Grain wagons

[goodcompanion]

I’ve been thinking about converting this heavy running gear I have to a grain wagon to carry sheaves from the field to the barnyard. Right now it is box bed wagon with a very high seat. The box will come off the gear entirely with just a few bolts, I think.

I want to make a new bet that has a sort of dish shape to it, that is made up of slats, not solid. I have seen wagons like this in old photos hauling hay and sheaves of grain, they seem very practical for the task. Does anyone have any good photos of, thoughts on, or experience using such a wagon?

Fallback strategy is just to use a modified flatbed 8 x 16 haywagon. But the grain wagon is so much more elegant in concept.

[grey]

Are you talking about the ones that look like a boat?

[goodcompanion]

@grey 25389 wrote:

Are you talking about the ones that look like a boat?

Yeah, that’s it. Usually no backboard, and the bed sloping upwards fore and aft and on both sides.

[grey]

It’s an elegant design, but far exceeds my meager carpentry skills.

[grey]

I’d have to stick to simple straight lines.

[goodcompanion]

Both very cool. You can really imagine the second one with a huge puff of grain or hay overflowing the sides–it seems like the sides are designed to keep the grass/straw just clear of the wheels.

Also, on the second one, it looks like the angle of the sides can be adjusted somewhat with those iron rings and hooks, that would allow the sides to be supported lower down on those poles that connect to the hubs?

[sickle hocks]

if you can get a hold of miller’s ‘haying with horses’, he has what looks like a good set of plans for something similar…there is a central wagon bed that can be used on its own, and two removable upswept side wings or racks…it looks like a fairly simple build, i’m thinking about it…

he mentions that it is also handy to have it in three lighter pieces as one person can get it on and off the wagon

[grey]

@goodcompanion 25424 wrote:

Also, on the second one, it looks like the angle of the sides can be adjusted somewhat with those iron rings and hooks, that would allow the sides to be supported lower down on those poles that connect to the hubs?

But only on the front, for some reason. I’m not quite sure what’s going on there.

[Andy Carson]

I wonder if sheaves weigh about the same as straw… I looked up the density of straw, and came up with 800 cubic feet per ton loose. At this density, a 12x6x6 foot load would weight about half a ton. This could be a sled load. A sled isn’t as pretty (for sure) but it would probably be easier to load, especially by yourself. Just an alternate thought… I love my sled.

[near horse]

On the 2nd wagon pic it looks like the supports that attach to the hubs allow he sides to pivot open more, although not completely flat. Perhaps to expand load capacity or ease of loading/unloading?

[jac]

I recon the stays on the front of the 2nd wagon have that slide arangement so that the turntable can turn …mabey ?..
John

[Simple Living]

This is a picture of a wagon that my dad owns and we have used only for show. We have some history on it as he purchased it from the estate auction of the original owner. It was made at the Jackson State Pen. in Jackson Michigan in the early 1920’s. The racks that you can see in this picture can be removed and the wagon used as a wagon. The racks are set up in a scissor fashion with the ends fitting into slots in the wagon on the opposing side and a bolt where they intersect. If you are interested in more detailed pictures I would be more than happy to get some and post them here. It really is a wonderful design and fun to show off. If I remember right it makes a standart wagon almost 12′ wide and this one is almost 16′ long.

Enjoy,
Gordon.

[Ronnie Tucker]

in some pre ww2 farm books there are plans for a wagon frame like the one pictured above. ronnie tucker

[goodcompanion]

@Simple Living 25439 wrote:

This is a picture of a wagon that my dad owns and we have used only for show. We have some history on it as he purchased it from the estate auction of the original owner. It was made at the Jackson State Pen. in Jackson Michigan in the early 1920’s. The racks that you can see in this picture can be removed and the wagon used as a wagon. The racks are set up in a scissor fashion with the ends fitting into slots in the wagon on the opposing side and a bolt where they intersect. If you are interested in more detailed pictures I would be more than happy to get some and post them here. It really is a wonderful design and fun to show off. If I remember right it makes a standart wagon almost 12′ wide and this one is almost 16′ long.

Enjoy,
Gordon.

Yes! Yes!

That’s the one I want!

Just seeing this picture and reading your description I can imagine it pretty well. You could carry a lot of sheaves on that! Please do take more pictures, that design is the bomb. I will take a nice hi-res of my “replica” loaded down with rice (yes, rice) and send it to you!

[Author]

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