Farm Equipment - Electric Wheel Co. running gear

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Electric Wheel Co. running gear

Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=169757
Printed Date: 03 May 2024 at 6:01pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Electric Wheel Co. running gear

Posted By: Dean(IA)
Subject: Electric Wheel Co. running gear
Date Posted: 03 Apr 2020 at 1:10pm

My neighbor has an Electric Wheel Co. running gear according to the data plate.

It is orange and sure looks like the same running gear that A-C sold. I know

that Electric Wheel made many of the rims used by Allis.

I can post a picture if that would help.

Thanks, Dean

PS,

We are safe and warm and fed, so we feel Blessed. All of you, stay well

and God Bless you all.

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Dean(IA)

Replies:

Posted By: AC7060IL
Date Posted: 03 Apr 2020 at 3:58pm

Yes electric wheel manufactured multiple brands of wagon running gears throughout their years. Among the brands that they manufactured for are as follows; Allis Chalmers, Case, David Bradley(Sears),Dakon,IH, MF, New Idea, New Holland, Minneapolis Moline, Oliver, & Wards((Montgomery Wards).

Posted By: Dusty MI
Date Posted: 03 Apr 2020 at 5:26pm

Must be they made them to the specs called for by each company. We had a couple of New Holland, and they sure appeared to be better than some of the others. Sears for one.

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917 H, '48 G, '65 D-10 series III "Allis Express"

Posted By: WF owner
Date Posted: 03 Apr 2020 at 5:56pm

I may be completely wrong, but I thought Badger wagons were made by Electric.

Posted By: AC7060IL
Date Posted: 04 Apr 2020 at 10:31am

Here’s a great article link that discusses EWC’s beginnings. I believe Art’s Way may have also had EWC mfg their earlier running gears?

https://www.hsqac.org/company-once-had-largest-wheel-shop-in-world" rel="nofollow - https://www.hsqac.org/company-once-had-largest-wheel-shop-in-world
Here’s another link that shows a cool older black/white photo of EWC dock workers loading rail cars & delivery trucks with wheels
http://www.idaillinois.org/cdm/ref/collection/qpl/id/1449" rel="nofollow - http://www.idaillinois.org/cdm/ref/collection/qpl/id/1449

Posted By: Ky.Allis
Date Posted: 04 Apr 2020 at 5:39pm

It really doesn't matter. Any running gear including Electric and AC with no way to grease the steering tie rods are JUNK. After just a few years of normal use they are done. I have owned them both and I'm talking from experience. After a short time of use try towing them down a highway and see how fast you get before they are all over the road.

Posted By: AC7060IL
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2020 at 4:13pm

Ky.Allis, I disagree. Junk is such an absolute term. EWC’s wagon gears were built well during their 1960-1970s era. You’re correct about their non-grease zerk tie rod ends which contain either a plastic or metal wear bushing which can be disassembled, lightly greased, & reassembled using an impact wrench in about 2-3 minutes per side. Please note: The tie rod end attaching bolt threads into it’s tie-rod cast housing on 10-12 ton gears(And maybe on the 7-8 ton gears?). If maintenanced once per season, they’ll last.
I too own & operate 5 different EWC built branded gravity wagons for decades. My experience has been that the critical steering slop that you suggest results mostly where the tongue’s rear attaching pin wears itself & wears both ends where it connects to the steering center pivot.
All of mine will behave while being pulled empty behind pickup at 50mph. The worst brand seems to be the EWCs inthat their tongue/pivot assemblies resembles the older narrow David Bradley style. The New Holland & Wards assemblies are similar. They require a more snug pin to reduce slop. The AC, NI, MF, Dakon, Case, & IH generally have a wider flared rear tongue that allows more stability where it connects to its pivot.

Posted By: Ky.Allis
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2020 at 6:28pm

Your right!! If you took the time to disassemble the steering rod joints and lube them they would last longer. But greaseable ball joints have been around a very,very long time and how much more would it cost to add them to a wagon running gear to drastically increase it's life and make it so simple to hit with a grease gun a few times per year.

Posted By: Ed (Ont)
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2020 at 7:02pm

I have drilled and tapped tie rods and ball joints on automotive stuff and installed grease zerks. Maybe some of these could be as well???? Has anyone tried? I’m not familiar with these running gears so totally guessing.