Work sled questions

[patchencindy]

I am new to this site and have already found tons of useful info in the discussions. I especially appreciate the helpful tone of the forum. This is my first post, and I’m hoping someone can offer recommendations about building a work sled for use with our new Haflinger. My questions: We’re using treated 4-to-5-inch round posts for the runners. Do you think we should notch them out where the crosspieces (2x4s or 2x6s) will be screwed in, or will the foundation be sturdy enough screwing directly into the posts without mortising? Also, where is the best place to attach the eye bolts: on the sides of the runners, the front of the front-most crosspiece, or somewhere else? For now, this will only be a single-horse sled. Thanks for any advice you can give. Cindy

[carl ny]

Screwed on would probably hold but I would mortice. Is this sled going to have shafts or just hook with singletree? Either way I would hook to the runners. JMHO Personally,I would use shafts.

carl ny

[Jonathan Shively]

I just rebuilt one of my mudboats for my Fjord team. I used 4×6’s treated for my runners and deck screwed my 2×6’s across. I didn’t mortise anything as I wanted to keep my ground clearance. Also I have a metal bar that bolts to each runner using three bolts that my evener hooks to. So the runners are pulled from that and that metal bar keeps the pull straight instead of trying to pull the skis together. Clear as mud? Will try to get some pictures of it and post so that might help. Don’t forget to put a hitch point at the rear, that is very handy especially in the woods where you can get hung up and find you need to unhook and pull back to get out of a bind. Long skis provide more surface tension resulting in harder pull, so wide with shorter runners is easier on your horse or team, but then depends on your trails.

[patchencindy]

Thanks, both of you. Carl, I like the idea of adding shafts, but I don’t feel comfortable enough with the how and where to include them. Maybe next project. Jonathan, I’d definitely like to see a picture of what you built. You did a good job of explaining, so I think I understand how your mudboat is put together, more or less. Excellent advice about the rear hitch! Wouldn’t have thought of that, but makes perfect sense.

[carl ny]

Without shafts you don’t have any way to keep your sled from running into your horse. that’s why I use an arch for all my skidding except the twitching. Also the sled will tend to go in a strait line instead of follow the horse.I don’t use hardly any thong without shafts or a pole,even my stone boat I pull behind the forecart.I do pull an old tractor tire when training a new horse,that’s about the only thing. JMHO

carl

[patchencindy]

I hear you, Carl. Unfortunately, I’ve not been able to find any guidance online for attaching shafts to the sled and don’t really know where to begin. How would they hook in? We have a small farm wagon that already has shafts, but it’d be out of my league “borrowing” them.

[carl ny]

I would attach them to the runners the same way they are attached to the wagon.You might have to manufacture some brackets.

carl ny

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