The hydraulic ram, situated near the ‘Cup and Saucer’ at Erddig was installed by Phillip Yorke II. It was made by John Blake Ltd of Accrington, a company still in existence but now know as 'Allspeeds'.

The ‘B’ Ram used the power of the Black Brook to work a pump which drew pure spring water at a rate of 10,000 gallons per day up 90 feet to storage cisterns in the roof of the house. It was the regular thud of this pump mechanism that became known as the ‘heart of Erddig’. Water was also supplied to New Sontley Farm and Bryn Goleu in the same manner.

In 1923 the system was renewed and still provides water for the garden fountains.