Windmilling, June 13, 2009

[Soapweed]

Windmillin' up in the rough hills

The pump rods on this well are three joints deep of 21' half inch pipe. The connecting collar had broken off between the second and third pipes.
It required some fishing with a hook to get hold of the plunger to pull up the broken piece.
Fortunately we got it up and out without the services of a professional well man.

The old Ford gets around through the sand and soapweeds pretty well.

Putting the pumpsticks in a barrel to keep them clean and out of the sand

Storm that went around us

A handy little hook for fishing out broken pump rod

High in the sky

Heights don't seem to bother him much

Arrowhead I found at the foot of a windmill

Hope we get done before it storms

Storm rolling in. Guess I'd better put the camera away.

 

[Faster horses]

Sooooooo, did you get wet?

I think you need to raise Kosmo's pay!
People with dangerous jobs get high wages!! :shock: :lol: :lol:

 

[Soapweed]

Sooooooo, did you get wet?

We have had about an inch of rain so far tonight. This can be added to another inch and seven tenths that has come the past week. Things are looking up.

I think you need to raise Kosmo's pay!
People with dangerous jobs get high wages!! :shock: :lol: :lol:

I could climb up the tower to pay him. Then he would get "high wages." :wink:

 

[Faster horses]

Are you ever at a loss for words??????
:lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :tiphat:

 

[leanin' H]

Awesome arrowhead! We have bunches of them all framed up that have come from private land! Hope the well pumps lots of water now you've fixed it up.

 

[little bow rancher]

what make are your wind mills , I sure don't miss working on are's , but for as old as they were they worked pretty good

 

[huskermimi]

Soapweed......I have been a silent reader for about 2 years now, but just have to comment on the windmill scenario. I shudder when I see your son does not have a harness or safety belt on. My son fell off a windmill tower 2 years ago and broke his leg and then had a blood clot problem in that leg. Could have been so much worse. Just a word of caution. I do really enjoy your pictures. Keep them coming.

 

[Soapweed]

what make are your wind mills , I sure don't miss working on are's , but for as old as they were they worked pretty good

All of our windmills are Aermotor. They seem to stand the test of time quite well.

Soapweed......I have been a silent reader for about 2 years now, but just have to comment on the windmill scenario. I shudder when I see your son does not have a harness or safety belt on. My son fell off a windmill tower 2 years ago and broke his leg and then had a blood clot problem in that leg. Could have been so much worse. Just a word of caution. I do really enjoy your pictures. Keep them coming.

I appreciate your words of wisdom. My son is young and doesn't take cautionary advice from his dad very well. Thanks for speaking up. Maybe he will listen to you. :wink:

 

[Kosmo]

Huskermimi, I am sorry to hear about your son. It is easy to get too comfortable around heights and windmills when they truly are as dangerous as the business end of a pistol or a rattlesnake. I doubt that I will invest in a harness or safety belt, but I will still heed your advice on being careful.

Soapweed, I am always listening so don't take this humbling step of mine as a "plus one" for your ego . I just figured I would reply now instead of getting lectured and read to tomorrow. :wink:

 

[burnt]

That arrowhead is stunningly beautiful. Thanks for posting.

 

[Shortgrass]

That sky was telling me to get off the tower. If it wasn't blowing, it was the chance for lightning. If it was my house, Kosmo, youl'd have to carry your own wages up to to make them higher! I sure don't like windmill towers. My Father-in-law was like you, and did not bother him one bit, and he would make fun of me for hanging on. When your knees are wobbly, it pays to hang on!!

 

[CattleArmy]

I'd be more worried about him getting "lit" up with the looks of the clouds.

 

[Blkbuckaroo]

Cool pics soap.Glad you guys got some much needed water out of the storm.

 

[per]

How much climbing and maintenance do the windmills take? I would guess you have many windmills on your ranch. Happy to say that a cow would not get enough water if we counted on windmills for pumping. The only one around here that still is operational is actually a cell tower cleverly disguised as a windmill.

 

[Cedarcreek]

Huskermimi, I am sorry to hear about your son. It is easy to get too comfortable around heights and windmills when they truly are as dangerous as the business end of a pistol or a rattlesnake. I doubt that I will invest in a harness or safety belt, but I will still heed your advice on being careful.

Soapweed, I am always listening so don't take this humbling step of mine as a "plus one" for your ego . I just figured I would reply now instead of getting lectured and read to tomorrow. :wink:

I used to do like you and just stand up there and fix what needed to be fixed but I use a safety harness now. Ours are taller 27' towers with larger heads than yours. When I'm standing on the platform on the one with a 10' wheel the bottom of the gearbox is about eye level. I usually end up climbing a little higher and setting on the tail arm to get the cover off and add oil. The 8' ones I can reach off the platform. A little age makes a person a little more cautious.

Sure enjoy the great pictures.

 

[Anonymous]

Huskermimi, I am sorry to hear about your son. It is easy to get too comfortable around heights and windmills when they truly are as dangerous as the business end of a pistol or a rattlesnake. I doubt that I will invest in a harness or safety belt, but I will still heed your advice on being careful.

Soapweed, I am always listening so don't take this humbling step of mine as a "plus one" for your ego . I just figured I would reply now instead of getting lectured and read to tomorrow. :wink:

I used to do like you and just stand up there and fix what needed to be fixed but I use a safety harness now. Ours are taller 27' towers with larger heads than yours. When I'm standing on the platform on the one with a 10' wheel the bottom of the gearbox is about eye level. I usually end up climbing a little higher and setting on the tail arm to get the cover off and add oil. The 8' ones I can reach off the platform. A little age makes a person a little more cautious.

Sure enjoy the great pictures.

I agree Cedarcreek-- several years ago I had to investigate the death of a young BLM employee- that fell only 18 feet off a tower-- but the impact caused such internal injuries it killed him almost instantly....
I've always been a big chicken when it comes to heights- never wanted to go any higher than a horse could throw me :wink: - but as I get older I get a lot more cautious too...