Single ox in shafts

[Rod]

The seat is still under design but I have considered a flip up arrangement. Will post when it is done. The dump gate can be setup for partial opening by adding a chain hook to the body and a chain to the gate or visa versa. This would allow the operator to set the width of the gate opening depending on the need of the moment.
I have set it up to be operated after dismounting but you suggest a useful modification which I like. It’s a simple matter to extend the opening lever so it can be operated from a seat and I think I am going to do that. It’s going to be necessary to dismount to close the gate but that can be done when the cart is back at the reloading site anyway. That can be a handy way to dump firewood also and any time you don’t have to dismount and release control of your animals is helpful.

[Patrick]

It’s just an awesome design. Very user friendly. I wonder about lining it with plywood instead of steel, to reduce the weight, and limit noise, if one wouldn’t be using it too often for heavy loads like gravel?

[Rod]

I think that would work as well as using a lighter axle and wheels. And I think we over built it somewhat, too many steel supports etc. If I were to do it again I would cut it back somewhat to save weight. I doubt their will be any noise as its all welded together.

[Rod]

Here are the photos of the tailgate latch.

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[Robert MoonShadow]

Rod ~ That is awesome! You mentioned that it would hold ‘about a little more than a cubic yard’ –> about how much, weight-wise, would that be? I’m trying to get an idea on the total weight – if I could get the weight of the cart down to about 1/2 or 2/3 of what yours is, so I could figure on what my donkey could be expected to pull {once he’s conditioned for it, of course}. My main idea for use for it would be to spread compost… I don’t need it broadcast like a spreader would do it, just laid out in beds/rows – and I think this would work great for it. How wide is the “bed” of it, anyways?

[Rod]

It’s a little under 5′ wide. With 12″ side boards it holds 33 cf. If that were water it the load would weigh 2046LBs. loose Gravel would be about 3600lbs. Dry compost is light but I can’t tell you what it would weigh.

[Patrick]

Nice. I see how the stop would work, but what is the short piece of pipe opposite it for?

[Rod]

I knew someone would ask that. I attached that to the tailgate because it’s difficult to get closed when it’s hanging straight down with no way to grasp it. And it’s pretty heavy (heavier than it needs to be I think). The tailgate that is.

[Rod]

For those following this thread I put two pictures of the finished cart in the photo section.

[Robert MoonShadow]

Rod ~ Ooohhh, I know what I want for my birthday, now!! 😀
That is one slick, professional-looking job there! Now you know we’re going to want to know how well it actually works, don’t you? With those colors & the quality workmanship (and paint job!), it looks like it came straight out of the 1928 John Deere showroom.
{Um, can you tell I like it? ;)}
So with that handle arrangement, can you operate it from the seat? Did you ever talk to your welder to see if he intends to market these? I’d be interested in knowing what the final weight of it turns out to be.
You know what? I was just thinking about a large landscape job I did at a hospital, once… had to move a lot of dirt to create sound-berms, and different features – all by wheelbarrow because of the noise factor around, well, a hopital zone… a trained team {horse/mule or oxen} & this device sure would’ve come in handy. It’s certainly has lots of possibilities.

[Rod]

Hi Robert

Thanks for the compliments, actually most of the welding work was done by a Farmer friends son.His name is Josh and his phone is 1-603-355-7303. I did ask him and is is very intrested in building more of these if people want them.

I figured I could just slide a rebar extension into the dump handle and operate it from the seat as you suggested.

[BIGOX]

That is a great looking cart Rod! I am sure you will get a ton of use out of it.

Here is a pic of a small cart we used all the time when I was a kid. We used it to give rides, pick rocks out of the field, move firewood, and muck out the barn. One summer dad built a patio on the house that is 20 feet by 60 feet. We removed 12 inches of dirt and replaced it with 6 inches of gravel before pouring the pad. 99% of it was move with this cart and my young Dexter steer Black Jack. Dad was real picky about us dumping the dirt exactly on the spot he wanted not just near it. It was a pain at times but Jack and I probably learned more on that project than any other time. We won every contest that year at the fair.

[Rod]

@Patrick 5620 wrote:

I agree with the others Rod. That cart is some nice. I can’t wait to see a picture with the seat in place.
I had a hard time picturing how the rear door was hinged, from looking at the plans. What do you have planned for the latching mechanism, especially to hold in all the weight, if you had it loaded with something heavy like gravel?
What is the purpose of adding a third wheel? The plans say that their version would weigh in at over 300 kg. You sure about your estimate of 300lbs?
Anyone have any idea of what they would have to get for one, if they were making one similar to sell to others?

I posted a picture of the cart with the seat on it in the photos section.

[ivy]

I too admire this cart! So much so that I am going to try and make one for my boy. But, inspite of this very detailed discussion, I’ve not seen many carts in action. So, I had some questions.

1) Where is it exactly that you hook the shafts? (I put my guess in the picture I am attaching). Do you secure them there with pins? The spots in the center are for a single tree or a fore cart sort of hookup?

2) Do you need to bend the shafts (and if so how) so they are at the right angle to hook to a yoke (instead of the built in yoke in the original design)? Is there ever any concern that the cart will try to flip up if not hooked to the yoke? If so would this put pressure on the steer’s neck?

Clearly, Rod, I should have checked this out closer when I came to get the yoke!

-ivy[IMG]

[Rod]

The way I set it up the pole and the shafts both connect to the 2″ receiver, the shafts in the lower one and the pole above. The single tree and or eveners are mounted on the shafts or the pole.My shafts are setup with a 2″ tubing in the center to fit the various carts I have so everything is interchangeable.

I am building a classical tip cart now which might be better for a single although it’s being built with a pole for a team. This design might be a better choice for a single if you are going to build something from scratch. I will post some photos of the work in progress a little later.

[Author]

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