Can you tell me what this is?

I've caught you all out because its not a plant, this is one for the engineers.
Does anyone have any idea what this piece of machinery is, or was used for.
its beside a small stream/river.

 

Could be an old water pump,missing it`s wheel?It looks like a few bits have snapped off.

 

Oh I think there are quite a few bits missing. :D

 

Whatever it is,it would make a lovely feature in anyones garden Pete. :D

 

Very odd shape even with bits missing - you got a small opening at the front with a tongue, a winding handle, a much large funnel type opening at the back and then a grooved slot at the top.

When I first saw it I wondered if it was some kind of winch but even that doesn't make sense.

Have you any idea what went on in that area??

 

The tube bit on the right seems to suggest a pump - but why a pump. Were there old mine workings in that area.

 

No mine workings as far as I know Peter.
The two half round recesses on the top seem to be some thing like bearings, similar to big end bearings in an engine, probably with a shaft running through and a similar half round on top, bolted down.
There was obviosly something bolted down on the front as well.
As to the winder and cog on the side, who knows?
I've got a suspiscion that there are quite a few cogs missing.

 

Mr Kandy thinks it could be a water powered water pump for pumping water up hill :rolleyes:

 

So does he say how that would work Kandy?

 

Can't tell the size of it, pete, by the photo. Is it actually facing the stream/river?

Could be a winch for pulling in logs from the stream/river? It's definitely solidly mounted.

Maybe it's nothing to do with the stream/river at all just beside it?

Cutting logs from the trees in the forest?

A stone-grindiing machine?

Is this Mystery Object?

 

Amazing how Pete can find all these strange instruments...Did you find out what that "arch bow" was (that you took the picture of)...? I truly would like to find out. I like mysteries...

 

A water driven gribulator, used for cutting wood, water fed through the pipe on the right was fed on to a water wheel held in the top set of bearings, a large gear wheel on the outside connected through an intermediate gear to the gear with the reciprocating shaft on it oscillating the shaft that sticks through backwards and forwards the saw blade was attached to this and the speed was regulated by controlling the water with a valve

 

"No problem, we'll just frangify the gribulator in the computer."

That's the only reference to a gribulator when I googled - but you sounded so convincing, Walnut! Have you been practising for Call My Bluff? :D

 

Exactly...I was thinking of that myself!

just joking, walnut...amazing, your explanation

 

Thanks Walnut, begining to wish I'd not asked.
I bet you've got one of these in you garage. :D in working order of course.

I'd guess its 4 to 5 ft long, its well bolted down and probably pretty heavy.
Its actually on a small island between two streams.
And Miraflores, no I haven't worked out what that bow like object is yet, but this is on the same old estate and could well be from the same era.