Waukesha F-12

Oldiron29

Well-known Member
Question about the front bolster #2959DX first one made for F-12 was webbed or open like an F-20. This was on all F-12 till FS 11755 than changed to solid bolster#3519DAX
FS 59358 and up. Waukesha engine was in F-12 FS501-FS3034 At that time F-12 got IH engine OHV and finished the year at FS4880 in 1933. I see very few F-12 with the webbed bolster, Was there a program to change or up date front bolster to solid?
I see many claimed Waukesha F-12 with solid bolsters even though they should by serial #'s that have the webbed bolster. This is the one tell tail sign that seem to through me off when looking for original waukesha F-12's. Any input on what this does to the value of a waukesha F-12 or not? When were the bolster's changed? oldiron29
 
oldiron29, I do not know, but I can provide this. I do know that IHC provided field upgrades for many of their machines, and often times, when trial machines were in the field, upgrades would be applied to them as a testing ground. In my opinion, finding an early, straight Waukesha would command a premium over one that may have been field updated/upgraded. But, one that has the upgrade is none the less still a Waukesha in my book.

This is all conjecture and opinion on my part, as I truly do not know much about that chapter in the Farmall history.
 
I have read The web bolsters were replaced by the solid ones because they were weak and prone to breakage, they were also not heavy enough to hold the front end down in tough pulling conditions. Broken ones would have been replaced with the solid bolsters once available and some may have been replaced for the weight alone. A Waukesha is a Waukesha and a desirable variant. A later bolster would not be a deal breaker for me. Finding one with an intact governor linkage shield, now that would be something.

The heavy solid bolster was first installed on serial #11756, June 7,1934. Well into the IH motored F12's
 
Yes that is what I had heard weight and brakage. what the book says is all Waukesha came out with the light or webbed bolster first. oldiron29
 
I agree with Toms comments about field changes and upgrades on the front bolster. I think that the weight difference in the earlier casted bolster became an issue somewhere along the way of developing a dependable usable tractor. The Waukesha engine is somewhat lighter as well so the bolster would have been the easiest upgrade to keeping a mounted plow attachment usable. I don't think that there was a serial break on front frame weights as another option. I think you could have got them from the start plus the wide front was also another option that could have been used from the beginning but the heavy bolster was probably the cheapest. The earlier bolster are more prone to breakage as well so it very could have been an upgrade for safety. I have personally had three different Waukesha tractors and they have all had the earlier bolster and one was cracked.
 
Tom, Alway trying to learn more about the old stuff. I know where 4) Waukesha F-12 are close by, can't get anyone to let go of one. Found one for sale in less than good shape and missing part. Weighing my idea of bring home some for parts and build a complete one. Would be fun don't know if it's worth the money. oldiron29
 
Dwayne, I have an F-14 with mounted plow and yeah that front end does come easy.
Seems most of the ones I see around here have had the bolster changed to the heavy one.
You have alot of connections, Is anyone making things like govenor covers, air pipes to breather serial # tags from the hood? oldiron29
 
Old Iron,My Waukesha has the heavy front bolster.I do have the complete governor,and the air pipe.Theres a lady in Morgantown WV that has the serial plates and the correct engraving,Rice equ has her name and it can be found by google

jimmy
 
Thanks James, I no you have been working on one. I have been looking just not sure I am diving in yet! Some say the hunt is the best part of the Journey. oldiron29
 
Old Iron,I also had a question about the orginial gas tank,some one answered me and said the orginial tank had a X marked in the end of it for support.I wander why the parts book does not show a tank for the Waukesha?

jimmy
 
Interesting post. My '34 is #9499. I wasn't sure of the serial number break for the heavier bolster. I guess mine was replaced at one point.
 
That would be Mrs Diener. She continued the business after her husband (Robert) died.He/they do good work.
 
If your waukesha tractor was traded in or during the late 39's to the end of the war there were programs to bring in your old tractor and get an upgrade with a fresh paint job. IHC sold upgrade kits to dealers to change out the front bolster, raise the steering wheel (like the f-14), upgrade the oil filter assembly, and in some cases if the engine was overhauled, a f-14 head with breather would be installed.

Remember, the early f-12's had a single PIE TIN steel wheel. If you ever had the pleasure plowing with that steel wheel, you would see why you were careful holding on the the steering wheel. It would yank that steering wheel out with such fierceness. Those PIE TIN wheels were killers. Then, with the front end so light it would bounce up and down; if it came down too hard and fast the webbed style would break right off. I remember seeing pictures of cast iron hanging from the bolster with chains to give more weight. As a Kid, it wan't fun plowing with a single front wheel.

When the dual heavy front steel wheels came out, that extra weight made a difference.
 
I have a Waukesha engine number 1109 with the web front bolster, an early OHV serial 3076 with a replacement solid bolster and raised steering wheel, and a OHV serial 3154 with w web front bolster.
 
Ron, Thanks this does shed some light on what happened with the light webbed bolster.
Yes I have plowed with an f-12 with solid bolster and frame weights, it did bounce up and down alot. oldiron29
 

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