It is called a sweep . It is a turned by a draft animal walking round and round it . The two small pinion gears are power takeoffs to power some type of machinery with a drive shaft . Check out the videos at the old thrasher reunions . They usually have these things running for demonstration purposes . The link below shows one in action.
I've always heard those called a "Whim", and they typically had a winding drum used as a winch in mining or logging.
Guess Bruce is going to need to harness his hamster in order to drive his new accessory set?!?! ;c)
That's the thing about that particular toy...how do I run it ? How did the builder run it ? Why did he build it if he couldn't operate it....ohhhh the injustice of it all. I know...I'll get some oompa loompa's 😀