I have never even thought about such a topic, and therefore it all looks quite interesting and strange. It turns out that systems for transferring mechanical energy over a distance, similar to those used hundreds of years ago, are still used to this day. In particular, the jerker system "Pennsylvania" (from the word jerk - to shake), used to drive oil pumps on private landholdings, was widespread in America until the 40s of the last century, was partially used until the 70s, and several installations are working still.
Let's take a look at photos taken at existing facilities in Illinois and see how this system works and how mechanical energy is transmitted over such long distances.
The system consists of a central drive located in a separate room. This is the heart of the system. The drive is made in such a way that the rotational motion of the engine turns into a reciprocating one, which is transmitted to metal rods extending from the room in different directions towards their mechanisms.
The diagram shows the principle of converting energy from rotational to translational.
It looks like a live house, from which drive metal rods diverge, moving back and forth with a certain amplitude.
Inside, the main drive distribution room, or powerbank in American style, looks like this:
Promotional video:
The stock lines stretch for miles from the main shaker.
Rod holders have different shapes and designs of both supports and hinges, depending on the application. There are swivel, swinging, fork holders. There are even devices that reduce or, conversely, amplify the amplitude:
Ultimately, the swing rod approaches the oil pump, driving its rod:
This drive system has proven to be very efficient and economical by using one expensive motor for multiple wells. Moreover, one of the pumps, as a rule, worked to supply the engine with fuel, and the rest pumped oil into the reservoir.
Another way of transmitting translational motion over a distance, which has a more ancient origin, is with the help of wooden beams. In principle, it is similar to the "Pennsylvania" system of metal rods, but technologically simpler and cheaper due to the small use of metal elements.
It all starts with the drive room, the power bank: But instead of iron bars, wooden square beams, suspended on supports, depart from it.
The beam system can also stretch for miles to the wells:
Sometimes, if the track ran in poorly accessible places, it was necessary to build walkways for maintenance and lubrication of the hinges:
Special wheels are used to turn mechanical energy transmission lines:
Since the "Pennsylvania" system of metal rods is nevertheless more technologically advanced and the oil pumps themselves are more convenient to connect to metal rods, then the system provides transition nodes from bars to metal rods:
Ultimately, the oil ended up in underground wooden bunkers.
And from them into wooden mobile tanks for transportation to the place of processing or sale.
Private oil production by small farmers played an important role in the development of America in the 19th century as a technologically advanced power, providing the country with a sufficient amount of cheap and high-tech (at that time) fuel.
Here are more parts and mechanisms of this line:
Field motor on steel frame with steel jerker rods on the James Field. Source: "Conservation district study appendix," Oil Heritage Conservation District Plan, The Corporation of the County of Lambton.