Hay wagon rehab

SHALER · Dec 15, 2019

Here's the project- an 8x18 tube rack (kicker) hay wagon. Like most, it has two beams running the length of the wagon. On top of those beams are eight stringers, to
which the racks are attached. Then there is the wagon deck itself which is something like 1.5x6 planks in good shape. This is an old wagon and unfortunately the stringers
are not beefy, they are probably oak 2x4's and are sagging on both the right and left sides. The bottom of the stringers are actually coming close to hitting the tops of
the wagon tires when the wagon is loaded. I believe I have a relatively easy and inexpensive solution to shoring up the stringers. That would be getting eight 4"x4"
eight foot posts and place them alongside the existing eight 2x4 stringers. Now for the hard part- how would you recommend I attach these 4x4's to the beams? What bugs
me a little is that I know these 18ft wagon beds flex a bit as they go over uneven ground.

Joe W. · Dec 15, 2019

I have used 2"x2"x1/8" angle iron bolted to the 4x4 and the main beam.

fixerupper · Dec 15, 2019

Might be best to remove the sagged 2x4 stringers completely and replace them with the 4x4 posts. You will not easily straighten the bowed 2x4s without ending up with bowed 4x4s too.

BarnyardEngineering · Dec 15, 2019

Attach them to the beams the same way the 2x4's are attached. On most wagons I've seen some sort of metal brackets are used.

The 2x4's have probably taken a permanent "set" in their bowed down position. That may present a challenge in getting the 4x4's in place.

flying belgian · Dec 15, 2019

I wonder if you even have to attach them to the beams. If you screw the floor planks down to them, where can they go?

showcrop · Dec 15, 2019

I have a wagon that is built that way. The brackets for the sides are made to slip over the ends of 2 inch planks. I rebuilt it ten years ago and had those cross pieces sawn out of white oak. It shows no sag yet. I covered each with aluminum flashing before decking it to keep them dry, The cross members on mine are only 24 inches apart so there are a lot more than if you had heavier ones. You could buy yourself a couple of seasons by sistering something up to them. You need to bolt them together and use plenty of glue for strength and to keep the moisture out or they will be gone in two years.

caterpillar guy · Dec 16, 2019

If you have them inside you could block the stingers up so the rest of the wagon hangs on them for the winter. Then take some water if not in a freezing climate and wet them keep them like that for a while they would bow back up some then let dry. This would straighten them enough to put your new pieces in next to them. They then can be fastened whatever way you see fit to. If kept inside they should not rot out for many years.

r.w.b. · Dec 16, 2019

6x6x5.16"plate set with points aimed at beams and stringers use 3/8x3"lag bolts in each corner.many old truck beds were made this way

Bill VA · Dec 16, 2019

I built a couple of wagons with oak stringers and 4x4 cross members and from a suggestion here used these long landscaping nails. I don t recall how long they were or the diameter, but I predrilled the hole on the stringer enough that the nail would penetrate, not split the stringer and yet hold tight. Drilled thru holes in the 4x4s. Used a big hammer to drive the spikes/nails in and oiled the hole too.

So far, so good.

Hay wagon rehab

SHALER

Member

Joe W.

Member

fixerupper

Well-known Member

BarnyardEngineering

Well-known Member

flying belgian

Well-known Member

showcrop

Well-known Member

caterpillar guy

Well-known Member

r.w.b.

Well-known Member

Bill VA

Well-known Member

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