In the continuation of the SmP test report 2013-3, covering the eight-wheeler SV5, manufactured by the OSTERBY SMEDJA company from REJMYRE (SWEDEN), an additional test series was carried out with the same horse drawn forwarder for a more extensive analysis of various hitch configurations.The trials, which took place in April 2015, showed that the best working comfort for the horse is guaranteed by leather or hemp rope traces connected to a singletree or by articulated steel traction shafts. There were very little differences between these three hitch configurations. Rigid steel shafts, which don't follow the alternating movement of the horse's shoulders, have to be considered as an ineffective and uncomfortable way of hitching draft horses.A positive effect of coil type steel draft springs, to be mounted between the traces and the singletree, could not be determined in relation to the stress peaks at the start. Contrary to the expectations, the draft springs did not decrease, but amplifiedthe starting load. However, a fractional reduction of the draft force average values during the test runs could be measured with draft springs.Furthermore, the assumption that the collar not just influences the pressure on the horse's shoulders, but also the load distribution on both sides, was confirmed.Further information about a horse's acceptable draft power can be found at www.schaffmatpaerd.org.
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