The beam pump is one of those really simple mechanisms that have been around for donkey’s years. They are in heavy use in the American South.
The beam pump (like the beam engine) takes the rotary motion from the prime mover, and transfers it into a linear motion.
Thinking about it, a piston in a combustion engine is just a beam engine in reverse.
In the goldfields, a beam pump is one way that was used to pump water out of the mines (one of the disadvantages for mining below the water table). A steam engine makes a good prime mover, and a counterweighted beam pump can have a significant stroke to draw water up from the deep.
At Sovereign Hill there is a working beam pump which you could almost miss, given how big it is!
Should have gotten some video of the beam pump itself in operation – slowly shunting back and forth. I did have a closer look at the prime mover. The comparatively small size of the engine just goes to show how powerful steam engines can be.
Filed under: Shed, Tools | Tagged: Beam Engine, Prime Mover, Sovereign Hill, Steam, Steam engine |
Stu's Shed 
see johnsmachines.com to see a prize winning model of a beam engine, under the Bolton 12 category.
After reading your blog I feel that I must revisit Sovereign Hill. It must be 10-15 years since I was there, and either it has improved ++ or my interests have changed to be more in line with what is on display.
Really enjoyed the pics of the beam pump. And the series about making wheels. Great stuff!! John.
Reblogged this on johnsmachines and commented:
Check out the pictures and description of the steam driven beam pump, and the really nice pics of wainwrighting.