There are only two reasons to get into a windmill water system in today’s world.
You’re either 1. Very far from any plumbed water source, or 2. You just like the esthetic looks of the things on your property.
We have three. All are all Aermotors on four post towers. A B and two Ds. They were here before we were. Two of them are operable at this time, one (D) is not but will be when I get some time and it’s not 105 outside. They do require quite a bit of preventive maintenance. You’ll be up them once a week just to check things out and check lubes. Don’t forget to maintain the well seal. It’s critical.
If you don’t get them locked over before a storm, you’ll be buying a new one, or at least a new blade set/ring. Even then, there are no guarantees. If you think you can fix a broken blade set/ring with a big hammer, well maybe so. But you’d better have one hell of a reach on your tractor bucket to bring the (very heavy) set down. You may find that a backhoe works best, but is still a big PITA on a shorter one. The taller units require the block and tackle setup on the high bar. (If you own a helicopter, you can cheat and just sling load them down/up.
) But they still require you to go up and precariously situate yourself while unbolting what’s left of them, and hoping they don’t move/slip and cut your leg/arm/head off.
That’s just the unit itself. You still have to put a hole in the ground and hope it hits a good solid source (saturated) of water for your cylinder and strainer to sit in. I think unless you have a friend in the drilling business, you may find that you can buy a hell of a lot of water from the city before you have a windmill/drill paid for. A hell of a lot.
You’ll need to look into your local and state laws and restrictions before you go forth with it as well. You’re damn near, if not on, an aquifer recharge zone. That may bring up a surprise or two. Not sure.
Bottom line. They do look cool (I think). They do not come with a monthly bill (unless you count the maintenance) based on use. But they can require some attention and precautions.
We love ours (when working). But… it’s a whole lot cheaper to rent a Ditch-Witch and lay out a mile or more of PVC and iron pipe to concrete troughs with float valves than to install a windmill and storage tank(s) from step one. You’ll still need to plumb and either pump or gravity feed your troughs from the tank(s) too. So, keep that (cost) in mind. If you go with a stand-over unit, then fine. But you’ll need a shutdown valve so you don’t pump water out all over the ground. That’s a bad thing, and I don’t think I need to tell you why.
If you do go with one. Aermotor is the only one. Call San Angelo for the best dealer around you.
And for down in your area, step up a size even if pumping from 250’. Not sure of your placement, but a B or a D should do fine. AN A from shallower, or if you just don’t need the water flow volume.
Also depends on how much water you need. A D has about a 11 to 12” stroke. Pretty good water flow. Call Aermotor for details, etc.
They do pop up used on CraigsList now and then too.