Axle Plow

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.