Case Wagon Gears Revisited

[namdc3]

Ok, so I didn't have any takers on my model questions below. So, here's another question. Did Case make any running gears with a floating or rocking front bolster? All of the pictures I've seen of the VWTAs, etc. have a solid front bolster (ie, single piece with the front axle). So, the gear would be rigid or require the box to flex in order for all 4 wheels to stay on the ground (in the event that the reach was allowed to rotate). This seems pretty inferior (albeit cheaper) compared to many other brands of gears with rocking front bolsters. So, what the heck? Somebody bale Case out on this one.
 

[Adirondack case guy]

OK, here you go. The only Case running gear that I could find in my Lit. was this, describing the G20 gear, set up for Ammonia tank. It had a leaf spring bolsters, front and rear.
Loren

 

[chuck machinist]

Have you tried searching the archives case? Type[ case wagon gear numbers] There is a bunch of stuff there on wagon running gear. Let me know hoe you did. Good luck Chuck
 

[massey 333]

I don't know of any MFG that had a rocking bolster as std.it was an option.
 

[CKRICHARD]

The case running gear is one of the shortest turning gear there is inferior no way. the flex comes from the coupling pole, it has a splite from one end to the other.
 

[Eastfork]

I have never seen any running gears with rocking bolsters except for anhydrous tanks. Dad has 2 VWTA gears. We got them about 20 years ago when great grandpa died and pulled them home about 100 miles loaded with old lumber. They trailed so good I remember at times we were going 45 mph! I had a bearing out 10 years ago and went to case for parts and they matched up the bearings but could not get a seal, luckily the old one was still good. They asked me if it was on steel or rubber!
 

[Don Rudolph]

The neighbor has a Case running gear that was purchased new in 1953. It has hauled hundreds of thousands of small square bales and still travels arrow straight at 45 MPH. Great design. Don
 

[1370 pwr in ne]

we have a bunch of running gears includeing 2 case gears.i prefer the solid front bolster. the rocking bolster always sways side to side making the box look like its going to tip over.if its a barge box with a hoist, the box stringers and hoist usually sit on the front bolster between 2 uprights.on a flat bed haywagon just bolt the back to the uprights and chain the front down with 3to4 inches of slack.i still use uprights on the front to get rid of the side to side,just not bolted to the stringers.hope this is helpful.good luck!
 

[Mike in Mn.]

I have an old Case wagon that Dad bought new I think he said in 1948. I will have to get under it and really check it out, I grease it and check the tires on occasion but have never really looked it over good. It still has the original box and it is parked under a lean, so is in good condition. Like some one else said, this one to has hauled hundreds of thousands of bales and is still used all the time. It's one of those that will turn short and make one rear wheel stand still, and pull down the road arrow straight. It still has an original 600/16 Good Year tire on the right front. I have a John Deere from the 50's that my Uncle bought new,It's been a good wagon but doesn't turn short, all the rest on the place are prison made Minnesota wagons, they were a moderate priced wagon and have been very good units for me. Lots of Minnesota wagons around this part of the country.
 

[namdc3]

I knew that all I had to do was put "Case" and "inferior" in the same paragraph to get some good conversation going. Thank you all for coming to Abe's defense. That's all good info. I think I'd still take a rocking front bolster over solid, but it may depend highly on the job and the bed. I've seen plenty of rocking bolsters and literature for other brands that shows them, but I haven"t seen an older Case or Case literature that shows them. So, I don't know that Case had it as an option (at least not before the more modern equipment of the '60s and '70s.) When we threshed this year, we had to borrow several racks, which added a fair bit of time before and after. We have one on a JD gear and another on a homemade gear. We also have my great-grandpa's IH gear on steel that we could build a rack for, but I'd like to find a Case gear too (ideally on steel). That would make 4. I'll keep my eyes open, and may try that chaining idea.
 

[namdc3]

Thanks, Chuck. I did search the archives, and there is a lot of information. Most of it is on the newer Electric gears.
 

[1031D]

I have 4 VWTA gears, 2 are "-S" gears with 15" tires. None of them have a rocking bolster. 2 are under hay wagons and 2 are under 125bu flare box wagons. Problem with adding a rocking bolster was the height of the beams already! I love mine!