Another Hay Wagon Rebuild

[joewilshire]

I bought an old hay wagon recently and already started the rebuild process.
I am pretty sure it was made by the Electric Wheel Company. The spoke hubs have a stamping in them that says: EWC.
There also is stamped: RS282
Does anyone know what the RS282 means?
I plan on posting pics soon.

Thanks.

Joe

 

[joewilshire]

 

[Artisan]

Rebuilding stuff is great fun...If I were wealthy I would own a paint booth,
AND A PAINTER ! HA!

 

[joewilshire]

Starting to remove the running gear. The sill boards run at an angle from wide in the back to narrower in the front.
I wanted to block both ends up from the outer edges of the 4x4 cross beams but there was so much rot that the sill would just drop


Pulled the gear forward about half way.


Here is a pic with gear removed.
Had to reposition the front blocks until the gear was past half way such that the wagon would not tip forward.





A little wood rot...better shown in upcoming pic...and pretty much just surface rust. Have not seen any rusted through spots, even on the underside.

More pics coming.
Still wanting info, if anyone can help, as to what the "RS282" stamping might mean on the hub...picture in previous posting.

 

[Agent Blue]

Never saw a wagon with that type of steering and a straight front axle. There were probably many different manufacturers applying their engineering skills for the best application. Looks like the transition period between steel and rubber tires.

 

[joewilshire]

That is why I think the sill boards are narrower in the front. When you turn, the tires would hit the boards had they been made wider.

 

[joewilshire]

The gear is adjustable but I'm just gonna leave it long.

The deck was make of 1 x 3 to tongue and groove. Does this help date the gear?

It had drop down sides and back. The front board was set in stake pockets. I think the rebuild will still have drop down sides and back but I want to make them taller. It will strictly be used for hay rides and some light hauling.

Close up of rear axle.

Close up of front axle.

Starting to disassemble wagon to see how it was made. Boy...lots of rot.

 

[slowzuki]

I'm not sure about electric but most of the time the running gear comes bare and the owner built the hay rack. Only in todays era of steel wagons do you see pre-decked wagons sold from a running gear maker.

 

[joewilshire]

Things kinda slowing down...weather is way to warm, hot, humid, to do any painting. Just brushing more rust away.
Will keep you updated.

 

[joewilshire]

Ok...back on track. Using a 3 part system to clean, etch and paint the metal. It is from KBSCoatings.com
Washed the wagon gear Thursday. Out of town for the weekend. Will do part 2 of the system starting Monday afternoon...which is a Rust Blast.
Hope to get paint started Tuesday.
Will post more pics as the rebuild proceeds.

Joe

 

[joewilshire]

Step #2 completed Monday afternoon. Here are before and after pics.


Seems that the Rust Blast etched the metal somewhat.

Starting to paint tomorrow.

Joe

 

[joewilshire]

Painted frame today.


Don't really like the dark red color...it was labeled Oxide Red.
Gonna stop at the store tomorrow and pick up a lighter shade of red and paint over.
Will post pics after that "Color Change".

Still haven't heard from anyone who might know the approximate age. Any help of info is appreciated.
Thanks.

Joe

 

[joewilshire]

Repainted lighter shade of red.
Re-assembled frame and ready to put on new wood.

 

[joewilshire]

Bolted rails on frame. 2 2x6 boards for each rail glued and screwed together.
Cross braces just setting in place to see how they will look.
Will remove cross braces and put a piece of aluminum flashing on top of the rails to help protect against rot.
Then will lag bolt the cross braces in place and cover them with flashing as well.
I plan on using 5/4 x 6 boards for the deck.
Question: Should I use 2 or 3 screws to fasten the deck to the braces? And if the wood is somewhat cupped, should the cup face up...like a U...or down...like a sad face?

 

[MIKE R]

Looks good. The Electric Wheel Company was in business from around 1890 up to 1957 when Firestone bought them out. My guess would be that it is from the 1950's judging by the tires. The older wagon utilized 4 x 28 tires and the ones that are your wagon look to be the later 7.5-20 tires.

 

[joewilshire]

My guess would be that it is from the 1950's judging by the tires. The older wagon utilized 4 x 28 tires and the ones that are your wagon look to be the later 7.5-20 tires.

The front tires are 6.5x16 while the back are 7.0x16. The back tires are Goodyear while the front are Allstate. I googled Allstate tires and they were sold by Sears. Both sets of tires are very much dry rot and I have replacements that were given to me by Dobbs Tire Store. A little bigger with lots of tread but still a little dry rot on the side wall. They will do until I can afford better ones.

 

[joewilshire]

I googled Allstate tires and they were sold by Sears.
Allstate: 1926-1995 (Sears' divestment)

 

[Artisan]

How about a round of THESE puppies from Coker Tire - Buy Vintage Tires and Wheels ?

 

[joewilshire]

Bolted cross boards to main rails using 2x2's and lag bolts.
Added aluminum flashing to rails and cross boards. Started to put deck on.
I begin vacation this Saturday and will not be working on the wagon until Sept. 10.
Will keep you updated.

Joe

 

[yanmars]

Current tires have a code/number stamped on them that will indicate their date of manufacture. Older tires I do not know and it was not uncommon to put older used tires on farm wagons.
If the U is up would that not trap water unless the wagon is always shedded.