Making the type of wheels used in agriculture in the days of steam

      The wheels used on agricultural equipment in the days of steam were mostly of one of two types: wood or iron.

      Wooden wheels trace their ancestry back to the cart wheel used for centuries. The versions used during the steam age consisted of a cast iron hub ( Nave?. I'm not sure if that term was used for the cast hub ), oak spokes, ash rims ( the fellies ), all held together with an iron tyre.

      Iron wheels, on the other hand, consisted of an iron rim, iron spokes ( flat or round ) with a cast iron hub cast in place around the spokes.

      Although iron wheels lasted longer and required less maintenance, wooden wheels were often offered as an option as many farmers preferred them. Remember that the heavy equipment had to be moved around all year round, often in very muddy conditions. This is where the wooden wheels had the advantage. The thicker rims were less likely to slide sideways in the mud.

      In the picture to the left, you can see examples of both types, with wooden wheels on the Burrell threshing drum, with iron wheels on the elevator behind it.

I try to make models as true as I can to the original. When I made my 3 inch ( to the foot, 1/4 scale ) threshing drum, right, I could have made iron wheels but I'd already made this type in the past, so decided to make wooden wheels for this.
 

For the Wallis & Steevens water bowser ( left ) I chose iron wheels.