Chocking and Unchocking the Windmill
Chocking and Unchocking the Windmill
Chocking the Windmill
When preparing to leave the mill for a period, the brake wheel must be chocked. It is customary to leave the mill with the sails in the St. Andrew's cross position. Chocking thus involves wedging lengths of wood between the clasp arms of the brake wheel, resting on the top of the sprattle beam. The purpose is to prevent the brake wheel, and thereby the sails, from turning. It is essential that the chocking prevents rotation in either direction as other mills have suffered from brake wheel damage where a strong wind has turned the sails in the unchocked direction and then a reverse gust has slammed the wheel against the chocks.
Celebration or Mourning Position Chocking
When the sails are left in a position other than the St. Andrew's cross position, chocking in the normal way is not possible without risking damage to the brake wheel. A rope can be tied around the clasp arm nearest to the sprattle beam and the beam itself to hold the brake wheel in position.
Unchocking the Windmill
To prepare the windmill for sail turning the wooden chocks or tied rope must be removed, allowing the brake wheel to turn once the brake is released.
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