I've purchased a home that has a deep water well pump. The pump has burned out and needs to be repalced. It's a 141 foot deep well. The well was dug in 1979, don't know if the pump is original but there is a rope attached to it for retraction. I assume I can attach a come-a-long and attempt to pull it up. Where should I anchor the come-a-long at? Is there any air pressure to compensate for?

I'm at a total loss about this and would welcome any advice given.

Thank you,
High and Dry

The well pipe will, in all likelihood, be in twenty foot sections. I have never seen one pulled up with a rope (don't have a ton of experience in this, though) but that is such a great idea that I wish I had thought of it when my pump was put down. At any rate, you will pull up twenty feet at a time, unscrew the pipe, then pull up twenty more, and so forth.

I would make sure the rope is sound. Forty years in a well could have some negative effects on rope. As you pull, keep a clamp on the well pipe to keep it from slipping back down. It would be great if you knew someone with a truck winch. A come a long will be a slow go. As far as how to anchor it, I know a guy who pulled from a tree limb above his well. If that is not a possibility, then I have seen a tripod made of poles used to good effect. Air pressure is not a consideration.