Alan Gifford comments: "The fantail at Heage operates a pair of twin pinions on the rack inside the top of the tower. A hand cranking mechanism is incorporated, to be used if the wind direction has changed significantly since last in use. This entire system was completely overhauled by the contractors."
Alan Gifford comments: "The original wooden brake wheel was strengthened and fitted with cast iron sectional teeth and new brake band, operated by the old lever mechanism. "
Alan Gifford comments: "A temporary site work shop was set up to enable the , cap, wooden brake wheel, iron wind shaft and striker gear to be refurbished. New cast iron teeth segments were fitted to the brake wheel."
Alan Gifford comments: "The great spur wheel is all wooden and very old. It was originally fitted with a double row of wooden cogs to drive the stone nuts. These had been removed long ago and replaced with bolt on iron teeth segments. It was decided to retain the gear and to replace the segments but in order to be able to mill flour using it reinforcing plates of custom made SG iron were inserted between the arms."