[Rod]

Here are the photos of the tailgate latch.

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[Rod]

I think that would work as well as using a lighter axle and wheels. And I think we over built it somewhat, too many steel supports etc. If I were to do it again I would cut it back somewhat to save weight. I doubt their will be any noise as its all welded together.

[Rod]

The seat is still under design but I have considered a flip up arrangement. Will post when it is done. The dump gate can be setup for partial opening by adding a chain hook to the body and a chain to the gate or visa versa. This would allow the operator to set the width of the gate opening depending on the need of the moment.
I have set it up to be operated after dismounting but you suggest a useful modification which I like. It’s a simple matter to extend the opening lever so it can be operated from a seat and I think I am going to do that. It’s going to be necessary to dismount to close the gate but that can be done when the cart is back at the reloading site anyway. That can be a handy way to dump firewood also and any time you don’t have to dismount and release control of your animals is helpful.

[Rod]

becorson: Nice cart. It’s hard to find one like that in decent condition anymore and to make one unless someone had wheels could be costly, mainly the wheel cost. But I bet it rolls nice and easy and it sure looks the part.

Patrick. The third wheel is optional. It does take most of the load off the animal however so depending on what you have pulling it and what the load is it may be handy to have available. I estimated the weight based on picking up one wheel. I could just about lift it myself. I will try to get it on a scale in the future and post the weight. The weight can vary a lot depending on what steel was used and the axle wheel combination. My axle is a 6000 lb. one which I already had. A new cart could use a much lighter one.
The latch is done now and I can get a photo tomorrow to post. As for the cost I will talk to the young man that welded it for me and see if he will put together a price for the whole cart. On mine I had the axle and wheels, and most of the steel on hand.

[Rod]

I agree, the are much too heavy built for them. I think if I were to build one for my Donkeys I would make it real light weight, light trailer wheels and axle, smaller steel frame, light weight seat, lots of wood etc.. The WH adjustable axle position is real nice for adjusting the tongue weight, the “D ” New England harness also helps with the tongue weight.
Another thing to consider is to put a seat on the equipment you are pulling if possible and avoid the forecart load all together.

[Rod]

The lower receiver fits my wheel, yes, and also the shafts from my White Horse forecart. The upper is for a pole setup which can either have the evener attached to the pole or the evener can be plugged into the lower receiver for a better angle of draft same as the WH forecart design. The pole or shafts also fit into the outboard end of the extra wheel.
The ground clearance is what ever the wheel radius is. Roughly 12″ but I haven’t measured it.

[Rod]

The cart will work for a team or single, with shafts or pole, horses or oxen, or behind a forecart or tractor and will have a removable seat on top. It also accepts my movable third wheel for a three wheel vehicle. With 12″ side boards it will hold a little over a cubic yard or about a quarter of a cord of fire wood. I also plan to try using it for barn cleaning and dumping manure and possibly spreading gravel on my driveway by chaining the dump gate partially open.

I buy that nice second cut mixed hay locally which I feed my heifer and steer calves mixed with some cheaper round bale first cut. The calves love it.

[Rod]

Did you mean died and went into the freezer?

[Rod]

Here is the basic Golovan ox cart. Work left is painting, sideboards and the tailgate latch. I am guessing it weighs about 300lbs.

[IMG]http://www.dayspringfarm.com/upload/IMG_0310.JPG[/IMG]

[Rod]

Howie

If you keep backing up when unloaded it looks like the back will tip down to the ground? Then does the grab arm flip over to hold the bale until the rig is tipped forward? Is the grab arm secured until the bale is tipped up? Are the brakes like an emergence brake with a handle?Does the front axel turn on a fifth wheel or like a car front end setup?

Thanks for extra pictures, this unit look great and not that hard to build.

[Rod]

Matt

I wouldn’t let it bother you. There is so much ignorance on the loose today that I sometimes think the best thing to do is duck and wait for it to pass. You can wear yourself out fighting it. People wanting to tax cow gas, outlaw eating meat, mandating fuel cans that don’t work, and the list goes on. I wonder what the history books will say about the silly stuff that taken so seriously by many today, probably give some good laughs at our collective stupidity. Enjoy what you are doing and forget about it. Some one told me once “consider the source” when someone is trying to get you for something. I know you don’t know the source but can probably assume the type of person you are up against. Thinking about that may help.

[Rod]

Oops that’s what I meant, not Swedish. I got the design from that source. Thank you.

[Rod]

Well it didn’t work with the forehead yoke, I need to wait for the horns to grow out. But I think I am going to like that yoke because it fits so well and no britchen needed for drag loads.

I did get the Swedish yoke to work and it’s real nice, I like it much better than the neck yoke I made for him. It stays in place, fits nice and snug, is adjustable, padded and he seems pretty comfortable in it. Photo below.

I have a photo of just the yoke but would have to post in another reply if anybody is interested.

[IMG]http://http://www.dayspringfarm.com/upload/IMG_0301.JPG[/IMG]
[IMG]http://http://www.dayspringfarm.com/upload/IMG_0294.JPG[/IMG][IMG]http://www.dayspringfarm.com/upload/IMG_0294.JPG[/IMG]
[IMG]http://http://www.dayspringfarm.com/upload/IMG_0289.JPG[/IMG]

[Rod]

Try googling donkey harnessing or harnesses and try the link if it comes up.

[Rod]

I can’t answer my part definitively because I have not used the donkeys in a situation where I can compare equally. Also my donkeys are not well trained for pulling which my Halfingers are. The donkeys are small (12 hands) and light (500 lbs.?) and lack traction weight and muscle mass. My horses are 14 hands and 1100 lbs? more or less and have a lot more muscle and traction.

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