David Bradley wagon

CPACy · May 2, 2016

Father in law has a decent looking David Bradley running gear and hoist with a metal flare side wagon back in the trees. I'm going to pull it out and do something with it as it seems too good to just leave back there and rot. The tires are decent looking but I don't know if they'd hold air. I've never been around these wagons.

First question, what are the minimum requirements in terms of tires (# of ply, etc)? The one I could see had a size of 205/70R15. I'd probably put corn in it and haul it to town with my farmall H just for fun once or twice a year. Is that enough of a tire for that weight? Probably going to get a good set of used tires since these are probably dry rotted.

Secondly, there is no floor in it. The wood is gone. By the mark along the bottom of the metal sides, it looks as it might have been 2 inch? Does that sound right? Probably want tongue and groove? What kind of wood? What can I coat it with when I'm done?

Lastly, anything special to do with that hoist before using it? Who knows how long it has been since it was last used.

Rich'sToys · May 2, 2016

You can still buy ribbed implement tires. Otherwise, for occasional use any good used car or truck tires should work fine.
I would guess that the floor would be 2" tongue and groove, as you suggested. Any kind of preservative should work, even used motor oil.
Is it a hydraulic hoist? If it were mine I'd make sure the hose was good, then try raising it and see what happens. Then go from there.
Good luck, and post some pictures of the wagon when you get it going.

Dick2 · May 2, 2016

Replace the hydraulic hose before you try that hoist. You can't tell how much that hose has decomposed inside and you don't want a chunks of rubber floating throughout your hydraulic system for the next 10 years!

Larry Davis · May 2, 2016

Good find and well worth the repair needed to make it
function again. I build flat racks using a hoist
from a barge box or a flair box under them. The cylinders
sometimes have some awful gunk lurking in the bottom of them.
I would do what ever possible to get the worst of the sludge out
of the cylinder and like has been mentioned a new hose. Many of the ones I
have dealt with leaked out the breather so I have a good friend
rebuild them. The old cylinders were made for a low pressure
system like your H but be cautious when using on a later model tractor with
a high pressure system or it blows the seals when going past full extend.
Your H may or may not have enough oil capacity to fully raise the hoist.
Two inch treated tongue and grove would be perfect for the floor. Good luck
with your outfit and post some pictures if possible.
Larry D

CPACy · May 3, 2016

Is there a way to open the cylinder usually to get the sludge out? I just got my H, too and was going to change all the fluids so I don't want too much wagon gunk in the tractor. What are these wagon's capacity, bushel wise? 70?

Larry Davis · May 3, 2016

When you remove the hose you will be able to tell if
the cylinder has lots of sludge. Not the easiest but
the cylinder would be best cleaned up removed from the hoist
if at all possible then hang the cylinder by the rod end.
I would think diesel fuel would be a good rinse for the cylinder
but someone will know if it would damage the 0 rings or not.
Taking the cylinder completely apart should not be necessary unless
oil leaks out the breather. Good luck with your H and wagon.
Larry D

David Bradley wagon

CPACy

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Rich'sToys

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Dick2

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Larry Davis

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CPACy

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Larry Davis

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