Shadoof

Shadoof

A shadoof or shaduf (an Arabic word, شادوف, "šādūf"; also anciently known by the Greek name κήλων or κηλώνειον, "kēlōn" or "kēlōneion") is an irrigation tool. A less common English translation is swape. [cite web
url = http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/swape
title = Definition of "Swape"
accessdate = 2007-04-25
work = Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
publisher = MICRA Inc.]

It was originally developed in ancient Mesopotamia, and appears on a Sargonid seal of c.2000 BC. [citebook|title=Science and Civilisation in China|author= Joseph Needham|year= 1965|publisher=Cambridge University Press|url= http://www.amazon.com/dp/0521327288/|id=ISBN 9780521327282] It is still used in many areas of Africa and Asia to draw water.

The shadoof consists of an upright frame on which is suspended a long pole or branch, at a distance of about one-fifth of its length from one end. At the long end of this pole hangs a bucket, skin bag, or bitumen-coated reed basket, while the short end carries a weight (clay, stone, or similar) which serves as the counterpoise of a lever. When correctly balanced, the counterweight will support a half-filled bucket, so some effort is used to pull an empty bucket down to the water, but only the same effort is needed to lift a full bucket.

With an almost effortless swinging and lifting motion, the waterproof vessel is used to scoop up and carry water from one body of water (typically, a river or pond) to another. At the end of each movement, the water is emptied out into runnels that convey the water along irrigation ditches in the required direction.

It is estimated that a shadoof can raise over 2,500 litres per day. Typical discharge of the well is around 2 litres per second. Maximum water depth may be up to 3 meters. When larger depth is needed, the use of a sakia or noria is usually a better option. Alternatively, handpump [ [http://practicalaction.org/practicalanswers/product_info.php?products_id=198 Practical Answers - Handpumps] ] , treadle pumps [ [http://dev.practicalaction.org/?id=appeal_nepalpump Treadle pump] ] or electrical deep well pumps may also be used.

References

ee also

*Archimedes' screw
*Sakia
*Noria
*Chain pumps

External links

* [http://www.shaduf-eu.org/ The Shaduf Project: A European Commission Report on Mediterranean Shaduf Use and History]


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Shadoof — Sha*doof (sh[.a]*d[=oo]f ), n. [Ar. sh[=a]d[=u]f.] A machine, resembling a well sweep, used in Egypt for raising water from the Nile for irrigation. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • shadoof — [shä do͞of′] n. [Ar shādūf] a device consisting of a long, pivoted pole with a bucket on one end and a weight on the other, used in the Near East for raising water, esp. in irrigating land …   English World dictionary

  • shadoof — also shaduf noun Etymology: Arabic shādūf Date: 1836 a counterbalanced sweep used since ancient times especially in Egypt for raising water (as for irrigation) …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • shadoof — /shah doohf /, n. a device used in Egypt and other Eastern countries for raising water, esp. for irrigation, consisting of a long suspended rod with a bucket at one end and a weight at the other. Also, shaduf. [1830 40; < Egyptian Ar shaduf] * *… …   Universalium

  • shadoof — noun A device used to gather water, consisting of a pivoted stick with a bucket on the end of it …   Wiktionary

  • shadoof — n. irrigation tool or water moving apparatus that was used in ancient Egypt still in use in other Eastern countries …   English contemporary dictionary

  • shadoof — [ʃə du:f] noun a pole with a bucket and counterpoise used especially in Egypt for raising water. Origin C19: from Egyptian Arab. šādūf …   English new terms dictionary

  • shadoof — sha·doof …   English syllables

  • shadoof — sha•doof [[t]ʃɑˈduf[/t]] n. agr. civ a device used in the Near East for raising water, esp. for irrigation, consisting of a long suspended rod with a bucket at one end and a weight at the other • Etymology: 1830–40; < Egyptian Ar shadūf …   From formal English to slang

  • shadoof — /ʃəˈduf/ (say shuh doohf) noun a contrivance used in Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries for raising water, especially for irrigation, consisting of a long suspended rod with a bucket at one end and a weight at the other. Also, shaduf.… …  

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