A treadle [from OE tredan = to tread] is a part of a machine which is operated by the foot to produce reciprocating or rotary motion in a machine such as a weaving loom (reciprocating) or grinder (rotary). Treadles can also be used to power water pump

Pump

A pump is a device used to move fluids, such as liquids, gases or slurries.A pump displaces a volume by physical or mechanical action. Pumps fall into three major groups: direct lift, displacement, and gravity pumps...

s (treadle pump

Treadle Pump

A treadle pump is a human-powered pump designed to lift water from a depth of seven metres or less. A treadle is a lever device pressed by the foot to drive a machine, in this case a pump. The treadle pump can do most of the work of a motorized pump, but costs considerably less to purchase...

)

Railways

On a railway, a treadle or treatle is a device that detects the passing of a train, a bit like a track circuit

Track circuit

A track circuit is a simple electrical device used to detect the absence of a train on rail tracks, used to inform signallers and control relevant signals.- Principles and operation :...

 and might be used to put a signal

Railway signal

A signal is a mechanical or electrical device erected beside a railway line to pass information relating to the state of the line ahead to train/engine drivers. The driver interprets the signal's indication and acts accordingly...

 to 'stop'. Treadles are also used to start the sequence of automatic level crossings.

Sewing machines

Many of the early sewing machine

Sewing machine

A sewing machine is a textile machine used to stitch fabric, cards and other material together with thread. Sewing machines were invented during the first Industrial Revolution to decrease the amount of manual sewing work performed in clothing companies...

s were operated by a treadle mechanism linked to the machine by a leather belt.

See also

• Pedal
  Pedal
  The word pedal comes from the Latin and relates to the foot.A pedal is a lever activated by one's foot. The term "foot pedal" is redundant, and should be avoided...
  
  
• Treadle bicycle
  Treadle bicycle
  A treadle bicycle is a bicycle powered by a treadle instead of the more-common crank. Treadles were one of the mechanisms inventors tried in order to position the pedals away from the drive wheel hub before the development of the bicycle chain or in lieu of it...
  
  
• Treadle pump
  Treadle Pump
  A treadle pump is a human-powered pump designed to lift water from a depth of seven metres or less. A treadle is a lever device pressed by the foot to drive a machine, in this case a pump. The treadle pump can do most of the work of a motorized pump, but costs considerably less to purchase...
  
  
• Treadle (railway)
  Treadle (railway)
  In railway signalling, a treadle is a mechanical or electrical device that detects that a train axle has passed a particular location. They are used where a track circuit requires re-inforcing with additional information about a train's location, such as around an automatic level crossing, or in an...
  
  
• Bradford Industrial Museum#Weaving gallery