08-26-2025, 05:59 PM
The Braden Winch Legacy and M9 Gearbox Design
Braden Winch Company, founded in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1924, became a cornerstone of industrial winching systems for oilfield, military, and earthmoving applications. The M9 and MS9 winch models were widely adopted in mid-20th-century scraper and dozer setups, particularly on Johnson dirt scrapers. These winches featured robust gearboxes with brass ring gears—chosen for their wear resistance and ability to mesh smoothly with steel pinions under heavy loads.
The brass gear in question, often stamped with identifiers like M9H 101 or M91 101R, was a critical component in the planetary gear set. It transferred torque from the hydraulic motor to the drum, allowing controlled cable retraction and release. Over time, these gears became rare due to discontinued production and limited aftermarket support.
Terminology Clarification
Johnson Manufacturing produced a range of pull-type scrapers in the 1970s and 1980s, including the 80B and 110 models, with capacities of 8 and 11 cubic yards respectively. These scrapers were popular in the Midwest and Southern U.S. for terrace building, waterway shaping, and land leveling.
The 110 model, in particular, featured dual folding floor doors and a chain-driven elevator system. Operators often modified the cutting edge setup—adding mini-excavator teeth or staggered blades—to improve penetration in hard soils. The scraper’s performance was highly sensitive to soil moisture; wet clay would stick to the doors, requiring aggressive bumping techniques to dislodge the load.
Field Anecdotes and Operator Wisdom
One veteran operator in Missouri recalled using a Johnson 80B for over 40 years. He emphasized that the scraper worked best in medium loam and hated mud. When the folding floors failed to release sticky soil, he would clutch the tractor and stab the brakes, causing the hitch to jolt and shake the load loose. This technique, while crude, was often the only way to clear the pan without manual digging.
Another user in Indiana rebuilt a Johnson 110 from the ground up, replacing bent shafts, worn bearings, and a loose chain that had previously jumped off the bottom rollers. He adjusted the chain clearance to 2.5 inches from the blade—within the recommended 2–3 inch range—and found that it improved loading consistency. He also noted that driving too fast during loading caused uneven dumps, and recommended partial door opening to control soil spread.
Common Failures and Restoration Tips
While Johnson scrapers and Braden winches are no longer in production, they remain valuable tools for landowners and contractors who understand their quirks. Their simplicity, mechanical reliability, and adaptability make them ideal for terrace work and waterway shaping. However, restoration requires patience, fabrication skills, and a network of knowledgeable operators.
In Clarendon, Texas, a small yard still supports these machines, offering reprinted manuals and gearbox setup advice. Their continued use is a testament to the durability of mid-century American engineering and the ingenuity of those who keep them running.
Final Thoughts
The search for a Braden M9 brass gear is more than a parts hunt—it’s part of a broader effort to preserve functional legacy equipment. Whether rebuilding a Johnson 110 for terrace work or coaxing a winch back to life, these machines reward those who respect their design and limitations. With the right modifications and operational care, they can still move dirt with precision and pride.
Braden Winch Company, founded in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1924, became a cornerstone of industrial winching systems for oilfield, military, and earthmoving applications. The M9 and MS9 winch models were widely adopted in mid-20th-century scraper and dozer setups, particularly on Johnson dirt scrapers. These winches featured robust gearboxes with brass ring gears—chosen for their wear resistance and ability to mesh smoothly with steel pinions under heavy loads.
The brass gear in question, often stamped with identifiers like M9H 101 or M91 101R, was a critical component in the planetary gear set. It transferred torque from the hydraulic motor to the drum, allowing controlled cable retraction and release. Over time, these gears became rare due to discontinued production and limited aftermarket support.
Terminology Clarification
- Planetary Gear Set: A gear system consisting of a central sun gear, surrounding planet gears, and an outer ring gear—used for torque multiplication and compact design.
- Brass Gear: A gear made from copper-zinc alloy, valued for its low friction and corrosion resistance.
- Winch Drum: The rotating cylinder that spools cable in or out during operation.
Johnson Manufacturing produced a range of pull-type scrapers in the 1970s and 1980s, including the 80B and 110 models, with capacities of 8 and 11 cubic yards respectively. These scrapers were popular in the Midwest and Southern U.S. for terrace building, waterway shaping, and land leveling.
The 110 model, in particular, featured dual folding floor doors and a chain-driven elevator system. Operators often modified the cutting edge setup—adding mini-excavator teeth or staggered blades—to improve penetration in hard soils. The scraper’s performance was highly sensitive to soil moisture; wet clay would stick to the doors, requiring aggressive bumping techniques to dislodge the load.
Field Anecdotes and Operator Wisdom
One veteran operator in Missouri recalled using a Johnson 80B for over 40 years. He emphasized that the scraper worked best in medium loam and hated mud. When the folding floors failed to release sticky soil, he would clutch the tractor and stab the brakes, causing the hitch to jolt and shake the load loose. This technique, while crude, was often the only way to clear the pan without manual digging.
Another user in Indiana rebuilt a Johnson 110 from the ground up, replacing bent shafts, worn bearings, and a loose chain that had previously jumped off the bottom rollers. He adjusted the chain clearance to 2.5 inches from the blade—within the recommended 2–3 inch range—and found that it improved loading consistency. He also noted that driving too fast during loading caused uneven dumps, and recommended partial door opening to control soil spread.
Common Failures and Restoration Tips
- Bent Shafts: Often caused by chain derailment during rocky or sod-heavy loading. Replace with modern-sized yokes and joints for easier sourcing.
- Loose Chain: Leads to slat misalignment and premature wear. Maintain proper tension and inspect idlers regularly.
- Stuck Loads: Wet soil clogs folding doors. Use staggered cutting edges and avoid operating in saturated conditions.
- Gearbox Wear: Brass gears wear unevenly over decades. If unavailable, consider custom machining or contacting legacy parts dealers.
- Retrofit the winch gearbox with modern bearings and seals to extend lifespan.
- Use dual-edge configurations: one smooth blade for loam and one toothed edge for clay.
- Maintain a service log for chain tension, bearing replacements, and gear inspections.
- Contact regional agricultural equipment yards or legacy parts suppliers for rare Braden components.
- Consider fabricating replacement gears using bronze alloy if brass is unavailable—bronze offers similar wear characteristics with better load tolerance.
While Johnson scrapers and Braden winches are no longer in production, they remain valuable tools for landowners and contractors who understand their quirks. Their simplicity, mechanical reliability, and adaptability make them ideal for terrace work and waterway shaping. However, restoration requires patience, fabrication skills, and a network of knowledgeable operators.
In Clarendon, Texas, a small yard still supports these machines, offering reprinted manuals and gearbox setup advice. Their continued use is a testament to the durability of mid-century American engineering and the ingenuity of those who keep them running.
Final Thoughts
The search for a Braden M9 brass gear is more than a parts hunt—it’s part of a broader effort to preserve functional legacy equipment. Whether rebuilding a Johnson 110 for terrace work or coaxing a winch back to life, these machines reward those who respect their design and limitations. With the right modifications and operational care, they can still move dirt with precision and pride.
