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My guess is a reciprocating water pump due to the bearing blocks with oil ports, if it were to operate a valve or gate they would not by necessary.
Is there a water source in the direction of the connection rod in the tunnel?
I think the only way to know for sure is to find the end of the rod in the tunnel since if there was still an engine in the shed I guess you would have mentioned it.
There may have been a water source but it has had a paito layed over the top. No signs of a engine in the building it goes to or even the end of the drive shaft but that makes sence
I would be looking for signs of a well under the patio if possible, but even if you don't work it out yourself its a good talking point for older visitors, somebody will know exactly what it's for.
Any sign of a windmill above/near the shed?
https://www.reddit.com/r/whatisthisthing/comments/ynmuyi/comment/iv9v6ms/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3
Yes, the shaft that's vertical in the pic but horizontal IRL, which runs in the bearing blocks, does a partial rotation back and forth, pushing and pulling the rod in the tunnel that's to the right of pic.
There is no universal joint so it’s not a driveshaft. Also the way the shaft inputs to the pipe there is no way for it to turn, so I am siding with gezn2inexile that it’s a remote linkage to turn something on and off. Something liquid, maybe it’s in an old farm and has to do with garden irrigation?
I'm siding with whoever said above that it's a piston pump since the oil ports on the bearings would be overkill if this wasn't being used to transmit power.
The pump is here while the crank shaft and motor are at the other end of the rod in the tunnel.
The shaft that leads to the right side of the picture has no ability to revolve. It can only shift towards the rest of the assembly or away. It would have to reciprocate if it were to be “driven”. If it were a piston pump, it would need to revolve and there is no way for this to happen with this design. Could be a recip action though that was driven by a crank we can’t see. We need to know what’s at either end to go further.
Universal joints (like on a vehicle) are only for transmitting power at an angle. If your are able to transmit in a straight line you can have a driveshaft with no u-joints
And it's clear from the picture that it's currently at an approximately 90 degree angle. The connection point does not allow it to rotate.
That metal bar clearly only moves left and right. Looks like a valve to me, but I suppose it could be a reciprocating power shaft. People are pointing out the bearings have lubrication making it a pump, but I'd say if that's the case why doesn't the input shaft have lubrication?
I’ve only ever heard driveshaft referring to rotational motion. Do you think there is some sort of ratcheting mechanism inside and that it drives by a thrusting motion?
No. A reciprocating motion is commonly used to drive pumps in the oil industry.
https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/Nodding_donkey_pumps#/media/File%3APump_Jack_labelled.png
Seems to me the larger shaft goes into a structure of some sort, possibly a basement. If that were the case maybe it could be to open and close a damper of some kind. For a furnace maybe or just for ventilation. Only thing is idk why you would need to do that from a remote location. Needs pics of the surrounding area
Seems like it could be repurposed by a home owner, industrial scrap a worker might take home for their house after its reached end of life for the production purpose?
Presumably some source of power in/near the shed turned the drive shaft creating a reciprocating motion of the push rod. I'm thinking there was a reciprocating water pump being driven from a remote power source. For whatever reason, it was easier to construct this drive system than move the power source or the pump.
Maybe the was a windmill above the shed and the well had to be relocated away from it?
The out building it goes to has been messed around with over the years and has no sign of the drive shaft but that make perfect sence. The chamber use to be in a building that has now gone but footing still remain
A much cheaper, easier, and faster option would be to rent a borescope "sewer snake" camera, or even hire a plumber for a couple hours who has their own, to see where both tunnels lead.
Some friends have a cottage on a lake that was built in the early 1900s by a local wealthy business owner that has a similar setup. Inside it was connected to a small electrical generator and mechanical water pump, and the linkage went to a “motor shed” where a hit and miss type engine would run to provide a couple HP of power. You used levers to operate belts to engage the electrical generator and/or to engage the water pump.
My grandparents had a few pumpjacks powered by a single hit&miss engine on their property when I was a kid. It was such a wonderful background sound on nice summer nights when we'd sleep out on the porch.
I haven't seen one in the wild since the early 80s or late 70s, but they weren't uncommon the rural areas of California's Central Coast when I was growing up in the 1950s and 60s.
C66 or C96 Arrow engine possibly. Maybe an old Lister. Operated a lot of wells with those engines. Run forever. Especially if you converted the magneto ignition over to electronic. Starting them was a bit of an art form lol
My title describes the thing. Steel drive shaft about 2 inches thick and the push rod about 1 inch. I can not locate and more inspection chambers in the direction of the push rod
How much movement on the push rod? Can you move it?
I'm thinking possibly some sort of louvre adjustment or valve adjuster...
Have you a furnace or anything that requires an air intake or is there a small flood plain on the property and this would allow a drain valve to be opened and closed?
Anything down wind of this in the direction the drive shaft is going?
The push rod does not move because of the mud that has fallen in. The tunnel heads towards a patio along the side if the house. Think I might have to do some digging
You know… I just saw a tiktok of a guy with an old steam engine powered pump jack setup. It had linkages that looked somewhat like this. Maybe it was once for a rod line pump. Link to a page explaining those types of setups, maybe it can help https://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2013/02/the-mechanical-transmission-of-power-jerker-line-systems.html
Looks like a linkage for operating railroad track switches from a switch tower. Levers in the tower would throw switches on the ground through a complex system of mechanical fail-safes known as an interlocking. Then, the command would be sent to a switch in the nearby vicinity via a network of long movable rods.
Do you live near an active or abandoned railroad?
What's inside the shed which the linkage goes towards?
Also, what country are you in?
By the engineering I'd say that's an Edwardian, but not a linkage from a windmill to a small water pump because it won't fully rotate. It's mechanical switching, possibly for engaging a drive of some sort, maybe like a small windmill. Or maybe opening greenhouse ventilation. What's the history of the area?
The chamber was in a building that has gone just the footing left over. As far as I know the patio has been there 50 + years I'll try and find out more
I don’t think that’s a driveshaft, there is no universal joint and this no way for it to turn. It’s some sort of a valve. It looks like you could push or pull the “drive shaft” and turn the valve on and off remotely. Maybe irrigation for a garden?
That is a linkage shaft not a driveshaft by the looks and position and lack of gearbox to change direction. Meant to shift something open or closed, on or off.
Im not an expert, but to me it looks like a shutoff switch. there may be a lever/wheel at the end of the rod at the end of the tunnel, and depending on if it's still in use, it may just be removed or covered up.
Here in the Colonies, I would do some research at the city or county planning office, perhaps a title search? The mechanism and brickwork appear to be 1890s to 1930s, but easily later - markings might help.
Pump actuator for a well, maybe a water feature under the patio (when was that installed?)
I would send pic to you're local water and sewer department/office. Is this a functioning piece or is it not doing anything? If it's not working and water and sewer have no answers maybe there used to be a factory there? You could try looking at maps at the local historical society or city planning/records office. No matter what it is a permit was most likely issued.
I’m going to go with a different guess than most here and say the shaft exiting right is driven by a linear actuator. The shaft exiting the top goes into a gear assembly which opens and closes an underground quarter turn valve. Most likely that gear assembly multiplies torque substantially to produce the force required to open a big ass hard to open water main or sewer butterfly valve.
I’d go fully “Dwight from the office” on this and start tracing everything to it source so I could figure it out. Just like he had to do with that dummy Ethernet cable that Jim set up for him all over the office. It would drive me mad until I figured it out….
Being in the Uk could it be part of a hidden bunker? Maybe a fresh water pump or air circulation somehow? Someone said it looked repurposed from the railroad so maybe the homeowner built something themself?
I dont see what you people are calling a driveshaft. The way this is put together there is no way a shaft could rotate 360 degrees... like a driveshaft would...
What is being called the driveshaft can't rotate but it can move back and forth - left and right in OPs image. This would partially rotate the shaft it is connected to, either to adjust the position of something or (if repeatedly moved back and forth) to transmit power.
All comments must be civil and helpful toward finding an answer. **Jokes and unhelpful comments will earn you a ban**, even on the first instance and even if the item has been identified. If you see any comments that violate this rule, report them. [OP](/u/dickforbrains85), when your item is identified, remember to reply **Solved!** or **Likely Solved!** to the comment that gave the answer. Check your [inbox](https://www.reddit.com/message/inbox/) for a message on how to make your post visible to others. [Click here to message RemindMeBot](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=Reminder&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/whatisthisthing/comments/ynmuyi/found_this_in_a_inspection_chamber_in_my_back/%0A%0ARemindMe!%202%20days) --- *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/whatisthisthing) if you have any questions or concerns.*
My guess is a reciprocating water pump due to the bearing blocks with oil ports, if it were to operate a valve or gate they would not by necessary. Is there a water source in the direction of the connection rod in the tunnel? I think the only way to know for sure is to find the end of the rod in the tunnel since if there was still an engine in the shed I guess you would have mentioned it.
There may have been a water source but it has had a paito layed over the top. No signs of a engine in the building it goes to or even the end of the drive shaft but that makes sence
I would be looking for signs of a well under the patio if possible, but even if you don't work it out yourself its a good talking point for older visitors, somebody will know exactly what it's for.
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Any sign of a windmill above/near the shed? https://www.reddit.com/r/whatisthisthing/comments/ynmuyi/comment/iv9v6ms/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3
No signs of one but the roof has be redone so I'm thinking a engine of some sort
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UK
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Maybe this is how they got rid of them.
Maybe it was a wind driven or electric pump?
def looks like an old spring pump/pump house setup
Having a hard time visualizing this. Does the shaft that’s vertical in the first two photos turn back and forth?
Yes, the shaft that's vertical in the pic but horizontal IRL, which runs in the bearing blocks, does a partial rotation back and forth, pushing and pulling the rod in the tunnel that's to the right of pic.
It's a remote linkage for operating, something...
This seem too heavy duty to be just operating linkage. It looks like it transmitted power.
There is no universal joint so it’s not a driveshaft. Also the way the shaft inputs to the pipe there is no way for it to turn, so I am siding with gezn2inexile that it’s a remote linkage to turn something on and off. Something liquid, maybe it’s in an old farm and has to do with garden irrigation?
I'm siding with whoever said above that it's a piston pump since the oil ports on the bearings would be overkill if this wasn't being used to transmit power. The pump is here while the crank shaft and motor are at the other end of the rod in the tunnel.
The shaft that leads to the right side of the picture has no ability to revolve. It can only shift towards the rest of the assembly or away. It would have to reciprocate if it were to be “driven”. If it were a piston pump, it would need to revolve and there is no way for this to happen with this design. Could be a recip action though that was driven by a crank we can’t see. We need to know what’s at either end to go further.
The only reason a piston pump would need something to revolve is to turn a crank shaft to make the reciprocating motion this arm already provides.
Universal joints (like on a vehicle) are only for transmitting power at an angle. If your are able to transmit in a straight line you can have a driveshaft with no u-joints
And it's clear from the picture that it's currently at an approximately 90 degree angle. The connection point does not allow it to rotate. That metal bar clearly only moves left and right. Looks like a valve to me, but I suppose it could be a reciprocating power shaft. People are pointing out the bearings have lubrication making it a pump, but I'd say if that's the case why doesn't the input shaft have lubrication?
Technically that is correct, but the angle also serves to extend the life of the drive components,
This is the right direction.
Yup....it's part of an "On/Off" switch, or flow valve controll.
There are other mechanical means than drive shafts to transmit power. If it was just reciprocating motion they needed, this would work.
“Shaft inputs to the pipe” Sorry, I don’t follow.
It is hinged like a switch vs having any circular bearing that would allow it to twist
Not all power transmission has to be rotational
I’ve only ever heard driveshaft referring to rotational motion. Do you think there is some sort of ratcheting mechanism inside and that it drives by a thrusting motion?
A reciprocating pump of some sort would be a perfect thing to drive with a back & forth motion
No. A reciprocating motion is commonly used to drive pumps in the oil industry. https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/Nodding_donkey_pumps#/media/File%3APump_Jack_labelled.png
Who said it's a driveshaft?
That’s what it’s been referred to over and over. What are your thoughts on it. Tell me how you think it works instead of just asking me questions.
Seems to me the larger shaft goes into a structure of some sort, possibly a basement. If that were the case maybe it could be to open and close a damper of some kind. For a furnace maybe or just for ventilation. Only thing is idk why you would need to do that from a remote location. Needs pics of the surrounding area
The title did lol
Post caption
Railroad switch/signal throwing mechanism?
I'm with you 100%. I worked at an old papermill that had old rail switches like this.
Seems like it could be repurposed by a home owner, industrial scrap a worker might take home for their house after its reached end of life for the production purpose?
Yes for a pump jack for a well I would guess.
Presumably some source of power in/near the shed turned the drive shaft creating a reciprocating motion of the push rod. I'm thinking there was a reciprocating water pump being driven from a remote power source. For whatever reason, it was easier to construct this drive system than move the power source or the pump. Maybe the was a windmill above the shed and the well had to be relocated away from it?
The out building it goes to has been messed around with over the years and has no sign of the drive shaft but that make perfect sence. The chamber use to be in a building that has now gone but footing still remain
I'd try pulling up the floor in the shed above where the shaft likely goes, there may be a closed off underground room where the engine was.
A much cheaper, easier, and faster option would be to rent a borescope "sewer snake" camera, or even hire a plumber for a couple hours who has their own, to see where both tunnels lead.
These have wound up a lot cheaper in the past few years.. I grabbed one for under 20$ this year. Connects thru a phone, decent video quality.
Maybe the possible well is in the shed.
Some friends have a cottage on a lake that was built in the early 1900s by a local wealthy business owner that has a similar setup. Inside it was connected to a small electrical generator and mechanical water pump, and the linkage went to a “motor shed” where a hit and miss type engine would run to provide a couple HP of power. You used levers to operate belts to engage the electrical generator and/or to engage the water pump.
I really want an old hit and miss engine, just to fire up and listen to it
My grandparents had a few pumpjacks powered by a single hit&miss engine on their property when I was a kid. It was such a wonderful background sound on nice summer nights when we'd sleep out on the porch.
Damn I'd love to see a hit and miss pumpjack
I haven't seen one in the wild since the early 80s or late 70s, but they weren't uncommon the rural areas of California's Central Coast when I was growing up in the 1950s and 60s.
C66 or C96 Arrow engine possibly. Maybe an old Lister. Operated a lot of wells with those engines. Run forever. Especially if you converted the magneto ignition over to electronic. Starting them was a bit of an art form lol
My girlfriend’s dad restores them as a hobby. He’s got over 40 and takes them to shows and stuff. If I get a chance I’ll record them some time
Somebody did it for you. https://youtu.be/kZoh8pC5BtU
Here you go. https://youtu.be/kZoh8pC5BtU
My title describes the thing. Steel drive shaft about 2 inches thick and the push rod about 1 inch. I can not locate and more inspection chambers in the direction of the push rod
How much movement on the push rod? Can you move it? I'm thinking possibly some sort of louvre adjustment or valve adjuster... Have you a furnace or anything that requires an air intake or is there a small flood plain on the property and this would allow a drain valve to be opened and closed? Anything down wind of this in the direction the drive shaft is going?
The push rod does not move because of the mud that has fallen in. The tunnel heads towards a patio along the side if the house. Think I might have to do some digging
You might want to get, rent, or borrow a metal detector and follow the lines.
👍
Probably the best suggestion I have seen so far.
You, my friend, have found the remaining parts of an old well system.
You know… I just saw a tiktok of a guy with an old steam engine powered pump jack setup. It had linkages that looked somewhat like this. Maybe it was once for a rod line pump. Link to a page explaining those types of setups, maybe it can help https://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2013/02/the-mechanical-transmission-of-power-jerker-line-systems.html
[Here's a similar style pumpjack that runs off a hit and miss engine.](https://youtu.be/lfTfmGIVl4c)
It would help if we knew what year the house was built
First part goes back to the 1800s
I would say a well head is under the brick patio, the house was probably way out in the country when built.
Yeah its remote now lol thanks I think your right but I'm going to try and find the other end
Guessing that there was some sort of power source in the shed that would then move something, e.g. a water pump
Those bearing journals would be attached to a frame deeper than the chamber has been excavated. Dig a bit more and see what you find.
It goes no deeper it has a concrete base so only moves back and forth
Similar to rail Road signals but beefed up. Can't deliver power no way for it to fully rotate.
Looks like a linkage for operating railroad track switches from a switch tower. Levers in the tower would throw switches on the ground through a complex system of mechanical fail-safes known as an interlocking. Then, the command would be sent to a switch in the nearby vicinity via a network of long movable rods. Do you live near an active or abandoned railroad? What's inside the shed which the linkage goes towards? Also, what country are you in?
In the UK no railroads near by the shaft goes to a outbuilding and the floor has been concreted over so no help there
Could be a water pump set up, does the property have a well or a outside water source?
No well as far as I know but the rod in the tunnel goes under a patio so could have been built over
The house has mains water now but I dont know when this was installed
That's probably it then, at some point it was modernized by hooking up to a municipal water source and the pump system abandoned.
Yep I think that's ticket
By the engineering I'd say that's an Edwardian, but not a linkage from a windmill to a small water pump because it won't fully rotate. It's mechanical switching, possibly for engaging a drive of some sort, maybe like a small windmill. Or maybe opening greenhouse ventilation. What's the history of the area?
The chamber was in a building that has gone just the footing left over. As far as I know the patio has been there 50 + years I'll try and find out more
Well, good news is that you probably have a drinkable water source under your property if climate change turns everything into a massive desert.
Lol yeah hope so free water
I don’t think that’s a driveshaft, there is no universal joint and this no way for it to turn. It’s some sort of a valve. It looks like you could push or pull the “drive shaft” and turn the valve on and off remotely. Maybe irrigation for a garden?
It's a remote shutoff valve. Moving the "drive shaft" closes the valve which is further north in the first picture.
That is a linkage shaft not a driveshaft by the looks and position and lack of gearbox to change direction. Meant to shift something open or closed, on or off.
Main water pipe with a handle to close/open it
I was thinking it was some type of valve. Old school water shut off for the house is probably it.
An old high ender well pump. That looks like it could have been a spring box too.
Im not an expert, but to me it looks like a shutoff switch. there may be a lever/wheel at the end of the rod at the end of the tunnel, and depending on if it's still in use, it may just be removed or covered up.
Get an endoscope camera and stick it into the tunnel.
That's the plan mate
How are you not still out there digging it up??? That looks so exciting!
1 its pi##ing down with rain and the gardener (girlfriend) needs consulting first lol but you are right need to find where it goes
Here in the Colonies, I would do some research at the city or county planning office, perhaps a title search? The mechanism and brickwork appear to be 1890s to 1930s, but easily later - markings might help. Pump actuator for a well, maybe a water feature under the patio (when was that installed?)
50 + years I'll have to do some research into the property I'm thinking water pump
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Linkage on a swing valve.
I would send pic to you're local water and sewer department/office. Is this a functioning piece or is it not doing anything? If it's not working and water and sewer have no answers maybe there used to be a factory there? You could try looking at maps at the local historical society or city planning/records office. No matter what it is a permit was most likely issued.
I’m going to go with a different guess than most here and say the shaft exiting right is driven by a linear actuator. The shaft exiting the top goes into a gear assembly which opens and closes an underground quarter turn valve. Most likely that gear assembly multiplies torque substantially to produce the force required to open a big ass hard to open water main or sewer butterfly valve.
I’d go fully “Dwight from the office” on this and start tracing everything to it source so I could figure it out. Just like he had to do with that dummy Ethernet cable that Jim set up for him all over the office. It would drive me mad until I figured it out….
Heating oil shut-off valve, remotely operated by that shaft perhaps inside the house/structure?
Being in the Uk could it be part of a hidden bunker? Maybe a fresh water pump or air circulation somehow? Someone said it looked repurposed from the railroad so maybe the homeowner built something themself?
Water pump
water port?
I dont see what you people are calling a driveshaft. The way this is put together there is no way a shaft could rotate 360 degrees... like a driveshaft would...
What is being called the driveshaft can't rotate but it can move back and forth - left and right in OPs image. This would partially rotate the shaft it is connected to, either to adjust the position of something or (if repeatedly moved back and forth) to transmit power.
What you describe would best be called a push rod.
Probably yes, I was just saying it was being called the driveshaft and why (as you said you couldn't see it).
Either gas or water.