Help needed for Wonder of Elgin

[DavidT]

Hello everyone! I am a new member from New Zealand.

We have had a windmill on our property ever since we bought it 32 years ago. It is a Wonder of Elgin, two photos attached. There is no water pump connected, but it has been spinning in the wind consistently all that time (though we don't get a lot of wind as we are sheltered in a valley and by tall trees).

I have tried to look after it as best I can. I have replaced worn mounting bolts at the head of the tower and occasionally poured oil into the sump when it needs it. The feathering sort of works and it does turn off and slow down in gusts.

But the bearings are very loose. You can lift the whole sail unit with its shaft quite some way. I think that some of these mills had wooden bearings, is that true? Is that likely the problem, that the wood has gone? How easy is it to replace? I can't possibly get the head unit down to the ground!

I would really appreciate some help and advice as I am not really a mechanic!
Many thanks
David

[mtblah]

David welcome , it appears you have taken care of the very necessary maintance over the years .
some day the motor will have to come down to earth level for a serious rebuild , at that point there can be a serious inspection what is needed .
Mike B
New Braunfels TX

[Wayne]

If the bearings in the front are that bad and noting is done. What you have is the shaft rubbing on the housing and it could cause the shaft to break and the fan to fall to the ground. Plus it could wear the bearing race in the case so bad you couldn't get a new one to fit.

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

If at all possible your going to have to get the Mill on the ground to work on it.

[windybob]

I think the Wonder A came out in 1912. The very first successful self oiling mill. That's a LOT of miles on one head. I would take it down, and either go through it, or replace it with a more modern mill. You can still restore it, and put it on display, with the fact of having a modern water pumper to work, with easy to aquire parts if needed.

The counter weight pulls the tail back out straight. If you can raise the counter weight, and put some sort of clamp on it, the mill would be out of the wind, and not turn so much, or so fast. Raising the counterweight would furl the tail parrallel to the wheel.

[DavidT]

Thank you all for your generous response.

I agree completely that taking the head down for a full inspection and maintenance is the best option. This (see attached photo) is the problem! Urban encroachment has spread out to include the mill. We considered removing the windmill before building our house but it was so rare and special that I didn't have the heart to do it! Now we can't get anywhere near it with a crane.

So does anyone have any bright ideas about how we can do this?

And thank you #Windybob for your excellent advice about locking the mill out of the wind. I will do that now.

IMG_9557.jpg

[mtblah]

Helecopter .

[CTXmiller]

Gin pole