The Golovan one-ox cartBruce J ubert The ‘Golovan ’ one-ox cart

A recent animal traction survey in South Africa identified a ‘felt need ’ for low-cost, lightweight and modernised animal-drawn carts in many of the areas visited. The University of Fort Hare has obtained plans for an ox cart designed by an Eastern Cape farmer for use on farms and by rural communities. Called the ‘Golovan one-ox cart’, an example has been constructed, and it is currently being used on the university's research farm to do on-farm work. This paper discusses the technical aspects of the cart and the practicalities of using it for a range of on-farm and rural activities. The cart has a gravel-hauling capacity of about 1 t-km/hr and its use for road gravelling schemes will probably be economical. The technology is compatible with local culture and skills and may offer indirect benefits to rural communities