Western Windmill History


The Western geared gearless windmill is a new type of windmill--the wheel making two revolutions to each pump stroke, accomplished by the use of cams instead of gear wheels.  This windmill was manufactured by the Western Land Roller Company of Hastings, Nebraska. 

Cams have been used for hundreds of years in railway engines, automobiles, sewing machines, the knotter devices on binders, and hundreds of others that can be named.  Cams are new in windmills, but have proved as highly successful as in all the other machines.  They are silent, smooth, and more efficient than gears and the jerky pitman devices.
Note the cut way picture showing the arm at the top of stroke, the dotted line at the bottom and the race in which the shoe travels when the mill is in operation.  Note the Hyatt Roller Bearing construction, one 4 inches and one 2 inches which carries the axle, and on which the cams are keyed and which is the only revolving part of the complete mill engine.  Note the race in the cam wheel in which the chrome nickel steel shoe travels.  The chrome nickel steel bearing shoe is a drop forged tempered, and made form the same material as used for automobile cams and cranks shafts.


The Western geared gearless windmill is the simplest constructed  mill  on the market today with the fewest working parts and the most efficient system and arrangement, with noting to get out of order.  During the production of this windmill in the 1920's only 8' and 10'  sizes were manufactured.  The Western Land Roller Company also manufactured towers for these mills in 20' to 60' heights. 
One look at this wonderful windmill will convince any buyer that it's the mill he should have!
The windmill runs in a bath of oil.  Every working part is thoroughly and positively oiled continuously without the use of fingers, spoons, or rings of any kind.  The oil is carried by the cam wheels to the shoe bearings and axle and follows the axle to the main Hyatt Roller Bearings.  Note the compact, well balanced head as shown at left.  The large 2 " mast pipe and strong bracket to carry the vane, and the simplicity of the complete head.  The lift is divided equally between the two cams, between which the walking beam operates up and down.  The cams carry up the oil, flooding the shoe and race continuously.
 

Back to Windmill Thumbprint