Vintage Windmill and Wind Generator Forum

Hello,
I am new to the Forum and appreciate the acceptance to join your group. Long story short, I live on an 80 acre farm in Michigan that was my grandparents. I grew up on the farm and still use the tools in my shop that my grandfather taught me what I know today. Around 1980, when I was about 5, my grandfather purchased a windmill from a local salvage yard. I was with him the day he bought it and vaguely remember it getting loaded onto the trailer. My grandfather was a full time mechanic for the local Ford dealership and farmer back then. He restored and utilized the windmill to pump water for the heard of cows he had. I believe it is a Heller Aller MOD 8 with an Aeromotor wheel and please let me know if that is not correct. Currently, I am in the process of restoring it, as it was becoming a maintenance monster. My father and I are not getting any younger and I am working to have this mill become easier to maintain. I will post more more pictures in the projects section shortly as I need some advice moving forward on the project. Thanks again for letting me join and would appreciate your expertise and comments in the project section once I get the post started.
Thanks,
MOD 8

Welcome to the forum.

Welcome aboard , it appears your windmill has been well maintained , not WELL worn like most we see .
what part of Michigan is your farm located ? a yooper or a troll ?
Mike B
New Braunfels TX

Welcome aboard!

I don't believe that's a Aermotor wheel. The sails are in front of the rims. The rims go through the sails on an Aermotor. However, H/A sails are in front of the rims. The problem is, on a MOD8, there are 36 sails. There used to be red tips on the sails, I see. It's possible it is a hybrid wheel, but not sure what kind.

Welcome Jared. Glad you've found us. Unsure about your wheel. Post more detailed pics of the wheel sections and wheel arms when you have time.

Thanks to all for the replies to the introduction post. To get back to some of the questions, I am a troll as I am below the Mackinaw Bridge in the lower peninsula of Michigan. The farm that I live on is in Owosso which is indirectly between Flint and Lansing. Here are a few additional pictures of the wheel, and I can get more pictures of the wheel arms if needed for identification purposes.
Thanks again,
MOD 8

Is it just me or does that wheel turn counterclockwise? If it does, it is turning the wrong direction. The only wheel i know of that the sails ride outside the rims is F&W Steel Star.

Kenneth

I agree with Kenneth .