Windmills

[HunterdonPaul]

My wife likes the "look" of windmills and mentioned that one would look good on our farmette. I don't thinkwe would want one to power a generator but just for its appearance. Does anyone have any experience with windmills? Do they sell new ones. I found only one company that advertised on the net (windmills). Our anniversary in in August and I thought I would surprise her.

Please let me know what you think.....

 

[beenthere]

Try this site. The aeromotors have been around for a long time, and parts can still be purchased as well as new windmills. windmill

 

[khd]

I've always wanted one also... Not one of the yard ornament ones either. Here's another link.. web page

Thought about the 20' pond aerator type they have at Northern Tool. Saw one on someones' property about a month ago on a windy day. Looked pretty good and the price is alot less the a full size. But it's also not a "real" milll.

Let us know if and what you buy.

Regards,
Kevin

 

[PineRidge]

I think Aeromotors are the neatest and cleanest looking. We have many in our area that are actual working units. I also have a restored Aeromotor with an 8 foot blade that still needs erected on my property. If you are interested PM me and I can furnish several suppliers names for new and rebuilt windmills. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Here in Texas there's a couple of sources for homemade for looks only windmills. One of the things that's interesting about this phenomenon is the real deal ones seem to live forever with an old wick oiling mechanism. And the imitations do have a problem burning up the bearings and they use trailer bearings and spindles.

If you're buying a looks only do take into consideration the bearings and how much trouble you would have changing and or lubing them. Fifty dollars a year for annual rental of a boom lift to lube bearings will get expensive over time.

Another thing to keep in mind is the tail needs to be made like the originals. That way if the wind really kicks up you can turn the blades where they're not subjected to sonic boom speeds.

If you can find a good one that works consider having it pump like from and into a trough. There's just something about feeling a breeze and about that time water starts flowing.

 

[kensfarm]

I have a list of sites.. but this lady knows her stuff. American WindMills.

http://www.windmills.net/windmill.htm

 

[chucko]

When did water pumping windmill become so much $$$$$....??? I was thinking about one but they cost too much for my taste. I thought that they were the cheep way to pump water for cattle and such.

 

[kensfarm]

I'm sure the price has increased some because of the price of steel.. but I think the demand is high because a windmill adds a nostalgic look.. that many new "suburban farm" owners like. (Not meant to offend anyone)

I had been checking them out and knew the prices.. found an add in the paper for one.. it was being sold by the owner of the Historic Pennterra Mansion (340 acre farm).. it is an Chicago Aermotor w/ 8 ft head and 50 ft tower.. I paid $1000 for both.. the tower needed new anchors.. the head has a slight crack.. but it's fixable. I wanted to drill a new well and set the tower up near the bank barn to supply water for livestock. The price of a new well is what is currently holding me up. I dis-assembled the head.. and stowed it away in the barn for now.

 

[beenthere]

You can find them around that work and can get them just for taking them down. What is neat is that any replacement parts can be purchased (at least it appears that way from Aermotor) that will still fit the old windmills going back a hundred years. Aermotor must have hit on a bullet-proof design and stuck with it. I recently took one down that the lady said she knew it hadn't had any attention in the 30 years she had been on the place, and it was still running smooth and still had oil in it. Turned (and pumped air) every time the wind blew. A cottonwood tree had encroached on its space, so some of the 'tail' feathers were missing tin as well as a few sails periodically came off (their falling to the ground from 45' led the lady to want it down).

 

[TBAR]

<font color="blueclass=small">( I think Aeromotors are the neatest and cleanest looking. We have many in our area that are actual working units. I also have a restored Aeromotor with an 8 foot blade that still needs erected on my property. If you are interested PM me and I can furnish several suppliers names for new and rebuilt windmills. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )

<font color="black">Yes Aeromotors have been around a long time and are good looking............ </font>

PICTURE #1

PICTURE #2


<font color="black">TBAR</font>

 

[PineRidge]

TBAR those are a couple of nice pictures of mills.

 

[JDgreen227]

I just wish my Aermotor looked as good as some of the pics displayed here....back about 1992 my wife's brother in law had to move to Springhills in Tennessee to work at the Saturn plant and he asked if I wanted a windmill....I was thinking a small yard decoration type but he dropped off a vintage Aermotor that was mostly complete. SOMEDAY I am going to get it rebuilt and assembled, as the family joke goes, if I don't have it up and running after 15 years I have to return it to him. Wish me luck !!