looking for windmill info (Des Moines, Knoxville: house, purchase, price)

[huntducker1]

i was travelling through knoxville area and saw this cool windmill i believe it was just south of town on highway 5. it was spherical in shape and had 4 arced legs. the directional arrow is at an angle to the ringthat surrounds the sphere. i would like any info on where this might be manufactured, or any contact info would be helpful.

[gypsy77]

I'm not sure what kind of windmill you saw, but if it was a smaller one (not the huge industrial ones) used for residential use I may have some info for you. Check out the website www.windenergy.com

[windlady]

I have seen that exact windmill, also. My parents stopped and visited with the man who makes them at his farm there. The windmill is in his front yard. I have passed it a few times on the way to Des Moines from northern Missouri. My parents asked the farmer about it and he said it is made out of steel and he makes it all by hand. Purchase price is over $1,000. I now have a job where I am not through there as much, but next time I'm through during daylight I plan on stopping and inquiring further as I want to give my dad one as a present. It's the most unusual windmill I've ever seen!

[kinglike]

Sorry,but I don't know qute well either.

[windlady]

Dear Huntducker1,

The info is found! I stopped by the house near Knoxville, Iowa, and asked questions at the home of Danny Mason (who has the unusual windmill - it is called a "spinner"). He said he is not the one who makes them and gave the the following contact information: Gary Dolan of Trenton, Missouri, Phone number 660-359-6967. I called the number and spoke with Gary's wife, Ellen, who was very nice. Gary is a farmer in his 60's. He now only makes a 15' and 25' version of these spinners. Price as of 6/4/07 was $1,600 for a 15' one and $2,600 for the 25' model. Price has gone up over the last year or two due to materials, etc. So this price may change at any time. Ellen said they do not have a website or post their e-mail address as they are semi-retired and don't want to have to handle a large amount of orders. Word of mouth has kept them busy enough as it is. They both have an artistic background and Gary just came up with this on his own. They have patented this invention.

Hope this info helps you out! I think I'll be ordering one soon for my parents once I've discussed it with my husband.

Windlady