hay wagon taxonomy

Steve in VA

Well-known Member
Been keeping an eye out for hay wagon/running gear. Not really necessary but looking for a deal. After months I've determined that such things fall into 1 of 3 categories here in central Virginia.

First is the group composed entirely of termite poop and air interlaced with compressed rust. Well on the way to returning to the soil from whence they came.

The second group is basically sound, has no more than 2 tires/wheels, and a tree of at least 4" diameter growing through it. This group is not for sale because, as the owner states; "No, I'm going to do something with that one day".

The third and final group is likewise sound, has no tree, at least 4 wheels and tires, and is actually for sale, but, "That's a good wagon and I'd hate to sell it but, if I did, I'd need at least 3,500$".

And so I keep looking.
 
Yeah. I'm getting closer to going new. It won't cost much more than used, will have new bearings and tires, AND will last my lifetime. The auction down the road had 4 but if you tried to pull them out of the field they would disintegrate.
 
Get yourself a running gear and build one. I make them out of ash. I usually build at least one a year. I've got 14 and 6 more gears to go. Some say I've got a problem but you can't have too many hayracks.
 
Sometimes it is cheaper to just buy new a lot of people including me add the sentimental value to the price and used isn't that good of deal especially a running gear and you figure it will probably need the bearings packed or. Replaced and new tires . And then there's the Peopple that would rather watch something turn back into dust then sell it to somebody who might use it
 
What I've seen is well built wagons for sale are in the $1,000 - $1,250 plus range. I haven't looked at any of these - other than pics on CL.

You are right in that the owners either won't sell because - might use it one of these days or can't sell because their price is so high and they won't yield - so the wagon sits, usually rotting.

I look at a rotten wagon as nothing more than a running gear ready for a total rebuild.

My observations / my neck of the woods / my rule of thumb:

Decent running gear - needs tires and deck, I'll pay $250-300 max.

I figure a deck and hardware will cost about $300 (rough cut lumber). If I were to buy new trailer tires, another $300 or $400. I'm looking for used tires.

All this assumes the bearings are good and I've got a half empty can of paint I can use-up on the running gear.

So $300 for the running gear, $300 for the deck and $300 for tires and I'm up to a $900 wagon. The difference between that $900 wagon and a used $1,000 to $1,250ish wagon is I know what I've got now and for all practical purposes, it's a spanking new wagon. The down side is it's one more thing to do.

I've been on the look out for an "acceptable" wagon that still has some life left with a goal of paying around $500. That gets me into a wagon I can use - maybe I need to patch it in a place or two or repair a tire. I've been lucky this winter and brought home two wagons that are usable, but will need a rebuild in a few years. One was $400 and the other was $550. We're now up to 3 wagons. I have considered an EZ Trail bale basket, but haven't found a used one locally and can load up on a goodly amount of old wagons for the price and shipping of a new bale basket. One thing I like about the wagons is - we are sizing up our shelters to hold wagon loads of hay. The idea is to bale on the wagon and leave it there to sell off of later. If our hay yield is high enough (and it will be this year), we unstack - first in barns and shelters that you can't fit a wagon into and second in our wagon shelters. If we can have enough shelters, we hope to be able to bale up to 1,000 bales if necessary in one day, leave the hay on wagons and park them in our shelters as we fill them - no time out of the day for unloading. Speeds everything up and keeps the rain out of the picture too. If I decide to go the EZ Trail bale basket route, we would flip our wagons - probably break even, maybe make a few $$'s on them.

For me - the problem with buying a new wagon gear that might cost $1,500 (wild guess on the price) is that I still have to buy tires and build a deck. So maybe I'm in $1,800 when finished. I think for me - some used usable/rebuildable wagon/running gear is the way to go.

I've found on CL - you need you're $$$'s ready. Nail the wagon buy within hours of it coming online. I've seen what I think are usable wagons in the $500 range snapped up before I had a chance to react.

Again - my numbers, my area. YMMV.

Sorry for the rambling post - good luck on you're wagon search.

Bill
 
We have a guy not to far from me that sells painted ready to go hardwood flat racks for around $600. All you need is a good gear and a road trip to mid Michigan.
 
Around here, we can buy a really good EZ Trail 9 x 18 basket on Ez Trail 890W gear for $2500 used and excellent and $3800-$4200 new. They are really good gear and you wouldn't be disappointed. Here, is in upstate New York.
 
I've bought 16 running gears within the past 8 years for my parade wagon hobby. Within a 150 mile radius of my home I've been able to find them. All have needed TLC ranging from new tongues built for 2 of them, all needed bearings/races for at least 2 wheels and some for all 4, grinding and welding for repairs, some new standards for the bolsters/axles, and so on. All had rust that needed attention. Surprisingly, to me anyway, there have been opportunities to buy decent running gears under rusty, beat up gravity wagons at a reasonable price. In 2 cases I have bought gears under flat bed wagons where I have asked the seller to remove the flat bed and sell me just the gear. I have paid $500 for 2 of the gears and the other 14 have been under $400. Most of my gears came from Craigslist, 1 from eBay, 1 from the photo ads on this web site, and 4 from casual conversations with people I know. I saw one sitting in a yard, stopped and knocked on the door, made an offer and bought it. You never know. I just took a quick look on searchtempest for 150 mile radius search around Richmond, VA and found one for $1,000. I see your issue. I've found that when I'm really needing to buy one, I check my local craigslist and searchtempest every day. Hope you find something that is decent.
 
You are right with your analysis. Everything used comes in three styles. 1) Piece of junk; burn it or throw it away. 2) Already restored and the vendor wants to charge and arm and a leg. 3) look like junk but solid. Can be restored and price is reasonable.
I looked for 10 years for a homestead in the area before finding one in the third category.
I have enjoyed the last 30 years fixing painting, renovating, restoring and developing. It has been my hobby to maintain the 10 acres as a 1950's small farm with wood siding on buildings painted red & white, no modern plastic or vinyl allowed.
I have also accumulated period piece 1950's farm equipment at local auctions.
When I bring something home my son says: Dad, just another piece for your own auction!!!
Good luck on your hay wagon. Country hobbies are fun.
 
If you see something setting out in the side yard or back lot and it does NOT have a for sale sign on it, just keep on going. If the owner wants to sell he will put a for sale sign on it. Of course you can stop by and try to buy it, but don't be bad mouthing the guy when he won't sell. Remember, it did Not have a for sale sign on it. just my thoughts gobble
 
I've always had two hay wagons on John Deere gear. Then I busted a front spindle in the mud. I realized how much I need two wagons really quick. I had a moment of panic and started looking at auctions. Now I seem to have five good ones suddenly. I don't think I paid over $400 for any and all are much heavier than my broken one.
 
Yes that's true like I say im the same exact way but when somebody stops I just say politely hope it's not for sale
 
(quoted from post at 16:46:38 03/31/16) You need to come to Central Illinois.
Not Mine, But For Sale Locally

I just bought a rack very similar with the same gear for $450 not near as pretty.


Bought a Case VWTA66 at a community sale with a rack on it (poor shape but probably functional with a little work). Gear was right with 4 decent tires for $150. Same sale got a Dearborn gear with all 4 tires (one flat) for $80. I'm just building a mobile chicken coop on it so doesn't need to be primo.
 
I thought I had a problem with 11 hayracks, but I see there are those worse than me. I build mine out of white pine and oak. Also try to build 1 a year. Won't do one this year cause I didn't have any more dry stringers, but sawed 10 pairs this spring. I agree with you that you can never have too many wagons. Prices around here range from $150 to $4-500. Can usually buy one that needs abit of TLC with an ok gravity box for $5-600.
 
I have 4 wagons. 3 are JD 953 gears that I installed metal racks from Gap Hill Farm near Lancaster. 2 were bought thru adds & 2 at auctions. Auctions are hit & miss with pricing. The most important thing with gears is their capacity and tight, adjustable steering. JD 953 gears are very good with both. I get over 150 bales on them. But, once you get all this stuff, you will need a pole barn next.
 
I had to look up what 'taxonomy' meant. You usually don't see that word and 'hay wagon' collide in the same sentence.
 

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