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Performance of Indigenous Bullock Carts of Bangladesh and Prospects of Design Improvements

Saifullah M.H. Saif
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

A. A. Mainul Hussain
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

M. M. Alam
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

M. D. Hussain
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Performance of indigenous bullock carts. collected from different regions of Bangladesh, were studied Physical characteristics and basic design features were similar in all regions. However, some potential advantages were observed in the models of carts in the north-western region of the country. Carts fitted with steel axle and lubricated with used motor oil required less drat than that of wooden axle carts. Draft requirement increased rapidly with an increment of pay load after about 800 kg, particularly in wooden axle cart attributed to tremendous friction between the axle and the hub. Solid steel axle reduced the draft requirement, but increased the tare weight of the cart and its cost. Shock load transmitted to the neck of the draft animals were identified as the principal source of injury to them. High draft requirements were also attributes of improper harnessing of the animals and excessive sinkage of wheels in earthen roads due to small rim width. These observations prompted the necessity of possible improvements in the design of the existing models of the carts with particular emphasis on the wheel-axle system, carrier-platform support system and animal harnessing technique in order to ensure efficient utilization of bullock power.

Keywords: Bullock, Carts, Wooden Axle

Location: Bangladesh Agricultural University Farm

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Farm Mechanization

Commodity: Performance evaluation

Objectives:

To evaluate the performance of indigenous bullock carts of Bangladesh and prospects of design improvements

Methodology:

All of rise collected five carts were tested on paved and earthen roads of Bangladesh Agricultural University Farm. The same pair of bullocks were employed for all tests. Uniform ration was provided to these animals during the entire test period. Initially the animals were trained adequately for the test conditions before actual tests were performed. The carts were tested in empty as well as loaded conditions an paved and earthen roads. A load of 1027 kg (sand bags) in addition to tare weight was used in loaded cart tests. During each test weight of the cart, palling force (average and maximum}, angle of pull, speed of travel and wheel sinkage were recorder. A pull type dynamometer fitted with a chart recorded was used to measure the pulling force. From the recorded data average draft and power were calculated. Sinkage was measered by using ordinary foot ruler. The effect of the increment of load was studied on Pabria cart only and on paved road.

A traditional bullock cart in Bangladesh consists of two large diameter wooden wheels with wooden spokes and hub, a loading platform made of bamboo and supported by two wooden blocks on the axle near the two wheels, a wooden ailed, and a simple piece of bamboo yoke harness. According to the objectives of this study different regions of the country were selected as the representative area for sample cart collection. Emphasis was given to the northern and western regions of the country since carts are extensively used in thosed regions. Sample bullock carts were collected irons the rural areas of the following districts: Dinajpur, Rajshahi, Pabna, Khulna, and Myinensing .

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Agri. 1996, 21: 49-60

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Existing designs of the cart in the country are very indigenous. However_ there is some thing useful in each make of the cart that could he put together in the new design. In fact basic ideas of improvement suggested in the new design were derived from the existing carts. The design improvements suggested above for the new cart are the most outstanding ones. It is expected that once these improvements are incorporated in the existing carts noticeable improvement in their performance is expected. Further improvement necessities could he ascertained thereafter

Knowledge Management: Journal