Vintage Aermotor Windmill Restoration Ep 7: Windmill Raising and Tower Top Inspection

I lift the DIY refurbished 40-foot Aermotor windmill tower. Once up, I show you how I shim the base and pour concrete to make sure it will stand for years to come.

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[Gopaw]

Thank you for this video series. i went through this exact same process a few years back, same Aermoter model and all as a memorial to my Dad. Except for the crane to place the motor atop the tower I worked alone, including raising the tower. I was working without having ever seen the inside of a windmill motor before. What gives me affirmation is how uncannily similar your and my answers to the problems were. You communicate well and your series will help others who come after us; they'll need it. I am an old man and I thought I had heard all the sayings there are. Nevertheless, "two rats in a wool sock, " was new to me and I thank you for it.

[moavbilly]

Jim...I just contracted to have new 40' HD tower and 10' vane built for my ag well. This was a great series and has given me a much better understanding of how this thing

[charlieswearingen]

I enjoyed the video, especially the work at the top of the windmill. As a young man, I remember ranch hands that did service work without modern climbing gear. I climbed to the top once for the view when no adults were around, LOL.

[dualtcase]

Just pulled one of these out of the back forty. Fan was flat on its back on the ground, gear unit underground, the tower on it's side and a large tree had fallen and crushed it. Trees, roots, and brush growing through everything. My grandfather bought it on a dare over 40 years ago, had it flown in by helicopter. Pretty much destroyed now but I was impressed at the lack of rust. Took the cover off the gear unit and had a look, the oiling ring for the guide wheel shaft is the coolest thing, cooler than two ground hogs humping in a cooler at -40. BTW great video series.

[miguelmanuelperez-guillerm]

I just bought a 12' windmill and 40' tower and watched all your films to learn how to manage. Thanks and regards from Spain

[SailorNeptune]

Oh your so lucky! Love the Aermotor windmills, when I was a kid and lived in Ohio we had a farm with a classic two story farm house, red barn, white fence, and the same kind of windmill (same height) and color. It worked and pumped water, survived two tornadoes and is still standing tall and strong. I’ve always loved windmills, they’re so nice to watch in the wind.

[glentaybow]

Jim you are one awesome dude! Loved all your videos on rebuilding this windmill. Your humor, language choices, and expertise are what make these successful. You're also well organized and have a terrific family and support network. Thank you so much. This will help me on my own windmill project here in Central Florida.

[codyrasberry]

That's awesome. It's pretty cool to see someone use an old piece of equipment for more than decoration or at least have plans to. I can't wait to see it once you get her rigged up to a tower.

[marceltimmers]

Hi mate. Who hoo, she's standing tall again. A little piece of American history preserved for an other 70 years. Well done mate.

[carlwhite]

Jim, I download all of your and keith ruckers videos to my laptop for the flights i take once a month to Germany. I loved this series on the windmill as it brought back memories of my teens. We had one of these and once a month i got to ride up in a bosun chair to check it out only to find out years later that the pump had quit years earlier. grandpa thought i liked it . thanks for the vodeos and for keeping old Americana running.carl

[AmericanEnglishMaste]

Great video! Thank you very much for posting this. The safety harness/tool belt information and GoPro footage from top will be a huge help for me. I have a furl ring that seems to be stuck in place. I'll need to get up there to inspect/ Although I've had this windmill for some years, this will be my first time going all the way to the top! Thanks again!

[RobertZeelie-dzzd]

You should design a bucket which you can place over your centre point and then fill it with oil to dampen the movement of the plumb bob. But you can also buy a laser plumb bob nowadays which you setup at the bottom and you centre the top target above the laser. Bright sunlight will actually cause problems.

[Django]

Some of the best how-to videos about old--but still efficient!--tech I've seen. Great job!

[gregarend]

Great job with the videos! So glad I found them. I just bought a disassembled Aermotor A702 (same model as in video), and these videos will help immensely as I assemble it. I watched them all. Thanks for making them.

[bpfirehunt]

1 fireman to another great vid, our training comes in handy when doing projects like this. I too have done the same thing except putting it back up.

[raycecil]

I would have made hinges for the two legs that were touching the ground before it was raised. That way, you could have calculated and measured exactly where to position the tower before it left the ground. All you had to do then, would be to anchor the other two legs. Thanks for the video. Im about to embark on this project myself.

[TrishsBigboy]

I like the use of the old Pymovent rail for the bracing! i have been enjoying this project since you started it! keep the great videos coming!

[rondyechannel]

The towers not very tall! Well until you actually climb one of these your perspective changes. Father owned large communications company so put up many towers guyed and self supporting. Could never go above about 200 ft. till I froze in place! Job: hang a set of brackets at 280' on 340 foot tower. No way! Got a professional climber and they literally danced on top of that thing. I tried 4 times to climb it and failed. I know what you were feeling up there Jim.

Have the same windmill and similar tower to put up here in Oregon so this series was invaluable. Thank you for filming it, and great job too!

[rickl.orchids]

....been waiting for this show, and it sure didn't dissapoint....what a great job of restoration and getting all those folks together for the raising was even

tie admit surprised at seeing a Utuber actually put on safety gear, you, would expect nothing but work to the next project!

[rtkville]

This has got to be the best u tube series I've seen, at least one I've enjoyed the most. I envy you and congratulate you for doing something I always wanted to do myself. Thanks!