Minnesota Wagon

[1370rod]

This wagon box must have spent nearly it’s entire life in a shed as it is in remarkably good condition. Any guesses on how old this might be?
 

[Roger Tomfohrde]

Dad bought a couple just like that from Collins in Zumbrota MN late in 78. Made in Stillwater MN at the prison factory since closed down.
 

[1370rod]

Interesting, thanks you the info.
 

[fastfarmall]

They made a lot of nice running gears and 250 to 400 bushel gravity boxes and Manure spreaders in their days, i had to deliver some stuff their one day with the semi, so i can say i was there,LOL
 

[Farmall 656]

1370rod, This is a topic I have been interested in for awhile. I have brouchures, parts books, manuals, but one thing Minnesota didn't do on the paper materials was to date them as the big implement companies did. The old parts books have dates of production, but when it comes to wagons and boxes it is non-existing. After going through my stuff, my best estimate is the flare wagon you have in picture, #130, and the #125 were made in the mid/late 60s up to the late 1970s. I would love to know more specific dates I just haven't come across that one piece that has dates. I have the #130 flare wagon, 1062 barge box, 1262 barge box, and 1472 barge box that MN made. I need to find a #125 for the complete collection.

 

[paul]

I have had a couple 250 orange Minnesota gravity boxes for a while. They suck. They don’t have a very steep angle, they said they painted with Slip Plate and so everything slides out. Well, probably not at all after the first year anyhow.... I swore I’d never buy another Minnesota wagon.

So, guess what I pulled home last month?

Paul

 

[fastfarmall]

But that one looks like steep slope walls, so that should come out, if you can get the hopper under it,LOL .
 

[DR. EVIL]

The State Prison in Fort Madison, Iowa did some sort of manufacturing, can't remember what, but I had a delivery there one day. Had to show my license to get inside the prison, the dock building was right inside the gate, I opened my doors and backed into the dock. Grabbed the paperwork and went up onto the dock. As soon as I got there the guard comes over and tells me to watch my back, don't get more than a couple steps away from him. Yep, about then I'm feeling REAL good about this delivery stop. They got their skid of stuff, signed my paperwork! I pulled away from the dock, checked the trailer for stray passengers, and slammed the doors.
 

[OleIronKyle53]

I have heard a lot about these but rarely see any... wonder why? I do see sales brochures on them I plan on buying.
 

[Farmall 656]

Paul, Yes the orange 250 gravity wagons were notorious for being tough to empty. But the red gravities, like the one you bought, are far superior to the old ones and many of the current gravity wagons.