Southern Oklahoma windmill not pumping for the weirdest reason!!!! Never seen this happen before!

Come along as I head to Erin Springs, Oklahoma, without Mama, to try to figure out why a windmill isn’t m,asking water. I end up making a new friend while at it!

[@ncbeeguy]

Shane your videos have been very helpful, we bought a farm over a decade ago with a windmill powered well that never worked. Once i found your videos i consumed them every day picking up how they are constructed and operate. I took ours aparted and rebult it and damn if we dont have a water well pumping without the expence of electricity. I and our livestock thank you.

[@OkieWindmiller]

That right there is 100% Awesome!!!! That’s exactly why we have the channel! Thank you for letting me know!!! Good job!

[@ronstuder7643]

I'm continually amazed at how owners invite you to repair their mills and fail to remove the junk, weeds and debris from your worksite. I would be so ashamed to see the resulting video.

[@OkieWindmiller]

You have a good point! I’m the same way. I would have everything immaculate before someone comes to work at my place. Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@sparksalot4950]

I'm guessing that there is no HOA on the old guys property and he does not care about keeping it perfect, he did clean the bottom of the holding tanks and I bet the cows would turn in a positive result of the pump repair !!!😊

[@OkieWindmiller]

Hahah no HOA for sure!!!! Yep the cows were happy he said after he got the tanks full. They were some clean tanks tho!!!!

[@willr69420]

I initially subscribed because of Puddin's Fab shop's referral, and have continued to watch you because of, well, you. You put out interesting content and are worth my time (admittedly at playback speed 2X with closed captioning on😅). Windmill pumps are interesting and so are you. Keep up the good work!

[@OkieWindmiller]

Hahaha thanks for watching any way that you do it!!!!! It’s greatly appreciated! I wasn’t so fond of how this video came out, I had to edit over 1 hour of conversation out, so really only got to use the high points. Thank you for the good comment sir!

[@briankelly1420]

Solar pumps are really clever, but windmills are pure magic! Thank you for the content.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Man you’re right! Can’t beat the amazingness of a windmill!!!!!!

[@jeffbyrd7976]

There are actually wells in our area in NM that don't produce enough water to use a solar. There have been instances where we reinstall the windmill and take the solar out.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Oh wow!!!! That’s interesting!!! I do see the reason to need to do that tho, especially if the pump doesn’t have a low water sensor.

[@stevelalondejr2183]

Being a Well Drilling & Repair biz do you have any angle iron type elevators/set/pair for your pipes, a loop chain for pulling/lifting they'd help you a bunch. Does Pulstar make a corded remote for up and down that would benefit when alone a 10-15' corded one. Brings back memories working in under and thru mills we set/laid most down did the wells/changed screens etc. a lot of 2''' back when and reinstalled/stood the windmills back up. Tri State area OH/IN/MI a lot of Amish here nice to see it still done. We had a 3 legged Aermotor mill for our farm on a 2'' plus an electric 4'' system as our main source we have water here everyone runs off wells towns, homes and farms with irrigation even.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Man we don’t! We just have the dog and the orange elevators for plastic. Yep, I have a remote for the Pulstar, I’m just trying to get to track down an issue with it, I’m my “spare time”……. I will figure it out because I miss it! Sounds like you have an awesome setup!!!!!! Thank you for watching!!!!

[@littlewingpsc27]

They don't make the rods out of stainless steel because stainless steel needs to be in a oxygen environment to not rust. If you keep it always submerged in water, it rots away. Galvanized steel is better for that application.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Thank you!! Good explanation there!!!! Thank you for watching!

[@cristucher5385]

What does it cost getting an old windmill serviced? I'm not close to you but wondering what to expect to pay getting one fixed?

[@OkieWindmiller]

Howdy there! Well as with anything, depends what it needs. If all it needs is oil change, lubed up, and made good again on the tower, we charge $110 plus mileage. If it needs pump work, we charge $4 per foot to pull the pump and rods, and $50 to rebuild the pump. Also depends what brand and size it is………

[@mojo8746]

Hello, do you drill wells and setup windmills and pumps? Just another Oklahoman!

[@OkieWindmiller]

I don’t drill wells because there are so many around, that I will just let them do their thing. Maybe one day tho! It’s been a plan, just never really chased it!

[@chrisingle5839]

After 1 "Thats Crazy", and 1 "Wow", i get the hint and shut up immediately.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Hahahahaha some people don’t hear that when those 2 phrases are said 813 times 🤣!! Thank you!

[@curtisharlan9230]

What kind of a pump did you put on that

[@OkieWindmiller]

The brand is Clayton Mark. It’s a 2” x 14 long or so. Thank you for watching!

[@darrelsilveira]

Have you looked into a wireless remote for your hydraulics? They work great.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Howdy! So I have a remote, but it’s having some issues, so we’ve been not using it. I’m still in the hunt for the problem. Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@BryonBarros-zu2bk]

Sounds like you might be the first person he’s talked to this year. lol.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Hahaha I thought the same thing!!!!!! 😀

[@johnvogel641]

Missed Lorie not being there to run the crane for you.She is such a part of your team,Shane.Great video any how.Keep it up.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Yep, she will be there on the next one tho! I told her she can’t take off anymore without me taking off too!!!!🤣. Thank you for liking the video!!!!!!!

[@EWasteJILL]

Love it! Hi Dudly.😊

[@OkieWindmiller]

Thank you! Wasn’t Dudley awesome!!!!!!!!!

[@davegeorge7094]

When your paying labor shut up or pay for mistakes folks.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Hahahahaha I hear you! Man it’s hard for me to concentrate even without somebody talking my ear off! I wish there was a polite way to tell people. Maybe one day I will not care about their feelings and mention it. That may be this week!🤣 Thank you for watching and commenting!!!!!

[@johnsmart3587]

We miss her, too. Thanks, anyway.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Yep it’s not the same! She shouldn’t be allowed to take the day off!

[@gcrauwels941]

Sometimes I had to talk to a customer when I was trying to concentrate on what I was doing. It was patient of you to talk with him, as you never know how much they may have appreciated it. Question: What range in well depth do you see there?

[@OkieWindmiller]

Yes we get quite a few talkers. I o so he appreciated it very much. Not many people out there to talk to! We see wells up to 300 feet, unless they’re drilled for another purpose and used as a water well.

[@gcrauwels941]

@@OkieWindmiller Thanks!

[@Thomas-bv9mn]

Having owned a lot of windmills, I always put a cap on each joint to hold the rod until it was over the tubing. Remove the cap and catch the rod and connect it, then screw the tubing. We made elevators that grabbed the collars but slid back down the tubing. Have seen cow hair, bones, etc. foul up windmills. I only use two windmills now. I converted all the problem wells to solar.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Hahaha yep! That’s happening a lot these days!!!! A cap is a good idea! I use them to put pipe in the tower , but haven’t used them when pulling pipe and setting it to the side. Good idea!

[@Thomas-bv9mn]

@OkieWindmiller Caps keep the rods and tubing clean when stacked. Now figure out how to make the wind blow when you turn the windmill back on.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Man that’s the trick I need to learn for sure!!!!!!

[@Motorizeify]

Thanks for taking the time to talk with Dudley. That's what I like about your channel is the interaction with all as well as the work.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Man thank you!!!! That’s what I like about y’all also, yall take us as we are! Don’t need a script or any fake stuff! Thank you!!!!!

[@fredbrooks6488]

Thank you for the video sir

[@OkieWindmiller]

Sir you’re welcome!!!! Thank you for your time watching it!!!!!

[@kathleenkruse1015]

Do you know Muller Industries Inc.(windmill company) they are out of Yankton South Dakota?

[@OkieWindmiller]

Sure do! See quite a few around here. They have a great windmill, and beautiful galvanizing! Thank you for watching and commenting!!!!!!

[@kathleenkruse1015]

@@OkieWindmiller She is my cousin, a few years back I got a tour of her business. And how the rebuild and everything that goes into them. Your video's are very interesting and they show me everything that goes on out in the field.

[@OkieWindmiller]

How awesome!!!! Well thank you for watching us! Tell them we love their products!

[@johnsmart3587]

That Dudley is a REAL talker! Thanks for your patience and hard work.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Man he sure was! Just needed someone to listen to him I suppose! Patience is a virtue that I’m working on daily! Thank you for watching and commenting!!!!!

[@Beez4Jesus]

It’s all Puddin’s fault. He’s the one who got me started on this and now, I’m hooked.😂

[@OkieWindmiller]

Hahaha man and I’m glad he did!!!! He did us sooooo good! Please stay hooked!!!!!!

[@comeasyouare4545]

I know how he feels If he was about ten years younger, He'd have done it himself. Was that check valve made out of plastic? If so, it might have been a temporary fix. Instead of replacing the pump.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Howdy there yes he was a go getter! The check valve was the original brass one! Crazy! The pump must have wiggled for many years down there to make that happen, or a machining error……….who knows. I had never seen that before. Thank you for watching!!!!!

[@iamnoone.]

You need a remote control on your crane

[@OkieWindmiller]

Well, I have one, it just has issues that I can’t track down. But you are correct, it would make my life much easier!!!!!! Thank you for commenting and watching!!!!

[@nick540g]

Nice of you to acknowledge Puddin and those who helped get you going. Also appreciate you showing respect to your customer, but your vid would have been more interesting if he had a mic! (The cc does a good job of picking up much of his side, but it would have been better to hear him clearly.) Definitely missed Lori doing her part. Aside from cost, maybe stainless isn't used for rods because the threads are prone to galling?

[@OkieWindmiller]

Thank you sir! Good seeing you back. If he was mic’d, there prolly wouldn’t be a video. If you k ow what I mean. Yes I believe the stainless would gall, but I know there are stainless pipe couplings, but who really knows. Thank you again!

[@althomas6496]

Im 73 still working , I wish I had found your Chanel a month ago, I put up an eromotor windmill last month it was in pieces, your channel would have been a lot of help 😂. Thanks for your time with Dudley most young people dont have time to talk and older folks are often alone for various reasons and people like you are often the only people they communicate with, thank you!

[@OkieWindmiller]

Thank you!!! Good job on the windmill!!!!!! Dudley was wonderful. I kind of figured he “needed’ to talk, so it was great! Thank you for watching!!

[@hermanschepers4739]

Didn't know someone still worked on these. Reminds me of working with my dad's father, Papa. He sold and serviced water well pumps in the Shawnee, OK area and I spent a couple of summers "helping" him, then actually helping once I learned. Never worked on any windmills, but remember working on some Myers rod pumps with tripod and pumpjack just to replace the leather cups in the cylinder. Good times!

[@OkieWindmiller]

Awesome story!!! We love hearing history like that. We’re in Tecumseh, right next to Shawnee. Not many people want to work on the rod pumps, or windmills anymore! Thank you for watching!!!!!

[@cubbyboy8]

Not all repairmen will engage the customers - especially if they started the work. You walked about 10x more without your helper there! Your passion for your trade shows - makes me want to tear down a windmill! Thanks for sharing!

[@OkieWindmiller]

Oh man when she isn’t there, I’m lost!!!!!!! Yes I do have a love for this, most days, lol. It has taken care of my family for a long time so I’m going to keep it alive and keep making customers glad they found us. You need to tear one down and put it all back together, that’s how I got started!!! Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@htalbott1899]

Shane another great vidio, always learn from you,one of my best high school buddies lives in tecumseh we talk and text back and forth, I wanted tell him about you, because he has a large farm near by, his answer was I know both of them ,mom and dad sorry to here you lost your dad some time back.he worked at tinker also,we both grew up in Moore in the 60s only I ended up in texas after viet Nam. Anyway you do a great job working and vidioing, very interesting, Thanks to you and Lorie for taking us along

[@OkieWindmiller]

Thank you! Yes sir it’s a small world for sure! Thank you for sticking with us!!!!!

[@auhunter04]

Im 75, a long loong my big brother wanted a set of weights. Shortly after that we got a load of hay in and of course he and I and a few more guys unloaded it and carried in into the barn. bout half way through Dad asked Jim if he still wanted them weights. of course me being a smart donkey had to augh. now these were about 80 pound bales. I didn't think he could throw one that far. ever caught an 80 pound hay bale when you are about 12 years old? Don't try it Ya know you get around people on ranches and farms you can sure learn a lot by saying unhu. right, really....saves your ears around wife to

[@OkieWindmiller]

Hahahaha you ain’t lyin!!!!! Great story!!!! We just need to listen more!!!!!

[@michaelporterfield7836]

Good job Shane! Pretty bizarre pump failure. That mill looks like one that was put up in that area for a man named Mike St Martin...

[@OkieWindmiller]

I guarantee you are 113% correct!!!!!!!!! Thank you Mr. Porterfield!!!!!!!

[@jodyrayvictor]

I found your aeromotor unboxing video while looking for videos of antique windmills and subscribed. You show other mills and you put the customer first. You referred me to puddins channel (kinda). This was different but I too enjoy talking to people also and we get to see some pretty country in Oklahoma

[@OkieWindmiller]

Thank you! You will love Puddin. I’m glad you like windmills, that means you are cool!!!!!😎. Puddin does a better job of scenery shots, but find my Robson Ranch video, you will love that one!! Thank you for watching and commenting!!!!!!

[@mrclaus859]

Thanks for posting Shane. I missed Lori also. Good job. You sure are fun to watch. Very interesting

[@OkieWindmiller]

Thank you so much Sir! She will be back on the next one!!!!! Thank you sir for sticking around!

[@jimamccracken5783]

I appreciate your work and always have been fascinated with water windmills..You and your wife are most excellent together. Work safe.live life longer ❤

[@OkieWindmiller]

Will do! Thank you so much for watching us and liking what we do!!!!!!

[@MrGypers]

Every service man has that problem of customers talking while you are focused on the job at hand.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Yep it’s part of the job sometimes I guess!!!!!🤣

[@sparky178]

Being an electrician I work with a variety of customers and I absolutely love conversing with them when I’m working. I’ve gotten to know so many people and their stories!

[@OkieWindmiller]

Yes that’s awesome! Sometimes I don’t care for it, due to not being able to concentrate, but I get over it😀. People are amazing and we have figured that what we do isn’t something they get to see everyday, so we welcome it. Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@RickHargraves]

Lori would have had your vice grips ready the undo the rod coupling - strange what happens when the cog is missing a tooth

[@OkieWindmiller]

Oh you know that’s right! I’m like a broken clock when she isn’t around!!! Thank you for watching!

[@steveparker8723]

Been enjoying your videos. Been involved in a little windmill work. Have one on our place I restored and put up.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Thank you so much! We are enjoying learning how to do the job and then make a watchable video. Thank you again!

[@asbestosfiber]

I do that, you get to talking about stuff and you start doing things without paying a lot of attention. takes 4 times as long but it's a lot more interesting

[@OkieWindmiller]

100%! So easy for me to put things in upside down, etc when I’m talking and trying to listen. He spoke so quietly that I have to struggle to hear him over the truck and tools. Was a great day tho! Thank you for watching!!!!!!

[@jackreed3445]

At least you weren't bored while you worked. Glad it worked out for the customer. Take care, jack

[@OkieWindmiller]

Man you’ve got that right! You can learn so much from talking to people like him! He was a hoot. Thank you for watching!!!!!

[@redneckways1617]

So technically you could hook one of these pumps to a pressure tank if you had a way to bypass after the tank gets to pressure….hmmm interesting….i know this comment has nothing to do with this video I’m just going off of the max head of these pumps

[@OkieWindmiller]

Oh yeah you could for sure! I would use steel pipe just to make sure nothing breaks on the pressurized up stroke, and might have to bypass the weep hole, but totally! It wouldn’t be the most efficient, because you’re gonna want water when the wind isn’t blowing…………. Thank you for watching!!!!!

[@marcelo_rcosta]

Gosto muito dos seus vídeos! 9:29 Não seria viável trocar o reparo dessa bomba e colocá-la para funcionar novamente? Ele me parece bem robusta e feita com material de alta durabilidade, diferente das atuais que são descartáveis. Estive pesquisando sobre cataventos em meu país e descobri que tem uma fábrica que produz um com várias melhorias. Pesquise: Kenya Catavento Brasil. Forte abraço do Brasil 🇧🇷 Fiquem com Deus.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Wow those are nice windmills from them! Most of the time we can rebuild the pump, but with the blunter body work beyond limits, it is faster and same price to re-order the repair parts. I don’t stick many parts on the truck since there are so many different ones. Customer opted to just put a new one in it. Thank you so much for watching us and liking us down in Brazil! Big hug from Oklahoma and we promise to stay with God!!!

[@donalddixoninlou]

At least we didn't have to hear to say Mama 97 times. A refreshing change.......

[@OkieWindmiller]

Oh ok. That makes me feel good! Thank you!

[@ramblinman2033]

can you get potable water from a well these days?

[@OkieWindmiller]

Sure can! Windmills aren’t as sanitary as a well with a well seal and pitless adapter, but people still drink out of these daily, especially if it’s running continuously and the water is always fresh!

[@ramblinman2033]

Cool! Now I need to lookup pitless adapter

[@OkieWindmiller]

Haha sorry. It’s a brass fitting that allows your water to exit the casing below the frost line, keeping it all underground. 😀

[@htalbott1899]

I'm the one that told you my windmill came from tractor supply

[@OkieWindmiller]

Howdy!!! Hey, those are windmills too!

[@jeffbyrd7976]

Everyone in this area uses ball and check barrels rather than jugs. But I have never seen a ball check so worn as that one. Some guys say they don't like the customer being there, but I prefer it. Couple of notes, I use the pass-through elevators, so that it's a straight up pull and I back my truck right against the tower so that I can keep my hands on the lift. Dudley found a way to do it! Thanks.

[@OkieWindmiller]

I would love to get different elevators, and may one day, just expensive. I prefer the customer to be there as long as we’re not talking the whole time. Several years ago, we changed our pricing because we got faster. Well if we’re there twice as long, that kills our bottom line. I wish there was a kosher way to explain that to them. I like them there tho so I can show them what I find and they won’t question the repair if they see it first hand.

[@jeffbyrd7976]

@@OkieWindmiller I get that. It's a lose/lose and win/win situation. But if they are chatting a lot, I frequently respond "sorry for being rude, but I am charging you by the hour, so I don't want to stop working. LOL They usually just keep talking.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Hahahah good advice. That will shut them down pretty fast I bet!!!!

[@oklahomesteader]

Thanks for the shout out Shane!! Love seeing your success on KZbin! Told ya!!!! 😁

[@OkieWindmiller]

Thank you sir!!!!! You started it!!

[@Jerhyn7]

Seven words that make algorithms love You.

[@OkieWindmiller]

🤣🤣

[@StephenMaxwell-uz7rk]

Another good video thanks

[@OkieWindmiller]

Thank you!!!!!!!!

[@StephenMaxwell-uz7rk]

Another good video thanks

[@OkieWindmiller]

Thank you Sir! Thank you for watchin!

[@rogermorrill4700]

You need a remote controller for the winch

[@OkieWindmiller]

I have one but I’m trading down an issue with it! I miss it!!!!!!

[@stevegabbert9626]

Off hand, and out of curiosity, about what do one of those brass pumps cost? I'm a talker too, but not everyone is a listener, so I get into it gradually. Also, I'm getting older too and things start hurting easier. I'll be 73 next year.

[@OkieWindmiller]

So anywhere between 3-7 hundred dollars depending on size. There are bigger ones that we don’t use that are much more expensive! 😀

[@stevegabbert9626]

@@OkieWindmiller Thanks for the response. Ok, I guess that sounds about right, since I wouldn't think you can just go down to Home Depot to pick one up. How many farmers still use windmills in OK?

[@OkieWindmiller]

There are a BUNCH of windmills on farms all over the state. I probably have 500 or so customers, maybe more. Some of them have up to 20 windmills!!!!

[@stevegabbert9626]

@@OkieWindmiller Very cool. More than I thought there's be. Thanks.

[@harveystephens6115]

Nice job. Hi Mama!

[@OkieWindmiller]

Thank you! She says hi!!!!

[@RobertFulton-o9j]

I have wondered about using pvc , have been told it would not work on windmills

[@OkieWindmiller]

It works great. Especially for open top cylinders and 2” pipe. . Must use Sch 80 or 120. Also, if it is 1-1/4 pipe, I only use a 2” closed top pump. Doesn’t make the pipe jerk around and does real well.

[@RobertFulton-o9j]

@@OkieWindmiller I'm sure sch 40 would be very marginal at best and cannot be threaded

[@RobertFulton-o9j]

Around here we are told the pumping actions would hammer the pipe out

[@OkieWindmiller]

Man we had other windmillers all use it. I only install 100’ of it. Anything over is steel on top.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Exactly, and it’s all glued together so servicing it is not good. I know windmillers that do it that way still tho. Cheap I guess…….

[@SteadyCreations]

👍😎👍

[@OkieWindmiller]

Thank you!!!!😀