News on reproduction gauges for old Farmalls & McCormick

I posted recently regarding reproduction gauges for my old WD-9 but thought I should begin a new post in hopes that more members would view the following info about reproduction gauges from Stein*r Tractor.

I have recently had more communication with Stein*r Tractor regarding the quality issues of gauges manufactured off shore. Stein*r Tractor certainly seems to have a desire to "get it right" in terms of function and the appearance of the gauge faces. The ammeter that I purchased from Stein*r Tractor is made in the U.S. and it is absolutely perfect--I consider it to be a restoration quality gauge. There are manufacturers for the oil pressure, fuel pressure, and temperature gauges from India, China, and Taiwan. The gauges from Taiwan that Stein*r Tractor presently sell are made exclusively for Stein*r tractor. Stein*r Tractor does also resell the gauges to other suppliers so they can be found on other vendor's websites. The people at Stein*r Tractor feel that the Taiwan gauges they sell do have more original faces than the gauges from India or China--I agree. Here are some comments that I sent to Stein*r Tractor regarding the quality of gauge faces on their Taiwan gauges that I purchased (Some comments have been modified slightly for the benefit of the YT members):

For the most part, the faces on the Taiwan gauges are acceptable with very minor flaws. They are easily identified as reproduction gauges, which prevents me from calling them original restoration quality gauges. Here are some specific comments (Please understand that I am a fussy person who tries to pay close attention to detail):

1. They do not have the Rochester identification around the perimeter of the face and as Stein*r Tractor indicated this is not possible—basically no one can legally print the Rochester name on the gauges without Rochester Instrument's approval (Makes sense!).

2. The temperature gauge has some very minor inconsistencies in the fonts used for the COLD, RUN, HOT zones on the gauge face.

3. I actually ordered a genuine CaseIH fuel pressure gauge this week. It is the real McCoy, but get this—CaseIH has made obvious changes to it so that it no longer looks original. With the exception of the Rochester markings Stein*r Tractor's IHS532 gauge face is a closer resemblance to the original.

4. I also noticed on Stein*r Tractor's website that some of the pre-1947 gauges now have the correct IHC logo on the gauge face. Some observant members had previously pointed out that the reproduction gauges had the block IH symbol inside of the C on the gauge face which was a glaring error.
 
I hear ya dad is restoring a I 9 and the new repro oil psi gauge
the fitting on the back was different than original and the ano
gauge has the block IH on it not the IHC like the other two
 
Red, I am also unhappy with the quality of steiners parts.... I
need gauges for my 41h and 41md. I bought gauges from
oem back in 2010 and if I remember correctly they were
made by rochester. Why can't rochester be contracted to
make gauges for steiner? I personally would rather pay 50 or
60 dollars for a correct american made product then 30 for
an overseas peice of crap. Jim.
 
I ordered a new oil pressure gauge for my F-12 last week from Steiner. Came down to the lesser of two evils I guess. I'll be interested to see if it looks like I hoped it would. When I done my '51 M a few years ago I got them from OEM and was well satisfied with them. If the IHC logo on my gauge is correct I'll be happy. I'd pay twice as much to get a "correct" quality gauge.
 
(quoted from post at 11:53:06 07/21/14) I hear ya dad is restoring a I 9 and the new repro oil psi gauge
the fitting on the back was different than original and the ano
gauge has the block IH on it not the IHC like the other two

What's an "ano" gauge?
 
(quoted from post at 10:53:08 07/21/14)
(quoted from post at 11:53:06 07/21/14) I hear ya dad is restoring a I 9 and the new repro oil psi gauge
the fitting on the back was different than original and the ano
gauge has the block IH on it not the IHC like the other two

What's an "ano" gauge?
It is an "amp" gauge with your right hand one key to the left from the proper typing "home" position.
 
Does Jerry Trcka of Evergreen Restoration rebuild IH guages yet? He works for Rochester Guages. Might give him a call at 715-635-8629
 
I helped a guy fix his JD 530 fuel gauge. After 3 gauges we finally got one to work!!! All were Stiener. If you put the wire on and tightened the nut like it was suppose to be, the bolt turned and that was the end of the gauge. The second one I thought I would put the wires on first and install the gauge. Well the wires moved and turned the bolt and there went #2 gauge!!! Finally with number three, I installed the gauge and then spliced in push on connectors in the wire to push on the bolts (non original). Gauge worked. After about 4 hours of figuring out what went wrong and such, I will NEVER buy another one from them. Guy at Stiener said they had to make them at a price that people would buy??? The $39.95 gauge stinks!!! I told the JD guy next time buy the $120 JD one and it would have been fixed in 30 minutes.
 

That is exactly the information that needs to get back to Stein*r Tractor and obviously you did that. From my communication with Stein*r Tractor, it does sound like they are continuing to correct these sorts of manufacturing problems. How long ago did you help that guy fix his 530 JD gauge? If it was some time ago, it would be nice to know if they have started selling a better one now.

Unfortunately with OEM out of business now, we don't have a lot of other options so we might have to do our best to work with Stein*r--like it or not. The one thing Stein*r Tractor does do is stand behind the product by replacing defective units.

Price point is important if you want to be successful--especially when there is a lot of competition in the market place. I recently considered reproducing an obsolete part for 1977-79 Ford trucks. This particular part is in demand because it is no longer available and are nearly impossible to find used. Ford originally sold the part for approximately $450 and in todays world there is no way I could sell it for less and still make a small profit. Once the interested parties found out the price, guess what......crickets. It was a bit of a lesson in human nature and economics at the same time. Yes, I am one of those guys would pay $120 for a high quality gauge but there are a lot of guys who would rather pay $40.
 
(quoted from post at 03:53:06 07/21/14) I hear ya dad is restoring a I 9 and the new repro oil psi gauge
the fitting on the back was different than original and the ano
gauge has the block IH on it not the IHC like the other two

Dave - It appears that you received an incorrect gauge for your application. We do have oil pressure gauges and ammeters with the script IHC logo. Depending on the year, there are 2 different gauges available. Search our website for "IHS452" for the IHC version and for "IHS454" for the IH version. For the ammeter gauge with the IHC, search "IHS527". Please call me if you need some assistance.

We have the correct "script" version IHC on the Pre-1947 Oil and amp gauges currently. We are actively working on the temp gauge. We anticipate having inventory this fall (Fall 2014) for the water temp gauges that will have the correct "script" version IHC as well.

For the IHC oil gauge, search the "Steiner" website for IHS452
For the IHC ammeter, search the "Steiner" Tractor website for IHS527
The photos are an accurate representation of what we are selling today.

The water temperature gauge is IHS528. You will see that right now it is a block IH with the C around it. This fall, when we get our new stock in, we will update the photo online and for our catalog to reflect the new product.

Also - Sorry for a new username. I could not get in to my old account today.


Elizabeth Gross
STP Customer Service
Lennon, MI
800 -- 234 -- 3280
 
Just a follow up to my earlier post about the gauges. I don't what I was smokin' that day, but my gauges didn't come from O*M, they actually came from Ste*ner. Anyway, they were perfect and have preformed very well over the last 4 years.

I received my oil pressure gauge today, and the logo was the IH with the "C" around it, rather than the IHC script logo. I have since spoke with Elizabeth. I'm convinced that they are really on top of the situation with the guages. They know the issues and are working hard to correct the logo issues with subsequent order from their suppliers later in the year.

The one I received will make due for now and I'll be reordering a "screw in" script logo gauge as soon as they are available. The dash mounted "script" gauge is already available but wont work on my F12.
 

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