Water Wheel
2008
Water Wheel
Information by Bill:
Waterwheel History
Half buried in mud and silt, this waterwheel and pump unit was discovered in a field near Halse, near Taunton. It was installed to pump water from a stream up to a farm, a considerable distance away, and much higher than the level of the stream. Here it has been brought back to life. The whole set up is well over 100 years old.
Requirements.
Although it may seem strange to use a water wheel to pump water, quite often the water supply was not in the right place. Houses or farms were often situated well above the level of a convenient stream or river. This wheel would be able to use the power of the flowing water to deliver, either clean well water, or in some cases stream / river water to a reservoir tank which would be situated near the farm or house in a more suitable position.
Construction.
This little wheel would be expected to run continuously, so the main components have robust proportions, and do not corrode easily. The holding tank, supplied by stream or river water, is made of cast iron, together with the outer rings of the wheel, and most of the pump parts. It is important not to have sliding or rotating parts made of the same material, so the pump seal retainers, connecting rod, ( original) wheel bearings, and the two non-return valves are made of Bronze. Bronze is extremely non-corrosive and will last for years in hostile conditions without degrading. It also happens to one of the best bearing materials.
Arrangements have been included to allow lubrication of the wheel bearings, (Manual grease cups) and the connecting rod ends, (oil) but the pumping pistons (rods) would have had no form of external lubrication other than the water.
Operation.
The whole unit would be positioned where a small amount of stream water is allowed to run into the holding tank. Adjusting the sluice gate with the screw wheel on the top of the tank controls the speed of the wheel. The bottom sluice gate, with its rack adjustment allows excess water to go to waste, and not overfill the tank. The drive to the oscillating pump is from a crank, to a connecting rod, and hence to the pump. The pump is arranged to provide water on the forward and return strokes. The total stroke is only four and a half inches. (113 mm.). Bronze non-return valves in pairs prevent the water from flowing the wrong way.
The amount pumped at each stroke is small, only about a cup full, but the pump is continuous in operation, and could pump many hundreds of litres per day to a considerable height and distance.
Restoration.
The pump had run for many years, in a constantly wet environment and would appear to have had little or no maintenance applied to it towards the end of its active life. Wear was extensive on the pump rods, crank pins, bearings and connecting rod, as it would seem no one had lubricated them for some considerable time.
The buckets, which were only sheet metal because they needed to be thin, had disintegrated completely, and have been re-manufactured. These buckets are easily constructed, and fitted. Throughout its operational life they may have been replaced several times, even though each set may have lasted for years. Some of the pump parts were so badly worn they have required renewal, using the old parts as a guide.
Irreplaceable parts like the pump rods have been sleeved, in modern stainless steel, to their original size. The stainless steel allows the pump to work again, and protect the valuable original pump rods from further degradation and wear. Here and there modern grease nipples have been added to improve the lubrication.
© Westonzoyland Engine Trust 2008