Vintage Windmill and Wind Generator Forum

Does the water drain itself back into the well so it doesn't freeze when the mill stops. How does this work? Is that why the pump rods are wood?

Around here we drill a Weep hole about 3 feet down from ground level in the drop pipe. It's an 1/8 inch hole. The water constantly leaks out, and when the pumping stops, the water drains out down to that level.

The wood rod is a weak spot / shear point to save you from bending metal or breaking gears and pitman arms.
An experienced windmiller told me that he always drilled the weep hole in a short brass nipple installed in the drop pipe. It was less likely to rust out and expand or have mineral deposits.
He switched to drilling the hole in a coupling after brass became more costly.

windybob wrote: Wed Feb 10, 2021 8:26 am Around here we drill a Weep hole about 3 feet down from ground level in the drop pipe. It's an 1/8 inch hole. The water constantly leaks out, and when the pumping stops, the water drains out down to that level.

This is what we have always done in my area also. Its work for years.