Item

Description

Quantity

Cart

One shaft, at least 2m long from front of loadbed

Two hitching points (hooks or rings):

1.       above shaft, at front end,

2.       pulling point under shaft just in front of loadbed.

Wheels as large as possible

Tyres pneumatic as possible

Springs if possible

1

Donkeys

In good condition, especially their legs and feet

Deep chests

2

Harnesses

or

No sharp cutting edges or wire.

Must fit the donkey wearing it, so preferably adjustable

Various materials possible, but must be:

§         strong

§         easy to clean

§         preferably absorbent

(Design available on request)

4

Swingle and evener sets

Made of light, strong, rigid material (metal or wood)

Each swingle connected to evener by two chain links

Swingles long enough so that traces move clear of donkey body

2

Traces

Preferably chains, 4mm

Each 2m maximum

4

Hooks

Strong carbon steel (to take force)

S-shaped can link traces to swingles, if not fixed, and eveners to cart, if not fixed.

C-shaped, if not already fixed to harnesses, to link harnesses to traces

(as required)

What it looks like

1

(b)     Fix traces/chains between swingles, keeping them straight and tight

From top:

(NB These can stay in place permanently)

2

3

(when donkeys are accustomed, they do this on voice command)

4

Pull up traces to hook tight to harnesses:

§         Front harness hooks to back

§         Back harness hooks to front

(This is a little easier if someone lifts the disselboom/shaft)

Slack chain remains between the hooks

5

§         Disselboom/shaft far enough from ground at front  (if not, then tighten traces more with hooks)

§         Donkey front and back far enough from swingles so no contact when moving (if not, unhook and reposition donkey, then re-hook)

6

Donkey comfort and efficiency assured.

Item

Description

Quantity

Cart

Two shafts, at least 1,50m long from front of loadbed

Two hitching points (large staples or D-shackles), opposite one another, one on each shaft, 1 m from front of loadbed.

Wheels as large as possible

Tyres pneumatic if possible

Springs if possible

1

Donkey

In good condition, especially legs and feet

Deep chest

1

Wide straps

About 50 mm wide, 1500 mm long

No sharp cutting edges or wire.

Must fit the donkey wearing it, so preferably adjustable

Various materials possible, but must be:

§         strong

§         easy to clean

§         preferably absorbent

3

1

1.       Around donkey’s chest

2.       Under donkey’s tail

3.       Over donkey’s back.

Attach to staples/shackles firmly, all projections away from donkey body.

If different donkeys to be used at different times, then each strap should be adjustable, preferably by buckle

(NB These can stay in place permanently)

2

2.       Lower harness over donkey, sliding front strap over head, and back strap under tail.

3

§         Are shafts level with each other ?

§         Are straps tight enough on donkey ?

§         Is donkey far enough from front of cart not to touch it ?

4

Donkey comfort and efficiency assured.

Item

Description

Quantity

Donkeys

In good condition, especially their legs and feet

Deep chests

2

Harnesses

No sharp cutting edges or wire.

Must fit the donkey wearing it, so preferably adjustable

Various materials possible, but must be:

§         strong

§         easy to clean

§         preferably absorbent

(Design available on request)

2

Swingle and evener sets

Made of light, strong, rigid material (metal or wood)

Each swingle connected to evener by two chain links

Swingles long enough so that traces move clear of donkey body

1

Traces

Preferably chains

Each 2m maximum

4

Hooks

Strong carbon steel (to take force)

S-shaped can link traces to swingles, if not fixed, and eveners to cart, if not fixed.

C-shaped, if not already fixed to harnesses, to link harnesses to traces

(as required)

1

(d)     Fix traces/chains to swingles

(when donkeys are accustomed, they do this on voice command)

4

5

§         Disselboom/shaft far enough from ground at front  (if not, then tighten traces more with hooks)

§         Donkeys front and back far enough from swingles so no contact when moving (if not, unhook and reposition donkey, then re-hook)

6

Donkey comfort and efficiency assured.

Item

Description

Quantity

Donkey

In good condition, especially legs and feet

Deep chest

1

Harness

No sharp cutting edges or wire.

Must fit the donkey wearing it, so preferably adjustable

Various materials possible, but must be:

§         strong

§         easy to clean

§         preferably absorbent

(Design available on request)

1

Traces

Preferably chains

Each 2m maximum

2

Hooks

Strong carbon steel (to take force)

S-shaped can link traces to swingles, if not fixed, and eveners to cart, if not fixed.

C-shaped, if not already fixed to harnesses, to link harnesses to traces

(as required)

Step

What you do

What it looks like

1

2

2.       Connect traces from harness of front donkey to staples or D-shackles on each shaft of cart

3

§         Are shafts level with each other ?

§         Are straps tight enough on donkeys ?

§         Is donkey far enough from front of cart not to touch it ?

4

READY TO GO !

Donkey comfort and efficiency assured.