Sheer legs

The sheer legs that you can see next to the barn of the Tommenmolen is a full-scale reconstruction that we made based on a copy from the MOT collection and from images. 

What are they?

Sheer legs are a two-legged hoist with which you can lift heavy loads and also move them to a limited extent. The device can be mounted and moved. For example, it has been used since ancient times on construction sites to bring up heavy stones. Until the early 20th century, such a device was used in shipping and the military.

Sheer legs consists of two connected legs with a pulley at the top. A rope runs over the pulley to a windlass at the bottom, which has two long spokes that act as a lever. By turning, you can lift a load of several hundred kilos alone or with two without exceptional effort. The device is kept in balance by tethered ropes.

This reconstruction nicely illustrates the principles of drive and transmission, which is the subject of the MOT & GO exhibition you can visit in the mill. School pupils can test it out during the MOT & GO workshop.