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