Vintage Windmill and Wind Generator Forum

Got a call from a customer who wants me to service a mill several hours' drive from here. He emailed me photos. The tail vane says The Wind Engine 702. Are these the mills being made in Mexico? Anybody know anything about the manufacturer, the quality of the product, the interchangability with original Aermotor parts?

The nut that holds the helmet on is different threads than the original. The spokes are a different thread (both ends) than an original Aermotor. This also means the hub is different, but only where the threads for the spokes are concerned. I believe everything else is the same. The quality of these mills are very good. What does the customer want done?

What does the customer want done?

He called because his pump rod broke.

So are these mills made in Mexico? Anyone know the name of the company that makes 'em?

An Aermotor pump rod would be a suitable replacement for a WindEngine pump rod. The WindEngine is made in Monterry Mexico at the Aermotor plant there. Since there can be only one licensee in each country, the name had to change to bring them here (US). The WindEngine is made by the Aermotor licensee in Mexico. Many of the local water well supply houses carry WindEngine and you can get parts there if you want the actual replacement part.

In 25 years of dealing with the WindEngine brand of windmills, I have never come across a broken pump rod. I would bet there is some trouble in the well that cause this. Or maybe even a crooked tower. I would think a sucker rod would break before the pump rod would.

I had the welded nut on the end of the a Aermotor pump rod inside the swivel come off. I found out that Aermotor quit putting the pin through the nut screwed on the pump rod and started welding them on. It was not a good weld and the weld broke.That was more than 10 years ago. They may be doing them different now.

I sold one to a customer, and it was very nice. I liked the way it was made.

In 25 years of dealing with the WindEngine brand of windmills, I have never come across a broken pump rod. I would bet there is some trouble in the well that cause this.

I haven't seen this mill in the flesh yet, only talked on the phone. I don't know exactly what is broken; it may just be the pump stick or what some people call the red rod. The trouble in the well that usually causes such a problem in Wisconsin is called winter.