Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Property Projects & Construction Old Fashioned Pond Mill

Hi, I'm trying to help my friend out. He is looking for what he calls a "pond mill". He bought some from our local feed store many years ago, but they no longer have them or know what they are. They are not a windmill or for aeration. He uses them to keep his stock ponds from completely freezing over in the winter time.

I've been trying to find anything at all on the internet, but I'm having NO LUCK at all. They may be under another name? If anyone has ANY information or can point me in the right direction, I would [/i] really[i] appreciate it!

Thanks to all!

Does he mean a circulator?

I know what he means but I also have not seen any offered for years.

They float on the water, have a scoop type wind turbine that turns a vertical shaft going into the water attached to a propeller. As the wind turned the unit bottom warmer water was mixed in to keep an open hole in the ice for the cattle to drink water.

Used to see quite a few of them around here, now none and have seen none offered for sale. Feed stores, etc. used to sell them.

I never had one, but as I recall they worked somewhat. The problem was the same with anything driven by wind, if the wind did not blow they did not work.

I did a search and below is a picture of one running in a U-tube video clip.
VAWT

I think I've seen one of those in my life. No idea where to get one.

There's a pond by me that has one. Last winter when we had a cold windless spell I went by the pond. Completely froze over.

Member Bullhead installed one a little while back. In that thread, Bill Cody said he has one hanging in the shed not being used. Might contact him via PM.

Here is the thread about it:
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=25120&Number=318405#Post318405