New Member - Eastern Wisconsin

[NV-WindmillProject]

I think your mill was an 8-foot size because it is and has been the most common size in windmills. Not sure if they made a 6-foot or 10-foot RA model... you might want to ask Ron Stauffer or Justin Eckel, the Aermotor experts on this forum

I'm not an expert on power line clearance, but here in Nevada, I know of several mills that are installed right next to the power lines. But those towers are taller than the lines, so the blades won't hit them.
If your tower was made by Aermotor, then it was definitely 53' - the chart says the length of one side is 10' 10-9/16". Since your measurement is about 10' 11", it's almost exactly the same.
The usual height of rural power line poles is about 30-40', so if you did have a 53' tower, there's no worry about the blades hitting the lines. However, if your tower was 40' or 47' feet, then you'll want to make sure the blades aren't too close.
Maybe you could even use the future windmill tower as a power line holder...

Not an expert on well cylinders, but here's something I learned from a Dempster manual: "Do not use too large a cylinder. Remember! A windmill with a small cylinder running, pumps more water than one with a larger cylinder standing still."

The 602 and 702 are more time period accurate (and in some ways better) than the 802 - the 602 came out in 1916, 702 came out in 1933, and 802 came out in 1981.

[CTXmiller]

Neat history and photo.

It is my understanding, based upon Aermotor literature, that the RA came in all standardized Aermotor sizes from 6’ to 20’. Dan in NY is also a good source of information on open gear Aermotors.

$25k seems very high, but that depends on how close to historically accurate you want it. Aermotor San Angelo is overpriced in my hobbyist opinion, and a rebuilt Chicago 602 or 702 or an Aermotor clone (WindEngine, etc.) would work fine. No one will be able to read the castings 40’+ in the air. An 8’ would look better than a 6’ diameter 40’ to 53’ in the air.

If the powerline is a problem on reinstalling on the original site above the water well, you might look into offset pumping.

[mtblah]

Thats an offer hard to ignore

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

Well I guess I have to put in my two cents being Michael gave me a good rating. Thanks Michael !! To my knowledge open gear Aermotor models only came in 8,10,12,14 and 16 ft sizes. In 1903 they came out with the 1903 model that lasted to around 1905 the main frame was very similar to the model 99 but had replaceable babbit bearings not arms just bearings. It was replaced with the RA model sometime around 1905,1906 but had patents about 1903 and maybe some were sold before 1905. Hope this helps somehow, Thanks Dan !!

[mtblah]

[Minnemiller]

Welcome!

As far as ID'ing- Venn didn't say how he determined the manufacturer to be Aermotor, but I agree it's probably an Aermotor based on the tower proportions, platform, and the tower appearing to have angle iron braces at the bottom and rods in the sections higher up. Also, the comment about having to oil open geared mills weekly is correct but only if you are running it the majority of the time. It sounds like you would use it fairly often but hard to know without knowing how many gallons per week you want.

If the $25k includes a new well being drilled along with the windmill that sounds cheap- at least around here in MN for a ~150ft well.

A rebuilt A602 or A702 with a new wheel and tail would also be an excellent choice. Here are two A702's I did with new sheetmetal.

[NV-WindmillProject]

Welcome!

As far as ID'ing- Venn didn't say how he determined the manufacturer to be Aermotor, but I agree it's probably an Aermotor based on the tower proportions, platform, and the tower appearing to have angle iron braces at the bottom and rods in the sections higher up.

Whoops

Welp when I saw the vane, the text looked very similar in proportions to this RA windmill:

Screenshot 2026-09-03 224015.png

And also, Aermotor was very common at the time so it was my first guess.


Great job on the 702s Minnemiller

[txfromwi]

That $25K includes the well of probably 100-150 feet, purchase and install of a modern new Aermotor 802, 40x8, and a 2.5" pump.

I am very open to a historic restoration item, and in fact I would prefer it, but the wife wants something new that we don't need to mess with.
But I really do want something that says Chicago with the original style graphics rather than the current graphics.
I have no problems with climbing it myself, but I will be 68 soon and do need to consider the future - whatever that holds...

It's a long story, but we live in Houston, TX with the family farm in Elkhart Lake, Sheboygan County, WI.
We are not yet retired and as such our time back home in WI is limited.
There are other more important projects in the farm house (1922 all original) that need my hands on attention when we are there.
The windmill needs to be a throw money at it to get it done type project.

If someone has a restoration that will be fully installed for me, I am open to ideas !

Should (will) have that balloon height determination completed by next Wednesday (9/9/26)

Thanks,

Dan