Windmill Capacities

"The great want of Texas is sufficient water...There is a million dollars lying waiting for the first man who will bring us... a windmill, strong, durable and controllable." These were the sentiments of a writer to the Scientific American in 1860 from what then was remote Texas.

("Inventions Wanted in Texas" Scientific American, N.S.111, No.9, 25 Aug 1860:132)

(Data and Animation provided by Aermotor Co. )

Pumping capacities of Aermotor windmills are shown in the table below are approximate, based on the mill set on the long stroke, operating in a 15 to 20 mile per hour wind. The short stroke increases elevation by one-third, and reduces pumping capacities by one-fourth.

Click here to see an animation of: How a Windmill Works  or How a Cylinder Works

Size of Cylinder Inches
*Capacity per Hour, Gallons
Elevation in Feet to Which Water Can Be Raised
Size of Aermotor Windmill
6 ft. 8-16 ft. 6 ft. 8 ft. 10 ft. 12 ft. 14ft. 16ft.
1-7/8 125 180 120 175 260 390 560 920
2 130 190 95 140 215 320 460 750
2-1/4 180 260 77 112 170 250 360 590
2-1/2 225 325 65 94 140 210 300 490
2-3/4 265 385 56 80 120 180 260 425
3 320 470 47 68 100 155 220 360
3-1/2 440 640 35 50 76 115 160 265
3-3/4   730     65 98 143 230
570 830 27 37 58 86 125 200
900 1300 17 25 37 55 80 130
6   1875   17 25 38 55 85

Call for Information on Aermotor 20ft Mill which can go to a depth of 1200ft.

Selecting your Aermotor Mill

  1. Estimate your daily water requirements.
  2. Estimate pumping capacity based on 4 to 5 hours pumping time per day. This will vary depending on locality.
  3. Choose cylinder size that will provide the necessary volume of water.
  4. Determine total elevation from low in the well to the discharge level.
  5. Select Aermotor size to accommodate total elevation and cylinder size.
  6. Select tower with sufficient height to position windmill at least 15 feet above any surrounding wind obstructions within 400 feet.