Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the front wheels smaller than the rear wheels on wagons?
First, as the diameter of the wheel increases, the draft of the animal decreases, hence making it easier on the horses, mules, and oxen to pull the wagons and carriages. So, a wagon with 48" wheels will pull easier than a wagon with 24" wheels. Now for the second part of the answer; if all wagons had 48" wheels front and rear, we would have an engineering conflict. When we try to steer the wagon, the front wheel would strike the body and reduce the turning radius. Also, the assembly of the fifth wheel would lift the body high in the front. So, to overcome this conflict, we lower the height of the front wheel just enough to level the wagon and increase the turning radius. The results are a maneuverable, easy pulling vehicle.
How much is my farm wagon worth?
Prices vary greatly depending on many factors. But the most discerning factor is originality and authenticity. A wagon that has been untouched may be worth 1000's of dollars more than a wagon that is solid but repainted or altered by the well-intended repairman or farmer.
Can I buy wheels to “fit” my old wood hub farm wagon?
Yes, but each of several hundred manufactures had their own improved design, therefore wheels off one wagon likely will not fit another wagon. To find ones to interchange is very, very hit and miss - not to mention time consuming. We can rebuild from your hub or build new wheels to fit your wagon. We will need your old boxings. This boxing would have to be installed by us in your new wheel.
What is the Boxing & Skein?
The skeins (cast spindle on your wood axle) is a match to the boxing (the cast tapered sleeve in your wood hub). Boxings and skein sizes are numerous and sized accordingly to the capacity of the wagon.
The wheels on my wagon move back and forth on the axle when I shake them, is the axle worn out?
Not necessarily. Your wheel and axle assembly was manufactured with these loose tolerances. Many people today are familiar with a modern Timken bearing axle in which there is no slop, but the old time wagon axle is designed loose in order to create a grease reservoir within the fitting of the axle (skein) and wheel bushing (boxing). On a farm wagon gear the boxing was made approximately 1/8" oversize in diameter as well as length. Due to the design the wagon load is transferred from the wagon to the bottom side of the axle skein and this is carried by the bottom side of the wheel boxing. An old-timer once said that he could tell if his wagon was running with the minimum of drat if he could hear a chuckle of the axles sliding back and forth as he drove down the road, in other words the wagon was floating on the boxing of the wheel.
Should I put leather washers in my buggy wheels to tighten them up?
Yes. Most buggy wheels were designed to accept leather washer seals. We offer these washers supplied in the form of a coil much like a spring. The washers are installed on the nut side as well as the axle collar side, therefore forming 2 seals to capture the lubricant and keep the dirt out. To install them on the nut side, you cut a section of the coil to match the circumference of the nut flange and on the collar side you cut a section to match the ID of the collar flange of the boxing. During clean up of the assembly you will likely find the old dried out leather seals, remove and discard them. Wagon axles did not use leather washers, although we have found steel washers used to take up some end play. We do not offer wagon washers.
What type of grease should I use on my old style axles?
We sell 2 types of axle grease.
Block grease, which is a blend of waxes and grease, is recommended for wagons axles. It is heavy grease in the consistency of cheese and is applied by slicing off a sliver and placing it on the axle. Black graphite grease is recommended for buggies and wagons and comes in a grease gun cartridge and is a stringy consistency. The old blackjack grease of our grandfather's days is no longer available.
Is it possible to put rubber tiring on my wagon wheels?
Yes. But if it does not already have rubber we will have to hot-set steel channel on your wheel and then install extruded (solid rubber) on this new channel. Rubber is available up to 2 ½" wide in round or flat top styles.
Should I repaint my old wagon?
If your wagon has any original paint or even an original weathered look, painting will greatly devalue it by ½ or more. The only wagon I would recommend repainting is one that you know has been repainted in the past and has lost its original value due to this.
How can I identify the maker of my wagon?
Most manufactures proudly marked their wagons with a stenciled or decaled logo on the box side and center of the rear axle. Sometimes wetting this area will bring back remnants of the ID. If nothing is found, then the only hope of identifying the wagon is thorough study of similar wagons with exact matching of hardware and design. There are a few reprint catalogs and books that may help in this investigation, see our book department.
Is it possible to determine the age of my horse drawn vehicle?
Makers rarely marked the date of manufacture on their vehicles. Without a documented history of ownership, a vehicles age can be very hard to pinpoint. One should keep in mind the evolution of vehicle design to help determine the general era of construction. As vehicle manufacturers evolved from one man shops to mass production, and then the automobile era, you will notice the loss of complexity and design being replaced with simpler and faster methods of construction.
My wagon doesn't have brakes, can I install a kit?
Yes. We offer several styles of brake systems including:
