Old wisconsin engine ---- will it work on 10" auger?

[poorboy]

I have an old 10" pto auger that I don't use any more since I bought a swing auger, and I was looking to convert it to gas engine drive and add a self propelled kit to it. I have located an old Wisconsin VG4D engine on my neighbors old Cockshut swather. I was looking to fill bins with it and possibly empty bins with it as well.

Is the Wisconsin engine good enough to put on an auger. Is is too fidgety for winter starting, or starting often as grain trucks come in to dump? I know nothing about these engines except that they are older. This engine does not have overhead vavles, but I do not know if this is a major issue.

I was looking at wheatheart and Hawes agro sp kits for moving my 10"x50' auger and am wondering if one is better than the other for this size of auger.

Does anyone have any experience good or bad with a 10" gas powered auger and sp kit?

Thanks for any help!

[wd9]

Do you have mainly hopper bottom bins?

[poorboy]

I don't have any hopper bottom bins. I am in need of a new auger and I bought a used grain trailer to haul my own grain, so it would be nice to fill it quicker. Guy who sells the 10" augers says that they fit in the chute on the bin door just fine. Trouble is a new Kohler/Onan or Briggs and Stratten engine is only 24 to 27 horsepower, but they are a little too small. Kubota makes a 33 to 35 hp engine, that Hawes Industries sells, works well, but it is $5000 to $6000 new. I can get an old Wisconsin rebuilt for $1200, but they weigh between 400 and 500 pounds. I didn't know if most augers can support a 400 lb engine. I also can't remember how good and engine for starting and running that a wisconsin is. Most of the old sp swathers had wisconsins on them.

I have a poor back, and when I looked at the cost of a new 8" auger with motor and sp mover kit it was about $11000. I thought that was plenty. I could get a 10" with used wisconsin engine, sp mover, and sweep for the same or less money. The 10" would be big enough to fill bins in the fall at harvest, so the cost of the auger wouldn't be a bad if it did 2 jobs.

Perhaps 10" augers are too big for unloading bin? I was hoping to hear from someone who has one to get the pros and cons of it.

If the old wisconsins were high maintence, very finicky engine I was hoping to find out before I bought one.

Thanks for any help.

[wd9]

We had a Case swather many years back that had a Wisconsin V4 motor on it. Dad always kept the air fins clean and from what I remember it was the only thing which didn't break on the swather. You might be better off to get a small diesel for the auger. Aluminum block and sleeved they run forever, are light and you can get parts easily.

[wd9]

Or go to a wrecker and get a VW aircooled motor with transxle and drive the two main wheels and the auger, or an aluminum 4 cylinder with or without the transaxle from a car and put a rad and electric fan on it, power steering pump could run hydraulics. Just ideas.

[wd9]

Sorry 'bout all the posts, but does the motor have an oil filter? If it has one good, if not, not good. Early engines had no filter and apparently were not as good, later and better ones did.

[les]

Can you leave it as a pto auger and run the transport and other stuff off the tractor hydraulics?

[les]

also i dont think a 10 " auger would fit in many of my bins for unloading(if any of them even the new ones) I also have a bad back and was looking for a way unload bins and still be able to walk the next day so I got a brandt grain vac and it works great (about 5000/bus/hr on a full bin).But you cant fill bins with it tho. cost me 12000 bucks.

[poorboy]

The old wisconsin has an oil filter and if appears to run well. I just have no winter experience with it. I was considering the wisconsin because it hooks up just like a regular grain auger motor. I was not looking for a major customization project.

Les, how much work is there with the Brandt vac. I borrowed my neighbors Walinga years ago and it was more work that a drag auger and shovel. Will a Brandt vac work to remove bugs from grain? I was sure impressed with how the Walinga took bugs out ouf wheat and malt barley.

[les]

What kind of bugs are you talking about poorboy?If the bugs are light and small they will maybe blowin out with the dust. I find it hardly any work at all,it has a folding truss arm that unfolds to support the suction hose while extended into the bin. there is quick connect straps that hold the hose to the truss that eliminates lifting and carrying the hose.I find it not a whole lot harder than vacuming the carpet but a lot more fun.Ask the dealer for names of people that own one and call them.It is faster i think than a 10 inch auger.and have been told the same from others who own one.try one out before you buy one and see for your self.

[les]

forgot one big plus too...... no dust what so ever.

[les]

oops one more thought... the truckers sure like it too

[poorboy]

Thanks les,

I have seen lots of Brandts on dealer lots, but have never heard of anyone who has one. It is good to get a first hand report.

[frustrated1]

If you want a testimonial on the brandt vac, you've got mine. No dust. I think it's one of the best investments i've made in my own health. I'm on my second one now as the very first one had some structural problems but we've never had a problem with this one in 5 years. The new ones now have some nicer features and should be more productive. From a full bin you will move more grain than an 8 inch auger, probably closer to 10. As you add the hoses you definetly slow down, cleaning up piles with all the hoses on is just slow but cleaning 14 or 19 foot bins is about the same speed as a sweep but no dust. And the bin is completely clean. We've never had to worry about the grain beetles or whatever they're called but the neighbours had some on thier other farm that they ran through one of these vacs. The bugs were not only killed but mostly were undetectable in the sample. They couldn't handle the pressure of the fan.

The drawback that I see is the maintenance. As we rent ours out we see more wear than most. The drive chain and sprockets need to be replaced every year or so which isn't a big deal. We've had to start replacing hoses now as well which are costly. If you buy one in conjunction with one or two neighbours that you get along with you'll go a long time without any replacements. Doesn't solve the problem of filling the bin but if two of you buy the vac, you've got money for an auger.

[dhewlitt]

way late but we run a wisconsin in the winter
0-40 oil and a good battery and it seems to go as cold as i do.