Keep your windmill turning

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

• There are many ways to extract water from the ground, but the traditional windmill or windpump remains the easiest and cheapest method.
• Johan Barnard of Southern Cross Industries, a company that manufactures windmills, says he believes a windmill should be serviced at least twice a year.
• A windmill must be serviced by starting at the bottom and working towards the top.
• The entire head of the windmill must be able to rotate, depending on the direction of the wind.
• It is helpful to stock up on certain parts before commencing with routine windmill maintenance.

There are many ways to extract water from the ground, but the traditional windmill or windpump remains the easiest and cheapest method. And if it is well maintained, it can perform at its peak for many years.

Johan Barnard of Southern Cross Industries, a company that manufactures windmills, says he believes a windmill should be serviced at least twice a year.

“It is especially important to check it in March and September as the wind is usually quite strong during February and August, and particles can easily land inside the head of the windmill, causing damage to the working parts,” he says.

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Start at the brake pulley

Johan says in his experience, a windmill must be serviced by starting at the bottom and working towards the top. The first step, he explains, is to check the brake pulley and its chain. This is where the brake system starts, which is essential in protecting the windmill from winds of more than 45km/h.

Ensure that the brake pulley is not corroded or damaged. It is also necessary to check the chain and its connection to the brake cable for any damage that can slow down or prevent it from working.

The rotor

The second step is the rotor. Johan says this is a crucial part of the windmill. “The entire head of the windmill must be able to rotate, depending on the direction of the wind. It is therefore important that the ball bearings on which the head rests are well lubricated. For this reason the grease cup, which provides the bearings with sufficient lubrication, must be filled.

The tower cap

Once the rotor’s parts have been checked, the tower cap must be inspected. There is also a grease cup that needs to be filled. The tower cap stabilises the head of the windmill and must therefore be checked carefully.

“The next step is to remove the head of the windmill and drain the oil. The head can be washed out with thinners and the main shaft’s bearings, gears, pinion gears and pinion carriers should be checked for defects. Once you are sure everything is in order, the head can be filled with oil again,” he explains.

Johan urges producers to use clean oil in the head and not old, dirty oil that has been drained from tractors, trucks or cars.

Wheel and tail

The last step that Johan recommends is checking the wheel and tail of the windpump and its parts. He says rusted or lost nuts or bolts often need replacement.

“Once this has been done, you can move down to the tower and make sure that all lost or rusted bolts are replaced or sanded down and painted so the windmill can provide your animals with water for a few more months.”

Keep spare parts on hand

Most farms are located far from towns and producers don’t always have the right parts in stock. In his experience, it is helpful to stock up on certain parts before commencing with routine windmill maintenance.

The parts he suggests, and which often need replacement, are the small gears, pinion gears, bearings, main shaft, side arms, as well as the vertical axle. These are the basic parts that can break due to wear and tear and might well be the reason why your windmill no longer works as it should. – Koos du Pisanie, Stockfarm

For more information, call Johan Barnard on 051 434 3861.