Where a gear is not turned by hand, you would use the Multi-Tool, available at the Cantina when you enter the island.
its in the museum on mainstreet of steamworks island :)
The name "Gear Works" may refer to the Poptropica island called "Steamworks Island." -- Gear Alley is the left side of the island away from Main Street -- Gear Shop is the common room (multiplayer) on Main Street (see the related question below)
go on the roof and turn the wheel with your multi-tool.
You use the steam battery in Gear Alley. On number 5.
It's Steamworks Island #14th Island
(The solution is at the related question "How do you beat Steamworks Island")
There is a "multi-tool" used three times on the island. You can get it from the Clockwork Cantina when you first enter the island. To dispense the tool, put the 5 gears in the proper locations on the mounting points : one big gear at the top, one big gear at the bottom, and the three smaller ones connecting them. Turn the crank at the bottom.
the crab on steamworks island is next to the living quarters
You go to Steamworks and head to the museum and there is the Deogen
In the Cantina at the start of the island, there are two large brown gears and three smaller ones. One large brown goes closest to the top gear, then the 3 little blue ones in the middle, and the other large brown one at the bottom. Turn the crank at bottom right to dispense the Multi-Tool.
steamworks island
There is a video walkthrough at the related link below. There are written WikiAnswers solutions at the related questions, as there are for all Poptropica islands. (How do you beat Steamworks Island) (What is the walkthrough for Steamworks Island)