Ingenious Implements: Horse-Operated Farm Machinery Going Strong

To work with the forecart, White Horse makes a 2-wheeled trailer with a hydraulic 3-point hitch that allows any category one, 3-point, non-PTO implement to be used. White Horse offers a 2-bottom, 3-point plow to use with the carts that has a unique trip feature in case an underground obstruction is struck. The vertical standard that holds the bottom is pivoted to the rear end of the beam. A hydraulic cylinder connects the top of the standard to the front of the beam and is plumbed into the hydraulic system. When the plow point hits an obstruction, the bottom kicks back and up, compressing the fluid in the cylinder. After the obstruction is passed, increased pressure causes the cylinder to automatically reset the bottom into position.

White Horse makes a non-hydraulic sulky plow as well, along with conventional steel eveners, and a rope-and-pulley hitch system that eliminates the need for heavy eveners between each team in a multiple hitch.

For horse farmers who want to use PTO-driven implements, such as balers, corn pickers, combines and the like, Pioneer Equipment offers a full line of motorized forecarts. Though pulled by horses, these carts feature gasoline engines from 20 to 35 hp, as well as Deutz diesel-powered models from 27 to 120 hp. The carts are quite sophisticated, with electric start and a fully instrumented control panel. The throttle, clutch lever and hydraulic valve levers are all within easy reach of the comfortable, air-ride armchair seat. Hydraulic brakes and steering complete the package.

Pioneer also makes a full line of walking, sulky and gang plows, spike- and spring-tooth harrows, regular forecarts, and wagons and sleds. In addition, the company offers steel and wood eveners, wagon and implement tongues, rope-and-pulley hitches and steel wheels of all sizes.

Some horse farmers are reluctant to use engine power of any kind, so I&J Mfg. has come up with ground-driven PTO forecarts that have a PTO shaft that’s driven from the action of the cart’s wheels as they turn. The regular-duty model is said to have power equivalent to a 9 hp engine and is capable of running PTO trailer mowers, small hay tedders and rakes, field sprayers and small manure spreaders. The heavy-duty model, which is still in the experimental stage, was demonstrated running a 7-foot-cut New Holland Haybine while being pulled by four horses, so it probably puts out about as much power as an 18 hp engine. These carts have a 12-volt battery and an electric motor-powered hydraulic pump that gives them the ability to operate lift cylinders on the pulled implements.