bull wheel

noun

, Machinery.

1. any large driving gear among smaller gears.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bull wheel¹

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30

Example Sentences

Our empty chairs were whipped around by the huge bull wheel before starting the long flight downhill.

From The New Yorker

It was operated by a bull wheel above the top of the tower, the turning ropes running down inside the mast to the foot block and thence horizontally to the operating motor.

From Project Gutenberg

It will be noted that the guys are below the bull wheel so that the boom has a clear swing through a complete circle.

From Project Gutenberg

If I had had a horse worth a cent—but no, the minute he saw that buffalo bull wheel on him and give a bellow, he raised straight up in the air and stood on his heels.

From Project Gutenberg

Perhaps five hundred feet below, friction had checked its plunge, and meanwhile the velvet-running drum, spinning at its maximum velocity by reason of the whirling bull wheel, was unreeling its cable down upon the derrick platform.

From Project Gutenberg