It's a shallow well or "jet" pump, since it's on the surface. Appears to be Sta-Rite brand 1/2 HP, I can't make out the model number from that picture.
If there's one pipe into the well, it's a shallow well pump, (sometimes called an "internal jet" pump as it may have a jet, but it's not down in the well) if there are two pipes into the well it's a jet pump, where the pump pumps some water down into the well and a Venturi jet mechanism there brings up more water. If you have one of those and are facing replacement, just get a submersible deep well pump suited to your well rather than replacing with the same thing - they are an inefficient hold-over from an era when electric motors were less reliable.
It may need to be primed (filled with water) though USUALLY no prime means no water. Typically there's a plug on the top of the casting you open and pour water in until it overflows, then get the plug back in and turn the pump on.
It may have a worn out impeller, which is normally easily replaced (along with other parts that come as a "rebuild kit" for your specific pump make & model.) Depending on you, you can do that, or a well/pump company can do that for you. Any decent plumbing supply or hardware or farm supply store should be able to get you parts, or you can sort out what your pump model is and order online.
Last one of these I worked on I'm pretty sure Agway had (or got on short notice) the parts we needed, and it took an hour or two (for us) to change.
