A sand motor is device that uses a hopper filled with sand to turn a wheel and thereby apply power to a shaft. These motors were recommended as projects for boys to demonstrate mechanical movements. I plan to use a sand motor as a means of storing energy and rotating a shaft that could power small mechanical devices such as pumps, aerators, or generators.
To make this project as inexpensive and simple as possible I am incorporating homemade wooden bearings and plywood pulleys driven by rope. Each of these devices can be used for multiple projects. It was a fun project to build and has a lot of room for improvement and further development.