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Robert MoonShadow
ParticipantPosavians… never heard of them; but it looks like raw power!!
ParticipantCheryl – This was several years ago that I saw it, and never thought to take photos; however, I’m sure that I saw a new disc set w/ the same idea for sale in some catalogue… will search my pile of treasures (um, rubbish?) & post the info if/when…
However, the idea was really basic –> two pieces of angle-iron welded (or bolted) onto the frame w/ bracing & the wheels stuck up in the air while being used in the field; all levers flipped down as low as possible (to clear the ground, of course) & disc set flipped over onto the wheels & hooked back up to (in his case) the garden tractor. {Or forecart, etc.} Probably be a real pain, if not impossible, to flip over, if the disc set was very large/heavy. I’m not a fabricator at all, but perhaps others here can help w/ this idea? I do remember thinking when I saw it, that having 3 wheels (one a ‘crazy wheel’ up front) would take some weight off of the attaching pin, as well as provide better stability. I’m going to apply this idea to the spiketooth & springtooth harrows I’ve got – now if I can just get my ass up from Texas! {um, that’d be referring to my spotted donkey I bought… what’d you think I meant? :p } Well, gotta go check on a couple of pregnant goats… ‘byeParticipantCheryl: I’ve seen a set of discs w/ a pair of wheels on 18-inch “stems” welded to the top of the discs… then when transporting, it’s just flipped over onto the wheels >>> seemed to work just fine for the neighbor (although he pulled it w/ a small garden tractor). The wheels looked to be solid rubber, about the size of wheelbarrow wheels.
ParticipantRod – I haven’t forgotten about sending you the photocopies of the bale mover info; I just haven’t made it into town to a copy-machine. {I try to avoid going unless/until I really need to} 😀
ParticipantCould you supply me w/ this contact? I’m new here (DAP), and have a donkey on the way up… I farm an acre (produce) and he’s replacing the Ford tractor = need input & advice; seems like what I need, here. Thanks a bunch!!
@goodcompanion 1457 wrote:Regarding practical application of donkey traction–there is this group based in France called promatta (acronym for promotion of modern agriculture with animal traction) that has developed a neat system of attachments for use with donkeys. It was designed for application in the third world (simplicity, repairability) but they have adherents in europe as well. Probably with the dollar going down the sewer we couldn’t likely afford to import anything from them, but I think they are free with information. If anyone is inclined to pursue this, let me know.
What they are doing there certainly hits the “very very small farming” nail right on the head.
ParticipantHey Jennifer ~ Thanks for the welcome. No, I haven’t gotten any photos of the trail ace in action… camera died halfway through the first 15-day hitch & haven’t replaced it yet. I’ll see if my boss has any laying around. It’s pretty much a cross between a cultivator & a plow = chews up the soil so that it can be leveled for trails >>> takes our big mule (Belgian) to really dig down in & get the rock to move. she’s known as the “1800 lb. ballerina” as she can turn around in her own tracks on a narrow mtn. trail w/ a full pack on. {Ever try to LOAD a pack onto a 16.5 hh mule? :(} If Bonner doesn’t have any photos, I’ll borrow his camers & take some photos (after the storms break hereabouts & can asseble the thing)
ParticipantCarl: I’m a newbie; started going through the site & landed here. If I may make bold w/ a suggestion? ATTRA/NCAT/SARE all offer grants, funding, etc. for various types of educational enterprises that center on sustainable farming… and I think most would agree that draft animals fit that, huh? I’m not sure what all it entails, but I subscribe to the ATTRA weekly online newsletter, and it’s always showing different funding opportunities (theirs and links to others) being offered >>> ESPECIALLY in the Northeast. If you think it’s interesting enough to pursue, I can browse through them & see what I come up with… just my offer to contribute – I’m cash-poor, but willing to help, if possible.
PS – I was impressed (and thus encouraged to write this) by your statement acknowledging that not all contributions need be monetary to be useful.ParticipantHey there, Near Horse ~ I’m new, too… Live 4 miles out of White Bird, 16 s. of Grangeville >>> we’re neighbors! I’m starting to use a standard donkey for my truck garden. I’m looking at land near Lapwai, so I can use the farmers market in Lewiston >>> or anywhere that I can find land I can afford!! Keep in touch? If we can’t find any groups nearby, like you mentioned, perhaps we can MAKE one??…..
ParticipantRon, try Small Farmers Journal – a quarterly magazine devoted to farming & logging w/ drat animals… recent issues have round bale movers… one is commercially made for hauling 6 bales at once {called the “Bale Master”}, one is home made, similar to the one you’re trying to find info on – ‘cept the arms swing out to accomadate various sizes/widths in bales. I’ve got the spring ’03 issue here, page 61 shows a spear on wheels… back the team ’til the spear’s in, there’s a handwinch to lift the bale/spear… very simple design. Uses the wheels off of an old manure spreader, but home-made axle (the builder says the spreader’s axle wasn’t wide enough. If you can’t get a back copy from SMJ, I can xerox this page & send it to you >>> and the other (swingarm) design, if I can find it. Hold the phone! Just found the article…issue is summer ’06, page 78… has the Bale Master in action & the homemade job hooked to a forecart (moves & unrolls 1 bale). And has one like you first talked of building… that uses the bale itself as a “wheel”. Hope this helps. I’m not usually this long-winded nor pushy… just thought it’d be a help. Take care & Merry Christmas.
~R~ParticipantRod ~ I’m new here… saw your posting >>> I’ve sent for a 4 yo standard jack from Texas, I market-garden & sell firewood (and work for a guy w/ his draft mules building trails in wildernesswes)… how’d your attempts to work your donkeys ever come out?
ParticipantI just joined here… and am learning to use my standard-sized donkey for farm work, includng snigging firewood logs… perhaps we can keep each other posted here? Mine is a 4 yo standard spotted jack, heading here to central Idaho from Texas (boy is HE in for a surprise {snow}). 😮
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