Another alternative is to use a rear-end-axle combination taken from an abandoned truck
after the pole shift. The tire would be removed from one wheel rim. The rim would be
mounded on one side for the cable to wind up on. Cable would go through the valve stem
hole and be tied off or a wire clamp used. The axle on the other side would be prevented
from turning either by locking the mechanical break permanently set or by chaining the
rim in such a way as to not allow the shaft to turn. The unit could be put in the ground
with the axle housing partly below ground level with the pinion shift sticking straight up.
A trench would be dug in the ground so the wheel rim could turn. The top of the axle
housing would be just at ground level, arranged such that one will not trip over it as one
walks over it. Wooden posts or logs would be dug and set into the ground to hold this
unit anchored to the ground to keep it from moving. The cable would end up about 1 to 2
ft off the ground. One would not walk over the cable to turn the pinion shaft.
A piece of the rubber tire would be cut out to fit tightly on the pinion shaft. This would
be cut to fit to keep water from running down into and past a possible old pinion gear oil
seal. The drive shaft and universal joint would be put back on the pinion shaft so as to
stick up in the air perpendicular to the ground. Logs or wood, 4x4 timbers firmly placed
in the ground, could be used to hold this in place so that the shaft can still turn.
Depending on the length of the shaft, the yoke at the other end would be fitted with wood,
bolted through the two large holes that previously had a U-joint. This in turn could be
bolted to as many cross members as you have labor to push the bars as has been
described. The push bars would not be long enough, causing it to be necessary to walk
over the cable. The gear reduction ratio of the rear end would give an advantage and
make it easier to push and turn. The wide metal truck tire rim would be stronger and
longer lasting than a large wooden spool.
One could use a pulley on a post several feet away from the drum with another
pulley-post at the end of each row as you have suggested. This would work at the end of
a rectangular field. The post would need to be put in at an angle and braced so as to not
be pulled out of the ground with the force involved. All pulleys would need to be extra
large diameter if fallen scrounged electrical transmission wire is used. This wire is not
as flexible as fine strand steel wire.
Another variation on this. If one had another old car or truck with 4 good wheels then
this could be used as a stable platform with this truck axle cable pulley mounted in the
center with its axle perpendicular to the axles on the vehicle. The truck or car would be
rolled back and forth at the end of the row to be plowed. The cable would come from the
center of gravity of the vehicle. The cable could be used to pull the vehicle back and
forth using a post at two corners of the rectangular area needing plowing. A pulley
would be attached to the vehicle to allow the cable to make a right angle direction
change. The cable would pull the unit to the proper row. The cable would then be used
to plow the row, then pulled to the next row, and so on. If the car or truck is not heavy
enough, then dirt can be used as a ballast.
Offered by Mike.