In the 1880s a programme of modernisation took place. The common sweeps were replaced by spring shuttered wooden sweeps, the wooden windshaft was removed and a solid iron windshaft from another mill installed; larger 4ft stones replaced the original 2ft 9in stones and a new wire-machine replaced the early jog-scry. In addition new quarter-bars were inserted and a collar-bearing to sustain the increase in weight and a new centre of gravity.