WHY USE THE POLDAW WIND PUMP?
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DESIGN CRITERIA
The Poldaw range of windpumps was developed by two UK engineers (Sandy Polak and Paul Dawson) following field experience in Africa in the 1980s. Seeing the potential to apply sound modern engineering principles to appropriate technology wind pumps, they set about creating a new design. Their ambition was to create a highly sustainable, reliable range of wind pumps, locally manufactured (with all materials and parts locally available) and easily maintained with basic tools and skills. They have achieved this. The first Poldaw windpump was thoroughly tested in the UK in the early 1990’s and since then has been licensed into more than 12 developing countries. There are now over 500 Poldaw wind pumps installed in Africa, Asia and South America. Poldaw Designs currently operates as a not-for-profit division of NCEL (Neale Consulting Engineers Ltd.). The Poldaw activities are funded from licence fees and royalties. The key benefits of the Poldaw range of windpumps are: • Robust and long life (at least 20 years, potentially 50+) • Simple maintenance, carried out by owner • Manufactured in any country (universal design – no special materials) • Simple manufacturing techniques (cutting, drilling, welding & some lathe turning) • Sustainable – local maintenance skills and spares supply are assured long term • Provides employment and supports the local economy • Pride in local production instead of imports • Various sized models designed to meet different needs. See http://www.tribology.co.uk/poldaw.htm for further details. The competition is mainly traditional type wind pumps, which are mostly designs originating between 1900 and 1940, using complex cast-iron mechanisms with gears and bronze (or Babbitt) bearings. Traditional wind pumps are heavy and expensive, but more importantly they are prone to failure if not diligently maintained, and can be very difficult and expensive to repair. They are mostly made in USA, Australia and South Africa, and exported to other countries. Physically (from a distance) the Poldaws look very similar to these traditional machines, but in detail they are very different, and have been designed with sustainability, low cost and local manufacture as the prime criteria (but without sacrificing robustness and efficiency). |
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Replacement Transmission Only
Poldaw transmission head with wheel and tail, with adaptors to fit on any tower. |
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Poldaw Technical Information
Download technical info document Give your garden and water feature a new look with this water pumping garden wind pump. |
