heavy agriculture item

[fj505]

Hello everyone, I just picked up this older big heavy industrial piece. I thought it was unique so I picked it up. Anyone know what it is for I was told it was for agriculture. However, I am not sure I know it’s super heavy.

 

[The Cobbler]

It looks like some sort of capstan gear reduction , maybe for marine . not sure what the electrical is doing, it appears not to be connected to anything?

 

[Shiftless]

I second the guess of a gear reduction device. I see an oil fill plug on tip to keep the gears happy. The electrical doesn’t make any sense at all. It must be not related to the function of that chunk of steel.

 

[Oregon Dave]

If it didn't have the electrical fixtures, I would use it as disc ballast; maybe on plow to break through hard-pan. Keep it; it's in a good position for winter driving. Nobody likes warm beer, wet toilet paper or smart-asses - someone here will nail it for you.

 

[loganb]

Gearbox for something. Got a mount plate for the motor and part of the wiring/switch for it...as to for what...who knows. Whatever they needed to drive

 

[fj505]

I hear you thanks

 

[fj505]

Gearbox for something. Got a mount plate for the motor and part of the wiring/switch for it...as to for what...who knows. Whatever they needed to drive

The guy was clearing out his property and I figured instead of getting thrown. I’ll take it. I don’t know what I’ll do with it. Probably nothing just more junk in my yard.

 

[larry_g]

Since the base plate has a motor mount the switch makes perfect sense to me. The exact use of that in past times could have been any thing.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[fj505]

It looks like some sort of capstan gear reduction , maybe for marine . not sure what the electrical is doing, it appears not to be connected to anything?

No, I think at one time it had a electric motor to run the gear, I guess

 

[Oregon Dave]

Gearbox for something. Got a mount plate for the motor and part of the wiring/switch for it...as to for what...who knows. Whatever they needed to drive

Agree the electrical is likely for the drive motor; 'capstan' looks like an industrial tire rim - put some rubber on it; could see it rotating a big feed mixing drum - really big.

 

[RTM]

Could have been used to drive a curved belt for produce transportation, but I think capstan drive makes more sense based on the paint wear.

 

[Bert_]

Winch for a silo unloader

 

[Oregon Dave]

Winch for a silo unloader

Replies from Iowa trump.

 

[TurnipTruck]

That is a reversing drum switch, so it was definitely a capstan winch for something.

 

[fj505]

That is a reversing drum switch, so it was definitely a capstan winch for something.

Interesting

 

[Oregon Dave]

That is a reversing drum switch, so it was definitely a capstan winch for something.

OK, capstan with a V/U shaped spool and no brake. Good way to get somebody hurt. Loads don't always have dead straight pull; an off-line pull or load shift and the lead starts walking up that spool; probably snaps back under the load that monster is built to tote.

Don't capstans have level spools?

 

[Oregon Dave]

Hello everyone, I just picked up this older big heavy industrial piece. I thought it was unique so I picked it up. Anyone know what it is for I was told it was for agriculture. However, I am not sure I know it’s super heavy.

If it still turns rotate the drive sheaves and count how many it takes to move spool a full rotation; 1/4 rotation X 4 if a high ratio.

 

[fj505]

If it still turns rotate the drive sheaves and count how many it takes to move spool a full rotation; 1/4 rotation X 4 if a high ratio.

Will do, after work tomorrow

 

[Bert_]

Other thought is the drive for a manure scraper like in a older pig building.

 

[MiteyF]

Looks like an electric motor mounts to the flat plate, which would turn the small pulley, then the large pulley would turn through the gearbox (I assume), probably at a much lower speed.

That's my guess anyways.

 

[GreyOwl]

How about a sliding gate opener? I don't really know but just throwing another idea out there.

 

[Provincial]

The location of the drive pulley and the shape of the housing indicate a worm drive. 40:1 is pretty common to worm drive gearboxes and they are irreversible. This makes them good for winching.

 

[fj505]

It was a busy weekend for me thank you all for your replies. I unloaded it today. It does turn, when I turn the small pulley. The big pulley turns automatically. Pretty smooth . Now thinking what to do with it.

 

[Oregon Dave]

Was hoping you could provide the gear ratio; see post #18; helps to bracket the usage.

 

[fj505]

The big pulley moves at the same time you turn the smaller pulley.

 

[Oregon Dave]

O.K. trying to get on the same page; how many full rotations of the smaller (drive sheave) 'pulley' does it take to move the larger 'big pulley' one full revolution? - thanks.

 

[fj505]

Once you turn the small pulley, it automatically turns the big pulley

 

[The Cobbler]

what the previous poster is trying to figure out is the reduction ratio, we realize by spinning the smaller pulley the larger one turns, but a full revolution on the small pulley doesn't turn the larger pulley one revolution, does it?

 

[Wrench97]

Turn the large pulley 1 revolution and count the number of turns the smaller one turns.
If it was for a silo it probably ran the conveyor belt style.

 

[The Cobbler]

but if it's a worm drive gear the large gear won't spin and turn the worm . the worm has to spin the driven gear

 

[Wrench97]

That is correct I was thinking pinion driven, so then you have count the number of turn the worm makes to turn the big pulley one revolution.

 

[Oregon Dave]

Appears several understand gear ratio; not the O.P. yet - am in a holding pattern until.

 

[fj505]

It took 30 turns

 

[fj505]

The small pulley turns real easy

 

[Oregon Dave]

If 30 revolutions of the 'small pulley' results in the 'large pulley' making 1 complete rotation then the gear ratio is 30:1

That information may help lead to an identification; will let that stew.

Agricultural equipment: Machinery like augers and feed mixers relied on gear reducers to handle heavy loads and operate at consistent speeds; per A.I. from a Google search; 30:1 vintage gear boxes.

 

[fj505]

It took me a few to understand what you guys meant about how many turns, then I figured it out