I have a Austin western model 55 grader with a u4 international engine. I was wondering how many were built with this power unit? The transmission has ih castings, is this a w4 tractor transmission? How many model aw 55 graders were there built? I have this pegged as a late 1940 or 1941 model from the ih casting codes. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.
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Austin western model 55 grader
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chisel_maker
Member
I have a 1948 Austin Western model 55. I haven't found any records of how many were built. The motor is a International IU-4 power unit, The transmission is a IU-4 engine-over-axle unit. I found this web site for serial numbers on the engine and transmission.
http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ihc/id/5478/rec/10
It takes a little work but you should fine the year your engine and transmission were built here. Its a good guess that your 55 grader was built the same year.
http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ihc/id/5478/rec/10
It takes a little work but you should fine the year your engine and transmission were built here. Its a good guess that your 55 grader was built the same year.
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Ole Gal
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chisel_maker, could you post a larger pic of your grader in the avatar? I tried to enlarge your avatar to see more detail, but that did not work. I bought a grader which I think is a Galion and has the same power unit as your Austin Western model 55. The seller told me it was an Adams, which I am fairly certain now that it is not. The frame on my grader goes through the cab and not under the cab as the Adams does.
Graderfan1981
Senior Member
I have never seen a picture from a model 55 on the web. I don't know much about that older types. Have someone a list from the earlier types then the 88-H for example?
mitch504
Senior Member
I'd like to see a larger pic of yours. I have an A-W and a Galion.
chisel_maker
Member
Austin Western Model 55
That power unit was used by several manufactures.
Here are some pictures of my grader. Serial number 55620
That power unit was used by several manufactures.
Here are some pictures of my grader. Serial number 55620
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chisel_maker
Member
Here's some other pictures I've found over the years.
!940 model 55
1948 Model 55 loaded on a train for shipment.
Austin Western sales brochure (I have the original)
Don't know about these except there model 55's
!940 model 55
1948 Model 55 loaded on a train for shipment.
Austin Western sales brochure (I have the original)
Don't know about these except there model 55's
chisel_maker
Member
A couple more.
Graderfan1981
Senior Member
Nice to see those type of old grader, many thanks for posting the pictures 
Ole Gal
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Beautiful grader, chisel_maker. Did you restore it yourself? Is the serial number of the grader or on the I-U unit?
Ole Gal
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- Construction: House framing and steel erection. R
Here are some pics of my grader which I think is a Galion. I found serial nos. on the transmission and engine support, but no I.D. on the grader anywhere. It ran good when I bought it, but the cab was really rusted out. I Pretty much pulled the skin off with my hands and I wanted visibility so I used some Plexiglas I had to make windows and fabbed some doors. Anything I had to work on and had to be removed, I also cleaned and painted. 
chisel_maker
Member
She was mostly restored when I bought her. I had to go thru the motor, hydraulics and electrical.
There are 3 id tags on this unit. One International tag on the motor with the motor serial number.
One International tag on the drive unit with the drive unit serial number.
One Austin Western Tag on the Right front with the grader serial number. See Photo below.
Chisel maker, that's a nice grader! Are you going to make and add decals some day? Ours has visible original decals on it. I can't post a picture on here yet. I would be glad to some day, if you are interested. Ours is a plumbers nightmare right now. A lot of copper tubing used to replace hydraulic lines in the past. Still working on it and looking for more information on it.
chisel_maker
Member
I would love to see photos of your grader with original makings on it. I only have one photo of a model 55 with any makings.
chisel_maker
Member
The base grader had no cab or doors. You could buy the grader with a cab and no doors or with a cab and doors. Message me your email address and I'll send you a copy of the sales brochure pictured above. There's some great info on the back side.
Graderfan1981
Senior Member
Yes the back looks like a Galion, here a link to a photo from the 402 version:
http://www.redpowermagazine.com/forums/uploads/monthly_09_2012/post-64728-0-64143700-1347855268.jpg
http://www.redpowermagazine.com/forums/uploads/monthly_09_2012/post-64728-0-64143700-1347855268.jpg
DDGraderman
New Member
That's my 1940 road grader with the yellow beacon light on it I also have a 1950 Austin western with out a cab both model 55! My red 1940 is still used to grade priviate roads drive ways etc.... And my 1950 serves as my back up!