old hay wagon

Mike(NEOhio)

Well-known Member
Location
Newbury, Ohio
I have an old wagon with wood axles and tapered iron spindles. The hubs are loose and have worn grooves in the spindles. My guess is the hubs once had babitt bearings. I would like to be able to use it again. Is there anywhere I can get information on repairing the spindles and hubs?
 
No, there was no babbit in them. only steel on steel. Those tapered parts are called a skein. What type of wheel does it have, wood, steel spoke or a demountable disk wheel. The demountable would be a replacement to convert to rubber. If you can provide pictures I may be able to help you.
 
I think if you look close those spokes have been cut off and welded to a car rim. Pull a wheel, left side has backwards nut, and give me 3 measurements, the diameter of both the outside (small) and inside (large) end of the taper part and also the length. I have extra of some of those skeins. They are very tight on the wood part of the axle and held on with a lag bolt in center into the axle. Also give me measurements of the amount of slop in both the inside and outsie of the wheel and if there is any of the tapered part sticking out from the end of the wheel how much. There is a way you can possibly get rid of some of that slop. That wagon was only designed to be pulled as fast as a horse walked. And you should use a very heavy fibered grease in them. Make sure a pictures shows the problemes you are thinking about in that tapered part, the skein. Have at least 4 complete wagons of that type here now. All loaded with machinery parts.
 
Thanks, Leroy. I have to work on my truck today and with some other things it may be a few days before I can get pictures. I'll post back when I do that. This wagon was used behind a baler and corn picker for a long time. Got some miles on it.
 
I can possibly tell you more about your wagon if you can get be some more information like the height to top of both front and rear of your bolsters and the width between center of your tires side to side and the width of the bolsters. Also I may (probably not) be able to tell make depending on how the front bolster axle coupling pole pin is made and how the hounds attach to coupling pole at the back and also can you include a pictur of the way the toung is fastened, stiff height or drop down? Leroy from western Ohio. If you would like you can send pictures direct to me at [email protected] Just only put a couple in an email at a time please.
 
Ah yes, those old wheels. No babbit, no bearings, just steel upon steel. But they were filled with axle grease. Stiff old stuff that you slathered on with a knife, or a piece of shingle or whatever. Was thick and messy and lasted a long time because speed was not a factor.
 
Sounds like you may have some cut off type rims. I.E where some one has cut the steel wheel off and welded on rims for the tires. I had a wagon like that and had it all fixed up for a hay ride. Started the ride and had the rear axle snap in 2 with a load of hay and people. Still have the axles and plan to use on for a cannon I am making
 

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