Animal Distance From The Pole for driving

[Demented Donkey Dame]

I have a question for you draft style team pony drivers or anyone who has dealt with this issue.
How much distance do you have between the ends of the single trees if they were to be measured across the pole? singletree……pole……singletree
I would think this would be an important measurement as to how much room is needed to keep the animals away from the pole.
I measured one inch on my Pacific Cart from the end of the single tree to the edge of the pole. That is tight! But has never been a problem.
I have one that is 10 inches from single tree to single tree across the pole. This is on the four abreast solid bar that I have not hitched to yet.

I am shortening the four abreast that I hitched to early this spring that was to wide, it is actually in three sections that slide into each other take off the two end sections and it’s back to team size.
I’m taking a total of eight inches off the ends of the main bars that the singletrees are mounted to.
If I leave the center where the pole is I will have 11 inches between the single trees with the pole in the center of this measurement and I am wondering if this is to much? It seems that most of mine are about 7 inches between the singletrees. Since I am trying to shorten up this hitch I’m beginning to think 11 inches is to much room across the pole to the singletree ends but I’m just not sure. I suppose one could leave it this way for now try it and if it is to wide adjust it later on.

My single trees are being cut down from 27 inches to 23 inches. As of right now the traces form a V from the collar to the singletrees. I would like to see a straighter line of draft.

Would appreciate knowing if there is a standard measurement between the ends of the singletrees across the pole. 1 inch, 7 inches, 10 inches???? This vehicle is a Robert’s four-wheeled buggy. I consider the donkeys to be the same as ponies as far as measurements are concerned. That may need to be taken into consideration also as it is probably different for a large draft team that would be wider and take a larger singletree. Or would it…distance from the pole is still distance from the pole, right? I’m perplexed?!#?:confused:

[Donn Hewes]

Actually, the distance from the end of the single tree to the pole does not determine how close to the pole the animal is. The distance from the center of the singletree to the pole determines how much room they have. With the right size of yoke, an animal will walk with the mid line of their body on the center of the evener. If the evener is long enough, they will have plenty of room. If the singletree is too close to the pole they can hit or interfere with each other. Take an evener that was not made for a pole (no space between the singletrees), and put it on a tongue – parts may get hooked on bolts and other problems may follow. Obviously the size of the singletree determines how much room is between the traces (should be apropraiate for the size of the animal). Hope that helps. Donn

[Demented Donkey Dame]

Donn, that is a huge help…Thank You! It certainly answerers the questions why I have so many differences. Since I use a set of singletrees the same size as I had the ones to the four abreast cut down to I believe it will work. If they are to narrow for the big team and the traces rub them it will be an easy fix to change to longer singletrees in the center of my hitch.

I remember reading something years ago about yoke size and how it effects the dynamics of the singletrees so I’m glad you brought that up to jog ye’ ole’ memory banks. You helped me to make sense of this, thank you again! I really appreciate your impute. 😮

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