Posted by Jonas. on Friday, January 31, 2003 at 7:34PM :
In Reply to: Re:nice swivel frame posted by junkyard dog on Friday, January 31, 2003 at 7:11PM :
Willock built about 40 swivel frame power wagons. The patent was applied for in '46 and it was first used on heavy trucks (2x4 and 4x6 wheel drive) in industry that were suffering many maintenence problems from severe frame flex. Broken frames were "Fish Plated" and the subsequent stiffness of the frame and inability to flex made it virtually useless off- road where complete traction was needed. Since the Power Wagon became the vehicle of choice for different industries that required a tough 4x4 vehicle, it was only natural progression to have the Power Wagon get the conversion also. I'm not sure when the first swivel frame power wagon was built, but it seems that the majority were in the mid 50's, long after the Power wagon was established as a dependable workhorse.
As with everything, there are drawbacks to the swivel... unless you devise a way to lock the frame in place, I dont think it would be a good choice for a rig that you would want to modify to drive more than 45 or 50 MPH. It has some unique characteristics when turning corners. Which is probably why it's not a standard today where people need to drive like they were shot out of a gun!
I think there are only a handfull left. But as the Power Wagon increases in popularity, I think more of them will turn up. I think someone has already built thier own swivel mechanism and installed it in a PW frame. Rumor is that Gus in WY will have a swivel frame also!
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