Neck yoke fit

[sanhestar]

Rod,

that’s what I meant. The ox looks like in need of a worming.

You’re right, too. With the shedding of the winter coat they look often shaggy, that’s why I asked – pictures can be deceiving.

[Carl Russell]

Rod, good photos. Like the others, take off the collars, they serve no purpose while yoked, and can get in the way. As has been said, I see the bow too low. It can be so low that it hits the brisket and can cause irritation, which may be what you have been observing. Also as Howie said it allows the yoke to slide back too far, by the base of the neck where the cattle have no leverage.

When the yoke is on them standing still with no load, snug up the bows so you can put a snug hand in under the throat. If the yoke is forward enough, it will pitch forward on top and the cattle can lift their necks up into it, as apposed to it sliding back and choking them. Also cattle that haven’t been working much may just react negatively to the working load, and that adjustment is between the ears.

Also, if you really think you need the rope halters on, make sure they have enough free movement of their heads.

Carl

[Howie]

Carl
I think Rod needs the halters a lot more than the steers do.:)

[Carl Russell]

My point exactly:)

Carl

[Rod]

I usually do not leave the halters on but that day I was loading and sifting furnace ash into the dump cart and the oxen had to stand for a long time while I did it. The halters allowed me to tie them up while I was working. Hopefully I can get to the place where they will stand for an hour while I do stuff like that be we are not there yet.

BTW I used the dump cart in the dump mode for the first time that day dumping a load of manure then a load of wood ashes at my garden. The dump worked perfect. I also have used it for hauling sap and sugaring supplies. It’s real handy.

[OldKat]

@Rod 7892 wrote:

I usually do not leave the halters on but that day I was loading and sifting furnace ash into the dump cart and the oxen had to stand for a long time while I did it. The halters allowed me to tie them up while I was working. Hopefully I can get to the place where they will stand for an hour while I do stuff like that be we are not there yet.

BTW I used the dump cart in the dump mode for the first time that day dumping a load of manure then a load of wood ashes at my garden. The dump worked perfect. I also have used it for hauling sap and sugaring supplies. It’s real handy.

I had seen the pictures of the dump cart that you had posted. Without taking this thread down a “rabbit trail” off the main subject, is that a design that you came up with? Looks slick, realy well designed.

[Rod]

I designed it based on some plan sketches I found on the web for a practical, low cost cart to be used in developing nations. I can send you a copy of the plans I prepared if you give me your mail address. Their are also more detailed pictures of the cart construction in another thread on this forum. I don’t remember where I put them but if I find them later I will let you know.

[Howie]

That is one beautiful cart.
When you first start to make them stand without their halters do not tempt them. Stand them facing a direction that you think they would rather not go. 🙂 Don’t face them toward the barn:o

[bivol]

that’s a golovan cart design. original was designed for a single ox, and the design also allows for a wooden floor to be put on top to increase loading capability.
nice done!

[Rod]

Yes the design is based on the article on the web about the Golovan cart with some modifications one of which is the receiver setup which allows it to be used single or double. I mentioned the cart was based on the Golovan model in the original forum article about it. See ( http://www.draftanimalpower.com/showthread.php?t=869&page=2 ).
I know the sketch in the web article shows it set up as a single ox cart but I can tell you my team of Holsteins (2600#) had a time pulling it up a hill with a bucket of composted manure in it.
By wooden floor did you mean wooden sideboards? I can’t see how a wooden floor would work or make the cart have more capacity?

[Simple Living]

Rod,

I love your team and I think your cart is very well done. I have a couple questions for you. Now that you have used it, how well is it balanced when fully loaded with compost? And how well did it dump when you got it there? Is there anything you would change? Or have you not had the chance to use it enough yet? Keep up the good work, and keep having a blast!

Gordon

[Rod]

Now that you have used it, how well is it balanced when fully loaded with compost? And how well did it dump when you got it there? Is there anything you would change? Or have you not had the chance to use it enough yet

Hi Gordon

I have used it a few times, first behind my tractor then with the ox team. It is balanced real well when the pole is on it. When I used it behind the tractor with just a short shaft it was a little back tippy when hooking it up. By that I mean when I dragged it over to the tractor I had to be careful not to let it tip back too far as it would want to go right over. With the pole however it’s perfect, not too heavy at the end but with no lift on the pole going up hills etc.
It dumps great, the tail gate is heavy enough so you do not have to rely on the load to push it open. As in when the ashes were in it which are a light load the gate open right up and everything slid out without any help. I am sure it will dump fire wood the same although I have not tried it yet. If I were to do it again I might try to make it lighter. I have a lot of steel in this one and it’s real rugged but kind of heavy. Thanks for the questions.

[bivol]

@Rod 7960 wrote:

Yes the design is based on the article on the web about the Golovan cart with some modifications one of which is the receiver setup which allows it to be used single or double. I mentioned the cart was based on the Golovan model in the original forum article about it. See ( http://www.draftanimalpower.com/showthread.php?t=869&page=2 ).
I know the sketch in the web article shows it set up as a single ox cart but I can tell you my team of Holsteins (2600#) had a time pulling it up a hill with a bucket of composted manure in it.
By wooden floor did you mean wooden sideboards? I can’t see how a wooden floor would work or make the cart have more capacity?

well, as long as the loading capacity is concerned, the wooden floor has surface greater than the original cart. ad to that sideboards and you should be able to carry more. you don’t use the original space, it is covered, but you use the new, bigger surface, with sideboards to greater loading capacity. or so i think at first glance.
but a cart being that heavy i didn’t imagine.

an idea: you could put in holders for wooden or iron frames in the front and back side of a cart to have a greater loading capacity when transporting hay or manure. also, some frames on the sides could help. just a sudden idea, i got it now.

[Rod]

Are you describing a floor on top of the cart?

[Rod]

I can see where a removable wooden floor on top of the cart with sideboards might work well for some loads. Like bags of grain or things like that would be hard to lift out of the cavity of the base cart.
I do have an old mower seat and spring which I intend to add to the front top so I can ride someday. (I need to train the oxen to do that first).

[Author]

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