The photo above shows the "cap" on the Prairie Mill.  The cap houses the brake wheel, Flemish Brake, wallower, and wind shaft.

The main purpose of the cap is to turn the sails into the wind.  It can rotate in any direction.  The cap sits on top of the mill "tower."  It is not bolted or otherwise connected to the tower except by gravity.  The left and right "sheers" are large beams built into the cap that support the cap on the tower.

The tail assembly that is built into the cap enables the miller to turn the cap.  Portions of the tail seen here include the tail pole, four braces, two sprouts,

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