Hansen Wheel and Wagon Shop: Horse-drawn Vehicles and Wheels Part 1: Wagons and Running Gear

#horse-drawnvehicles #wagonwheels #hansenwheel
The first in our four-part series from Hanson Wheel and Wagon Shop Doug shows us Horse-drawn wagons and Running Gear.

Joe visits Hanson Wheel and Wagon shop in Letcher, South Dakota. Doug Hanson is the owner of this 40-year-old business, which is the premier builder and restorer of authentic horse-drawn vehicles. They restore and replicate wagons, coaches, carriages and more for horse-drawn vehicle enthusiast, museums, movies, Living History Farms and more.


The first vehicle Doug shows us is a US Army Escort Wagon. These wagons were made from the late 1800s through World War II. Archibald hubs were standard wheels on military vehicles. These wagons kept the military supplied with munitions, provisions, etc. Unique aspects of these wagons were drop tailgate, steel wheels and slightly sloped ends.


Next Doug shows us a John Deere wagon running gear. He explains key features to help identify running gear makers.
1 Stenciled manufacturers name on rear axle.
2 A bolster standard with stake extension pockets makes it able to haul lumber.
3 The wear plate on the doubletree.
4 Break hanger and brake shoe holder sometimes proprietary.
5 For dating–whether wood components are handcrafted or pre-manufactured lumber and pre-manufactured iron pieces.
6 Front and rear wheel the same height. This may tell you what the wagon was used for. Rear area was usually larger for ease of pulling and front wheel smaller for better steering. If both are the same height the wagon was used as a hayrack.


Next Doug shows us an original Lamons wagon, which was a regional manufacturer of wagons in Kentucky.


Horse-drawn wagons were designed specifically for the agriculture and terrain of the region. A stiff pole was used for level was level and shorter distances traveled. A drop pole was used for hillier terrain. Painting became signature decoration used by manufacturers and is used for identifying makers.


Hanson Wheel and Wagon Shop does about 50% restoration and 50% replicas. When you get an original wagon they do a lot of recording and photographing for historical records. When they work on a wagon they want to make sure to restore it in the way it was done originally.


Lastly, Doug shows us a wagon built in the late 50s from Arkansas. He explains the erosion of the handmade elements becoming more and more manufactured components. This is the most important key and dating a wagon.


Watch all the shows in this series
Hansen Wheel and Wagon Shop Part 1: Horse-Drawn Wagons and Running Gear . https://youtu.be/Wee3xz29hCQ
Hanson Wheel and Wagon Shop Part 2:
Stagecoaches, Mud Wagons and Freight Wagons.
https://youtu.be/RxPafQTBKS4
Hansen Wheel and Wagon Shop Part 3 - Horse Drawn Chuckwagons and Road Construction Equipment.
https://youtu.be/6ui2GCxtrk0
Hanson Wheel and Wagon Shop Part 4: Artists and Craftsmen
https://youtu.be/mj-RLFaOHfA

Видео Hansen Wheel and Wagon Shop: Horse-drawn Vehicles and Wheels Part 1: Wagons and Running Gear канала Rural Heritage