walkingbeam
nounUK /ˈwɔːkɪŋbiːm/
US /ˈwɔːkɪŋbiːm/
A walking beam is a long bar that rocks up and down like a seesaw to make a machine work.
The old oil pump moved its walking beam up and down all day.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A heavy pivoted beam in a steam engine that transfers motion to a pump or rod.
The steam engine's walking beam creaked as it rocked back and forth.
3. The rocking beam on top of an oil well pumpjack.
Workers greased the walking beam before starting the pump.
4. A beam used in early sawmills to move a saw up and down.
The sawmill's walking beam powered the big blade.