The jerker works in straight lines, however, oil wells are scattered all over oil fields. The field wheel was devised. The cast iron field wheel also known as a spider wheel, acts as a hub for the jerker line, radiating lines in different directions. It works around the clock and is an essential component of the oil field. A “bent” of heavy timber holds the field wheel horizontally to the ground. Today, field wheels are rare. Fairbank still employs 12 on their lines. In this video, you can hear the wheel singing and creaking and it turns back and forth moving the spinder lines that radiate from it.
Stop Four: Storing and Transporting Oil
Stop Five: Gum Bed Line at Gypsie Flats - Barnes Oil
