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Improvement of the Existing Design of Bullock Carts Used in Bangladesh

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

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

S. M. H. Saif
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, Dhaka

A. A. M. Hussain
Department of farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The purpose of this study was to redesign the existing bullock carts for reducing draft requirement to ensure efficient utilization of bullock power. Considering all of the possibilities and limitations of socio-economic and technical aspects, new designs were made to the wheel, axle platform supporting unit, and yoke harness. The performance of the newly designed cart revealed that the draft requirement reduced by about one third to one half and one fifth to one third over conventional cart with in¬creasing platform load on earthen and paved road respectively. The speed was increased by about 16 percent to 14 percent and 2.0 percent to 10 percent at no load and 1600 kg load on earthen and paved road respectively. The technology involved in manufacturing the new cart is very simple and within the reach of semi-skilled artisans. The improvement suggested an extra cost amounting to Taka 500 over the cost of a conventional one. However, better performance, longer working life and scope of efficient utilization of bullock power may popularize the suggested design.

Keywords: Draft Requirement, Semi-skilled Artisans, Indigenous Cart.

Location: Department of farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Farm Mechanization

Commodity: Product development

Objectives:

To redesign the existing bullock cart to reduce friction between the hub and axle, minimizing rolling resistance, reduce tare-weight and introduce better harnessing technique, so that the draft requirement of the cart may be reduced to ensure efficient utilization of the existing energy potntial of bullocks in rural transport.

Methodology:

In the process of selecting a bearing for the newly designed cart, performance tests of the cart fitted with cast iron bush hearing and tapered roller bearing were made on both earthen and paved roads with increasing platform load; comparisons were made accordingly. The same pair of bullocks (each weighing 360 kg) were employed for all the tests. In each test tare-weight of the cart, additional load, pulling force, angle of pull, distance travelled and the time needed to cover the distance were recorded carefully. A pull type dynamometer was used to measure pulling forces. The travel distance during each treatment was measured by using a simple measuring tape. and the time needed to cover the distance was recorded by a stop watch. Front the recorded data draft requirement and speed were calculated. Similarly, a conventional Pabna cart W tested on both earthen and paved roads with increasing platform load and performances was compared with the newly designed cart fitted with cast iron hush bearing. The newly designed cart, fitted with conventional bamboo neck harness, was tested on both earthen and paved road conditions with a platform load of 800 kg. The pulling force, angle of pull, distance travelled and the time needed to cover the distance were recorded, From recorded data, speed, draft and power were calculated and comparisons were made accordingly.

Source of Information: Journal of Engineering for International Development, Vol. 1, No. 2, pp 13-21

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Considering possibilities and limitations of socio-economic and technical aspects of rural transport in Bangladesh, improvements have been made in the existing design of the bullock cart, The new design of wheel provides a trapezoidal cross-section to the rim, thereby reduced sinkage and rolling resistance. The insertion of a cast iron bush hearing in the hub and the provision made for lubrication reduced friction between hub and axle. As a result a reduction in draft requirement has been achieved. The redesign of the platform supporting truss has the created the opportunity to adjust the line of pull as close as possible to the horizontal depending upon the height of bullocks. The materials used in the new design are (Accacia arabica) wood, bamboo, mild Steel angles and rods. The technology involved in maimfactuting the newly designed can is very simple and can easily be done by semi-skilled artisans. The improvements suggested an additional cost of about 20 percent over the conventional design. However, better performance and the longer working life of both the bulock and the cart overshadow this increased cost.

Knowledge Management: Journal