how does a shadoof work?

Answer 1

A shadoof or shaduf (an Arabic word) is an irrigation tool, originally developed in ancient Sumer. 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 shaduf can raise over 2,500 litres per day.

Answer 2

Think of it as the precursor to a crane. A pole has a bucket on one end and a counterweight on the other end. It is tied onto another beam in such a way that it can be lowered, raised and pivoted to the side. It is used for dipping water out of a river into an irrigation ditch.

The weblink below has a great photo of a shaduf as well as a nice written description of it:

Answer 3

Shadoof

Answer 4

Shaduf Definition

Answer 5

see link below