When did Ranch go from tripod to quad?

[charred]

I saw an archive pic of an old ranch and it looked like it had the familiar kettle tripod support.

If so, when was it upgraded to the current design?

TIA

[LightningBoldtz]

On the Bullet site I took a look at the 1981 and 1979 catalogs

The tripod model was in the 1979 catalog but not in the 1981 so I wonder if they stopped making them around 1979.

http://tvwbb.com/forumdisplay.php?127-Weber-Product-Catalogs

[pbe gummi bear]

One interesting I noticed about the Tripod RK from sacramento this week was that it had the large 8" plastic wheels with low profile tread. No guarantee they were OEM but what years were those wheels released?

[Winz]

One interesting I noticed about the Tripod RK from sacramento this week was that it had the large 8" plastic wheels with low profile tread. No guarantee they were OEM but what years were those wheels released?

I believe they were OEM.  Pics below:

Winz

[Hogsy]

Here's the tripod ranch in the 1981 catalogue

[Winz]

If I recall correctly, the vent codes on this gem were "k", meaning it was a 1988.

The plastic handles are definitely replacements - the owner told me he had replaced them as the original wood ones were in disarray.

Winz

[Heyjude]

If I recall correctly, the vent codes on this gem were "k", meaning it was a 1988.

The plastic handles are definitely replacements - the owner told me he had replaced them as the original wood ones were in disarray.

Winz

Winz,
Did you go look at that one? It looked pretty beat up..
I think his asking price is way too high.
Would be cool to find one in my area.. So rare..
Anybody know what the retail price was in 88?
AJ 

[Hogsy]

Not sure what the price was in 88 but here's the 1980 price list

[Heyjude]

Thanks Hogsy..
It just shows how much Weber Kettles hold their value!
But I am not paying $500 for a used Ranch.. (Unles its Red and Really Nice!)
But those have to be Aussie prices, not for us Yanks!
AJ 

[Hogsy]

Your probably right RE the prices AJ
I've never seen a tripod ranch in OZ
A member of an Aussie forum did pick one up a couple of years ago but the seller had put it in the ranch cart and thrown out the tripod leg kit
It also had a full hot plate to fit the ranch which was pretty cool

[MacEggs]

In Oz, I thought your measurements would be in metric for an Aussie publication?  Maybe not back then, eh? 

[Hogsy]

Your right Mac,
The 70's-80's they were referred to as the 22 & 18 kettles and in the 90's til now they are called the 57cm and 47cm. Not sure why they waited til the 90's as we changed to the metric system in the 60's
Maybe the 90's was when weber OZ really started to market Weber products to Aussies