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The first wind powered water pumps were introduced to rural Australians in 1876 by the Griffiths family, who adapted these pumps from blueprints imported from America.
These wind powered water pumping systems helped greatly improve the way of life for rural Australians, and in the early 1900’s, the Griffiths family decided on the name Southern Cross for these windmills.
Over a century later, many Australians still rely on these wind powered pumps to provide adequate water for livestock or crops, and ensure their way of life.
Southern Cross Windmills are available in a range of both windwheel and windmill tower sizes, and our experts can help you find the wind powered water pump that best suits your requirements.
Our ‘FA’ Series towers come between 20′ and 60′, and the ‘IZ’ windwheels are available in sizes starting at 6′ all the way up to a 14′ wheel. The dimensions of your windmill will be determined by your surrounding landscape.
The Southern Cross “FA” Series Windmill Towers are available in the following heights:
The minimum recommended tower height for each windwheel size, is as follows:
Wind power is the original renewable energy source. It has been used to power our boats, mill our grain and pump our water for hundreds, if not thousands of years.
Windmills have been a part of rural living in Australia for well over a century, and is a great renewable energy source, in addition to being an Australian icon. Wind powered water pumps have been a part of rural living in Australia for well over a century, and is a great renewable energy source, along with being an Australian icon.
Still one of the best and most eco-friendly water harvesting solutions, a wind powered water pump can be operate seamlessly anywhere there is access to water, whether that be underground in a well or bore, or drawing from a river or dam.
Australia is a famously arid and tough country, and water has always been challenging to come by for rural Australians– so much so that 85% of Australia’s population lives within 50km of the coast.
Before the introduction of the modern windmill to rural Australia, many pastoralists and graziers were restricted by water supply, but when these windmills were introduced, they had the chance to develop large stations and pastoral runs well inland.
Despite being mostly used to draw water from deep bores or wells linked to underground aquifers, wind powered water pumps can also be used to pump from any body of water, such as dams or rivers.
As with any other sector, as technology improves, challengers will present themselves. The most recent challenger to the wind powered water pump being the solar powered water pump.
Wind powered water pumps are proven to have a long term success that remains to be seen with the more modern solar pumps, with many properties across Australia boasting wind pumps that are more than 50 years old and still functioning perfectly.
Windmill accidents make up less than 1% of all accidents on rural properties, so while solar pumps are often regarded as a safer option, they contain a dangerous current, and also pose risk of injury or death.
With a 30+ year design life, and over a century’s experience in supplying wind powered water pumping facilities to Australian families, Southern Cross Windmills are a name you can depend on.
Our windmills are hot dip galvanised, and backed by more than 100 years of successful windmill design, and Australian innovation. Since 1903, we’ve built over 250 000 of our iconic wind pumps.
All Southern Cross Windmills come with a 3-year warranty.
Southern Cross specialise in the design, manufacture, installation and service of wind powered water pump across Australia. We pride ourselves in the design and integrity of every windmill we produce.
Designed to thrive in even the most harsh Australian climates, all Southern Cross Windmills are designed and engineered in house.
Genuine parts are available for Southern Cross “IZ” windwheels and “FA” towers. Parts for past models of wind powered water pumps may be available on request.
With the first windmill decorated with the Southern Cross name rolling off the Toowoomba Foundry line all the way back in 1903, Southern Cross has unrivalled experience in dealing with water pumping needs.
The first wind powered water pumps built by the Griffiths family in the Toowoomba Foundry were improved versions of blueprints designed by an American Engineer, Daniel Halladay, and these were produced well over a century ago, in 1876.
These first windmill pumps allowed rural Australians to move into more arid areas of the country for grazing sheep and cattle, and inland towns and pastoral runs began to spring up across the nation.
Unlike another Aussie classic, the lamington, Southern Cross Windmills origins in Toowoomba are not up for debate, however, both have certainly gone on to become recognisable Australian icons.
Operating out of Queensland to this day – in our Withcott factory – Southern Cross is an Australian owned and operated brand, servicing Australians from all across the country, from irrigators and graziers to rural families and households.
Now comfortably located at the Gilgandra Museum and Historical Society, this 7.3 m Southern Cross windwheel was manufactured and delivered to Mendooran in 1924.
The stunning windmill is now used solely for display purposes, but it pumped water vigilantly for 73 years before it was donated to the Gilgandra Museum and Historical Society by the Payne family.
This timeless windmill is now closing in on 100 years old, and provides a testament to the resilience and dependability of a Southern Cross windmill. At its last service, all that was needed was an oil top up to keep it running smoothly.
Looking to purchase a wind powered water pump to your property? Already have one and are looking to increase your pump capacity?
The Southern Cross Wind Powered Water Pump is can help you meet your specific water storage needs.
Call us today on (07) 4612 7202 for an obligation free quote.
