (simplepump.com) and Bison Pump (bisonpumps.com) both have technical staff who will review your well specs and confirm compatibility before you order. Use that service.
- 3 Get quotes from both. Pricing is depth-dependent — the difference between a 60-foot and a 200-foot installation is significant. Get complete quotes before deciding.
- 4 Install before you need it. The best time to install a hand pump is when the power is on and you have time to do it right. Emergency installation during an outage is far more difficult than a planned project.
On the shelf
Simple Pump
simplepump.com · Minden, Nevada · 325-foot depth, 12–18 lbs pumping effort, installs alongside submersibles, lifetime warranty, solar upgrade path. Not available from retail — quotes direct from manufacturer.
Full hand pump comparison — Simple Pump vs Bison →Go deeper
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Related field notes
Sources
- Simple Pump Co.: simplepump.com — technical specifications and installation documentation
- Bison Pumps: bisonpumps.com — technical specifications and dealer network
- NSF International: Material certification records for both systems