pole weight for team of oxen

[Andy Carson]

I am thinking about adapting some equipment for oxen using a pole. Can anyone out there give me a good idea on how much weight on the pole (at the yoke) is “too much” and might be uncomfortable for a team using a regular yoke to support the pole? A rough idea will do… 50 lbs? 100 lbs? 200 lbs? More? I know it’s kind of a “shades of grey” question but I am just trying to get a rough idea.

[Tim Harrigan]

Andy, cattle have a lot of strength in their neck and shoulders so it is hard to say other than more weight will sap their strength faster than less if they are working hard. I would not be overly concerned about 50 lbs for a large team, but would try to avoid more than that if possible. What do you have with that much tongue weight?

[Andy Carson]

@Tim Harrigan 32170 wrote:

What do you have with that much tongue weight?

Good question. When I really think about the length of the pole, not much. I was going to adapt a two wheeled trailer and that might be the only thing. Just have to make sure this is generally balanced, I suppose, same as with horses.

[Tim Harrigan]

I know mowers without dolly wheels can carry tongue weights around 40 lb or so, and some logging arches are tongue heavy, 80 lb or so to help counteract the weight of heavy logs, but it seems like with most things you have options to balance it out OK.

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