3 Wheeled Wagons

My uncle and I have been building some 3 wheeled wagons. We started with a 3,500 lb torsion axle with hydraulic brakes. It can turn as sharp as a 5th wheel. The first question everyone asks is, “is it tipsy?” The answer is no it is very stable.

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad288/lostfarmer2/IMG_4612_1.jpg

This is one of my wife’s favorite features. The rounded over and sanded edge. It saves on splinters to the backside.

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad288/lostfarmer2/IMG_4604_1.jpg

The old man step to mount the wagon.

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad288/lostfarmer2/IMG_4609_1.jpg

Tie rings on the back for cross ties to lead a youngster.

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad288/lostfarmer2/IMG_4610_1.jpg

Hitch underneath to use as a forecart or hook another wagon.

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad288/lostfarmer2/IMG_4606_1.jpg

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad288/lostfarmer2/IMG_4607_1.jpg

This is the brake peddle. I found some new master cylinders for a 1960’s suburban. They worked great and where cheap and the same which saved rebuilding the brake mounts for each wagon.

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad288/lostfarmer2/IMG_4605_1.jpg

This is the park brake. It is from a dune buggy. You press and hold the bake peddle and then depress the park brake while releasing the peddle. The brake is then locked engaged until you push the brake again to release the park brake. I am pretty happy with the way it works.

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad288/lostfarmer2/IMG_4603_1_1.jpg

This the front wheel assembly. It is a crazy wheel from a potato planter. Similar wheels can be found on drills, self propelled swathers and other implements. The wheel must be stood up straight and rebuild.

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad288/lostfarmer2/IMG_4602_1_1.jpg

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad288/lostfarmer2/IMG_4608_1.jpg

Finished project. In total they are not cheap to build the torsion axle, tires, brakes, steel, and the wood bed will run in the neighborhood of $1,500. But I will say there is no better chore wagon in my mind. You can park this anywhere and still turn around. There are a few refinements that we will make on the design.

Here are some in construction pictures

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad288/lostfarmer2/IMG_4565_4.jpg

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad288/lostfarmer2/IMG_4566_4.jpg