Cobbled together forecart

[Riverbound]

I re-cobbled together a forecart retrieved from a barn loft. It’s an old ’40 Chevy axle welded to a platform, with a bus seat clamped on as far forward as I can get it, which just about balances the cart, with a slight tendency to tip backwards. However, when hitched to the horses it seems that the tongue does an awful lot of swinging and bouncing around, as the ground is uneven. Any suggestions out there for remediation? Breast strap adjustment, balance adjustment? Acceptance? Thanks. Spring has finally come to North Dakota!

[TBigLug]

We have basically the same forecart except it uses a Model T axle instead. Biggest thing would be to get thet platform and sat forward so it’s not trying to tip backwards. If you use taller narrow tires on it might even things out a little as well. The next One I build will be geared towards running the manure spreader, hay rake, etc. and I’ll be using the tires off of our old corn picker (9.00-20 NDT) and getting the hitch up to the same height as our tractors to make it easier switching between the two. If you had a way to move the seat forward or back depending on the tongue weight of your load would be a help as well.

[Riverbound]

Thanks. The seat is just clamped to springs, so moving it isn’t a big deal, not convenient either though. I’ve got it as far forward as it will go. I do have fairly fat tires, not the old tall narrow type, and I see what you mean about that.I’d like to hook it to a spreader, too, and am wondering how that will affect it. It seems like any added weight in the back will make it worse. Will tightening the breast straps help? I’m going to weld a guard on the front and the added weight may help a bit. Maybe an Easter cruise is in order.

[mitchmaine]

you could try hanging a pail on the end of the tongue and filling it with rocks till it balanced out the cart. then weigh the pail. should be 8 – 10 pounds. take some two inch bar stock by whatever thickness and length it takes to make the weight and bolt it on under you pole. if it takes more than ten pounds you probably need to rebuild your cart and get the seat up over the axle. worth whatever it takes to make it right, especially if you see problems hooking it to something.

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