Kennedy Valve - Elmira, NY
Part 3
  K81 / K81-A / K81-D model
Kennedy Valve's current model, the K81, has been in production since the early 1980s and is known as the "Guardian" in Kennedy literature. The model designation cast onto the barrel has changed from K81 to K81-A to K81-D; but the external appearance of this hydrant has remained basically unchanged.
  • Both breakaway and conventional flange joint versions can be found.
  • Manufactured in 4½" and 5¼" V.O. sizes.
  • The 2-way nozzle configuration is rarely seen in this model.
  • Note the variety of bonnet style variations that have been documented.

    These are the typical K81s with a smooth bonnet:
    • 1446
    Model: K81-A
    Nozzles: 2x 2½"
    Size: 4½" V.O.
    Dated: 1997
    Location: Mt. Olive, IL
    Photo: © 2001, J. Anderson    		 1447
    Model: K81
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5"
    Size: 4½" V.O.
    Dated: ?
    Location: Edwardsville, IL
    Photo: © 2001, J. Anderson
    0987
    Model: K81
    Nozzles: 2x 2½"
    Size: 5¼" V.O.
    Dated: 1982
    Location: Dubuque, IA
    Photo: © 2001, J. Anderson    		 1427
    Model: K81-D
    Nozzles: 3x 2½"
    Size: 5¼" V.O.
    Dated: 2000
    Location: Rhode Island
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski    		 0151
    Model: K81-A
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x ~5"
    Size: 5¼" V.O.
    Dated: 1996
    Location: Highland, WI
    Photo: © 2000, J. Quist    		 2115
    Model: K81-D
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 4½"
    Size: 5¼" V.O.
    Dated: 2002
    Location: John A. collection
    Photo: © 2003, J. Anderson

    And these have unusual bonnet styles:
    1108
    Model: K81
    Nozzles: 2x 2½"
    Size: 5¼" V.O.
    Dated: 19??
    Location: Massachusetts
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski    		 1426
    Model: K81-A
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5"
    Size: 5¼" V.O.
    Dated: 1987
    Location: Massachusetts
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski    		 0411
    Model: K81-A Cleveland Spec
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x ~4"
    Size: 5¼" V.O.
    Dated: 1996
    Location: Cleveland, OH
    Photo: © 2000, T. Ingalsbe

      Miscellaneous Models
    Below are miscellaneous models no longer produced by Kennedy Valve.
    2168
    Model: St. Louis Spec O'Brien style
    Nozzles: 1x 4½"
    Size: ~5" V.O.
    Dated: 1915
    Location: John A. collection
    Photo: © J. Anderson         		0020
    Model: NYC Spec O'Brien style
    Nozzles: 1x 2½", 1x ~4"
    Size: ~5" V.O.
    Dated: 1930
    Location: New York, NY
    Photo: © 1999, E. Kennedy         		1834
    Model: K-21 Classic
    Nozzles: 2x 2½"
    Size: 5¼" V.O.
    Dated: 1973
    Location: Oregon
    Photo: © 2002, A. McMillan         		0310
    Model: K-21 Classic
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 4"
    Size: 5¼" V.O.
    Dated: 1978
    Location: John A. collection
    Photo: © 2001, J. Anderson

      M-62 (Wood Mathews) model
    The following hydrants were made by Kennedy Valve after they bought out R.D.Wood in about 1963.
    0018
    Model: M-62
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x ~5"
    Size: ~6" V.O.
    Dated: 1983
    Location: Washington D.C.
    Photo: © E. Kennedy

      Mathews Insert
    The following hydrants were also made by Kennedy Valve after they bought out R.D.Wood.
  • NO upper tier rim
  • WOOD MATHEWS ELMIRA NY found on bonnet rim
  • KENNEDY found on back of barrel with V.O. size and date of manufacture
  • Note that hydrants can be found with either barrel joint design; the overhanging skirt as well as the conventional bolted flange.
  • Also note that early hydrants have a fully fluted bonnet whereas later versions are half-fluted.
    • 0980
    Nozzles: 2x 2½"
    Size: 4" V.O.
    Dated: 1964
    Note: conventional bolted barrel joint
    Location: Massachusetts
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski    		 1711
    Nozzles: 2x 2½"
    Size: 4" V.O.
    Dated: 1978
    Note: overhanging skirt barrel joint
    Location: Connecticut
    Photo: © 2002, J. Kaminski    		 0979
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5"
    Size: 4" V.O.
    Dated: 1964
    Note: overhanging skirt barrel joint
    Location: Massachusetts
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski    		 1412
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5"
    Size: 4" V.O.
    Dated: 1977
    Note: overhanging skirt barrel joint
    Location: Rhode Island
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski
    2152
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5"
    Size: 4½" V.O.
    Dated: 1979
    Note: overhanging skirt barrel joint
    (See back view)
    Location: Mike V. collection
    Photo: © 2004, M. Vacanti
    1251
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 4"
    Size: 5" V.O.
    Dated: 1968
    Note: overhanging skirt barrel joint
    Location: John A. collection
    Photo: © 2001, J. Anderson    		 1492
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5"
    Size: 5" V.O.
    Dated: 1981
    Note: overhanging skirt barrel joint
    Location: Massachusetts
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski    		 0978
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5"
    Size: 5" V.O.
    Dated: 1964
    Note: conventional bolted barrel joint
    Location: Massachusetts
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski    		 1718
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 4½"
    Size: 6" V.O.
    Dated: 1980
    Note: overhanging skirt barrel joint
    Location: Mentor, OH
    Photo: © 2002, J. Kaminski

    Contact Information:
    1021 E. Water Street
    Elmira, NY 14901
    Phone: 607-734-2211
    Fax: 607-734-3288    		 www.kennedyvalve.com
    sales@kennedyvalve.com
    FHO Catalog Library:
    The Kennedy Valve Mfg. Co Catalog 1898
    Kennedy Catalogue Edition of 1907
    Kennedy Catalogue Edition of 1910
    Kennedy "New Type" Water Valves and Hydrants Edition 1912
    Kennedy "New Type" Water Valves and Hydrants Edition 1913
    Kennedy Valve Mfg. Co. Edition 1916
    The Kennedy Valve Mfg. Co Catalog No. 42 (1920)
    The Kennedy Valve Mfg. Co Catalog No. 45 (1923)
    The Kennedy Valve Mfg. Co Catalog No. 48 (1926)
    The Kennedy Valve Mfg. Co Catalog No. 63 (1940)
    The Kennedy Valve Mfg. Co Catalog No. 86 (1963)
    Kennedy AWWA Catalog No. 94
    Kennedy AWWA Valves and Hydrants Maintenance Manual M718
    Kennedy Underwriters Approved Maintenance Manual M637A
    Kennedy Underwriters Approved Maintenance Manual M637B

    Part 1 | Part 2a , 2b | Part 3
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