Brian G. NY
Well-known Member
Notice the style of this hay wagon with the curved slats running up and over the wheels.
When I was a kid, my dad had one of these which fortunately I wasn't old enough to have to load but my older brother and sister did. I only dealt with baled hay.
Anyway, my Dad always called it the hay riggin" and I think he was referring mainly to the part of the wagon with the slats.
I think the reason it was called a riggin' (rigging) is because the regular box was removed and the hay riggin' was installed on the bolsters in its place.
I also remember him telling me it was made of basswood because it was light and easy to bend.
I have looked at a bunch of images of hay wagons on google and can't seem to find any of this style.
Do any of you remember seeing this type of hay wagon?
Was it just a style unique to this part of New York State?
I kinda doubt that.
BTW, Although I was only 9 or 10 at the time, I remember my Dad's being better built than this one.
This one was owned by our neighbor. That barn (built in 1909) still stands and I now own the farm house that went with it.
When I was a kid, my dad had one of these which fortunately I wasn't old enough to have to load but my older brother and sister did. I only dealt with baled hay.
Anyway, my Dad always called it the hay riggin" and I think he was referring mainly to the part of the wagon with the slats.
I think the reason it was called a riggin' (rigging) is because the regular box was removed and the hay riggin' was installed on the bolsters in its place.
I also remember him telling me it was made of basswood because it was light and easy to bend.
I have looked at a bunch of images of hay wagons on google and can't seem to find any of this style.
Do any of you remember seeing this type of hay wagon?
Was it just a style unique to this part of New York State?
I kinda doubt that.
BTW, Although I was only 9 or 10 at the time, I remember my Dad's being better built than this one.
This one was owned by our neighbor. That barn (built in 1909) still stands and I now own the farm house that went with it.