Windmill Collection Includes Foreign Models

Windmill Collection Includes Foreign Models AG WORLD When Terry Rodman built a 43-ft Dutch windmill for his wife Kris he never dreamed it would lead to collecting vintage windmills from around the world and creating a business to restore and sell windmills And with his standing windmills in sight of a busy highway near Jasper Minn he also provides tours for interested people just driving by and groups that call ahead     Among the 44 standing windmills are nine that have been shipped from other countries: South Africa China Australia Argentina Canada Brazil and the Netherlands     “I don’t know of any other collectors that have as many foreign windmills as we have ” Rodman says Some he purchased after seeing them during international travels; others came through leads from other collectors     “The double fan windmill made in Hutchinson Kan with two 12-ft fans is the favorite for most people Only three are in collections so they are rare ” he adds The retired welding and manufacturing shop owner built the replica because he couldn’t find one to purchase     Most of the 100 or so windmills are original and often “basket cases” when Rodman receives them in pieces on a pallet With books photos research and help from other collectors he figures out how to put the parts back together and sometimes molds parts for others to cast     To lift and transport windmills he modified a 1978 International tow truck He added 3 ft to the frame and created a bed to mount a boom that reaches 32 ft high With a hydraulic clamp he can raise the windmill and unbolt it from the legs and lay the windmill down     Rodman’s windmills vary from 20 to 60 ft tall but he usually installs them on towers about 40 ft tall People who buy them typically use them ornamentally but they can be hooked up to pump water     His collection includes wood and steel models from commonly known companies such as Dempster Eclipse Flint & Walling Monitor and Perkins and he also has an Iron Turbine made in Springfield Ohio An Aermotor with a 20-ft dia fan is his biggest windmill     The 10-acre Windmill Park keeps the Rodmans busy from rebuilding the metal parts to making and painting the Cyprus wood blades to maintenance work to keep the windmills running     Rodman says he has all the windmills he needs for now and they are all for sale For people interested in taking a tour he suggests calling to make a reservation Besides windmills his collection includes windmill weights and other accessories     Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Terry Rodman P O 366 Jasper Minn 56144 ph 507 348-9621 or 507 204-0012 cell; krodman@frontier com

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.