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Lynn Miller’s Horsedrawn Mower Book shows at least one McCormick/Deering two horse mower, a number 9 if I remember correctly, converted for single horse use. Single horse mowers tend to use shorter cutter bar length of 3 1/2 to maybe as long as 5′ with a heavy single draft. If you’re seriously considering such a conversion or for that matter using/maintaining a ground drive mower of any type, the book is worth the purchase price IMHO.

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Tyler,
As I understand it, the big advantage of the d-ring is transferring the weight of implements from the pole to the back saddle as opposed to being on the collar. With a single horse when you’re using shafts, the weight is on the back saddle through the shaft loops anyway so unless you have a team in mind it may not be as important. JMHO

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I used a mooring swivel I got from a boatyard and attached a grab hook to that.

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Ben’s Mill: Making a Sled

Sled making starts at about 5 minutes

http://www.folkstreams.net/film,187

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If you’re interested in a new one, Meaders Supply has 4′ and 6′ sections for sale. Page 77 of the on-line tack catalog.

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Hey Tyler,

I found even though I had riding experience, driving can be quite a bit different. It could be helpful to get some personal instruction if you haven’t had any. This could be at a driving clinic like the GMDHA has every year or with a mentor like Ted Russell from Sudbury. Steve Bowers book Farming with Horses has a section on single horse driving, harnessing etc. If I remember correctly your mare was advertised here on DAP and she was being used in a commercial operation, perhaps the seller could give you a hand as well.
Keeping the rein pressure right and ANTICIPATING what’s going to happen takes practice.

Feel free to send me a private message for more detail about the clinic, mentoring or other suggestions. I sent you a pm when you first posted awhile back.

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Informative and enjoyable presentation. Thanks for posting it Jason. The interview with your bright, articulate apprentice is reassuring that there are knowledgeable folks with the right perspective and values coming along.

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Sorry to get in late on this but FWIW, in most jurisdictions, content of phone conversations and emails that are not specifically referenced as being binding in the written contract itself are known as “parol evidence” which would not be considered in adjudicating a contract dispute unless the contract itself is ambiguous. To get an adjudicator to admit parol evidence, the Rescue Organization would have to acknowledge that they drafted an ambiguous contract, a confession not likely to gain traction. Plus, as others have pointed out, dragging a log is not likely “logging” under the definition. I’m not sure I’d discuss it with them though… “Let sleeping dogs lie” and all that…

I found Countrymouse’s approach to physical conditioning quite reasonable given the fact that a horse with a stifle injury has a joint not likely optimally supported by good muscle tone complementing the collateral and cruciate ligaments. It seems like improving the muscle mass and tone prior to abrupt, heavy pulling is less likely to result in further injury. I suppose it’s akin to a weight lifter being sure he can lift 150 lbs before he tries 250.
There is no doubt universal agreement that “Operational” conditioning is the ultimate goal but I took Andy’s comments to be limited to physical conditioning which would seem to be the first step in rehab. The ground sled has certainly worked for me and your previous horse.:)

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Hi John,

Sent you a private message.

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I claim no expertise but here are factors I considered for my training sled/stone boat.

Chain length: Probably depends on where you attach it. I attached mine about a foot back of the front of the runners because there is a brace there. I made the chain long enough so that the runners didn’t hit the single tree on even a sharp turn but short enough so that in a sharp turn the chain under tension on the outside runner wasn’t so long that it could slide under the inside runner. At that length I get a little lift when the horse is in draft.

A couple of other considrations… It is useful to have a little toe in of your runners to keep your sled/boat from “hunting” right and left. I learned this from making dogsleds. Also having a swivel between your grabhook and your singletree (I got one from a marine supply where they use them for mooring buoys) will tend to keep your traces from tangling in the animal’s legs if somehow your sled tips over. I think all the loggers use them as well.

So far this setup has worked for me. Critiques anyone?

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While I claim no expertise, I’m almost positive yours is a one horse mower. After a 6 month search I recently acquired a McCormick one horse which I assume is an earlier version of the McCormick Deering you have. One horse mowers are apparently scarce and appear to command a premium. You could probably sell your one horse and buy a properly setup team mower in good condition with the proceeds. Somebody will put your one horse to good use. There are one horse mower guys always looking for a mower like yours.;)

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Western PA

looks like a #9 (or maybe a 7) on the small picture sent to me by seller. Appears complete. $75.

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/grd/1579098191.html

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Mower currently listed on craigslist 1/29/2010

http://newlondon.craigslist.org/grd/1576669267.html

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I’ve seen both the 25 and 85 bu spreaders in use at Ted Russell’s in Sudbury. I don’t have enough experience to evaluate their performance but Ted, who is a dealer and a straight shooter will answer your questions candidly and perhaps could put you in touch with other users. His number is listed in the Equipment Buyer’s Guide thread.

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This is really a nice restoration.
As someone with an interest in acquiring a rubber tired, smallish ground driven manure spreader I notice that they tend to have their tires mounted “backward” when compared to lugged tires on the typical tractor. Ed seems to have his mounted the other way. I’m wondering whether the advantage of mounting them “backward” is more theoretical than real and whether anyone has mounted the tires one way and then reversed them to see if there is a difference?

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