logging forcart

[Carl Russell]

Mike, there are plans somewhere.

I was thinking that they got into the hands of DAPNet at one point.

I am not a fabricator, and obviously my cart has lasted a long time, so I never felt the need to secure plans for myself.

I know that Les had a mechanical drawing put together, and may have copies still. I’ll look into it.

Thanks, Carl

[wild millers]

Thank you guys for the detailed and well written thoughts. This is something I really enjoy about this forum. It’s amazing to me the amount of years of first hand experience and knowledge that can come forth, and in such well thought out and carefully written replies. The dedication to “advancing the practical application of draft power” is very evident here. This sort of information is priceless.

I have never had the chance to work a low hitch height, Barden style cart before. I was aware of some of the differences between this approach and the higher hitch approach that I do use, but was unclear of the direct advantages of the lower hitch besides stability and teamster comfort. I have never yet felt cramped for maneuverability with our cart and have always found the horses to be willing when pulling a load, and I can always get the but end of those logs comfortably off the ground. That said, we aren’t doing a lot of deep woods work, nor are we out there every day. We have a lot of field edge work to do, but as I get caught up with that, I will be headed deeper into the woods. I guess I still am not really clear on the advantages of the low hitch besides what has been already stated and probably won’t understand until I get the chance to work one. If no one speaks for Paul’s cart before winter I may try to work something out with him and get it under cover at our place so I can get a chance to try it out.

Carl, again, I appreciate your thoughts and suggestions. My hesitancy to spring for Paul’s cart right away comes from the careful financial planning that is necessary to be able to successfully work a farm, (trying to keep a sharp pencil so to speak) and not being able to afford a second logging cart just for the sake of it. A saying that my wife is very fond of, and one that we find a lot of credence in is that “The best tool for the job, is the one that you know.” Thanks -Joel

[Carl Russell]

My log cart has a 24″ high hitch….. It is not as high as other designs, but not low. It is the chariot design that is low, and that is unattractive to many.

Again, it is not that your horses don’t want to pull, it is that live power is limited, and designs that combine efficiencies will augment long-term functionality. Finding a balance between the gain of a high hitch, and maintaining the bio-mechanical efficiency of the horse has real value……then add teamster comfort, safety, and practicality of having tools available at an arms length……….

Les is renowned for “Raising the Bar”, and his cart design is a fine example of that. Farming is an art. Logging is an art. Working animals is an art. In my mind, finesse and thoghtfulness are where the greatest advantages are when considering these undertakings, and in the long run that translates into economic success and financially sound operations.

Be well, Carl

[Jim Ostergard]

As usual the forum brings out some of the best shared experiences. Seems to me no matter what kind of cart/arch one is using or planning to use there is good information in the thread for all. Even though much of the discussion has gone one before it is good to have it surface again. Keeps me thinking. Now for what it is worth, with my walking beam arch (still for sale) the deck is only a little higher than the Barden arch. And that for me makes a difference after a long day. I have used the higher arches and they take a wicked toll on my knees and remind me way too much of climbing on and off the JD 540B I used to run. As part of my downsizing I will pick up my new Scandinavian arch from Johnny Plowden andd put the Fjord to works next week. Will take the walking behind as a nice slow down for a while. Thanks to all for sharing.

[Carl Russell]

Some folks have a fleet of John Deere Tractors….. I now have a fleet of Barden Log carts….. one for a single, one for the team…

Les built the larger cart about ten years ago for my friend John Hurley. John was a big man so the cart is bit larger than the one I have been using. Accordingly, the hitch is about a foot higher as well. You may also see a few modifications not on my cart, such as angle bumper/steps in front of the wheels.

John died last winter, and his executors finally dug all the way to the back of the storage container where this cart had been stored. Can’t wait to wear some paint of this rig….

Carl

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[Livewater Farm]

Carl that cart size and design is similar to the Barden cart that I own

larger size and higher hitch also no back rest more for standing than riding
also my does not have the shaft pockets wish it did
Bill

[Jeroen]

That’s a great cart! The steps could be great for comfort, but also a little dangerous when you reach for tools, the team taking a step. Would like to know your experience with that.
Is there a reason for the seat having no backrest?

[Carl Russell]

Jereon, the steps are cut at an angle to act as a bumper for the wheels. Without the steps one is inclined to step on the ground in front of the wheel, which would result in the risk you mention, so I find them to be a more safe alternative.

The “seat” is really not a “seat” per se, more of a butt-rest. When using this chariot-style cart I tend to stand most of the time anyway, as it is easier to maintain balance, so a lower seat presses against the back of the thigh. Having the butt-rest gives more stability over rough terrain in the woods.

Carl

[Brad Johnson]

On the farm in Maine we had our Barden cart set up with a leaning board in place of a proper seat, and that works great. As Carl described, you are standing up in most situations and the board provides that stability you need. And, when you want go for that moonlight ride with your sweetie you can always put the seat back on!
-Brad

[Jim Ostergard]

I had my walking beam set up without a seat. Used a headrest from an old Toyota to place my backside on while riding. Always felt really secure with my feet braced and my butt against the headrest. Picture here on my fore sale post.

[dominiquer60]

The Barden Cart that was for sale in Dover, NH has been sold. I called about it this morning because the more that I think about it the more this type of cart makes sense for me. Looking at pictures of recently posted logging carts my first thought is not, “boy I could move some big wood with those,” it is, “How the heck do I drag myself on and off of these things. Sam’s cart is big, too big for what I and my team are useful for, but at least it has a nice step in front of the wheel for easy on and off (I agree with Carl that this is much safer than a foot on the ground or scrambling up a wheel to get on ). His also has a place where he can put a seat. I like this because first off if he was unsettled, he is not going to fall back off the cart and have a log roll him over and second because on Sundays he can put the seat on and take his lady for a foliage drive through the back roads.

I don’t need something that others feel they need in order to move big wood, in fact I have no interest in moving big wood, and if I did need to we have one of those already. I am taken by the versatility of the Barden cart. I could use one with steers or horses (mules or ponies for that matter), and I can really picture myself using it for more farm related tasks such as harrowing, collecting sap, moving mobile animal housing, etc. The most appealing feature to me is the ease of getting in and out of it, after spending time weeding and harvesting, the last thing that I want to abuse my knees with is climbing on or off a cart.

I have been bothering a neighbor about selling me a simple pioneer forecart that he has out back, but no luck yet. I would like to be able to use it so that I can leave my cultivator at my house and not abuse it with woods trail miles back and forth from the parents farm where the horse are. I would also like it to do field work with a pair when the other cart is set up for 3 or 4. I was wondering about buying a piggy back for it so that we can make use of more than one team in the woods. These Barden carts sound like they will fit the bill better and be easier on my body. If anybody comes across another Barden cart for sale I am seriously considering purchasing one for many reasons and tasks.

Here is the logging cart that Sam made, it works very well. Sorry I don’t have any good closeups. it has various slots to put choker chains, but also has a sliding hitch point that rolls back and up, it really gets them off of the ground. The trailer is for large logs and using the cart and trailer he can suspend a 36′ stick off the ground and keep it clean for the sawyer that custom cuts his beams for custom timber framing jobs.

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