The bullock cart (also known as a bullock wagon or bullock team) is a common means of transportation used traditionally since ancient times in many parts of the world. They are still used today where modern vehicles are too expensive or the infrastructure does not favor them. Bullock comes from the old English for castrated male cattle. Used especially for carrying goods, the bullock cart is pulled by one or several bullocks or oxen. The cart (or a jinker) is attached to a bullock team by a special chain attached to yokes, but a rope may also be used for one or two animals. The driver and any other passengers sit on the front of the cart, while load is placed in the back.
Observation:
The invention of the WHEEL definitely brought about a revolution of its own. It made transportation of goods much easier. Traditionally, the Bullock Cart wheels are made of different types of wood and sometimes, the rim is covered with metal sheet as well.
Suggestion:
It is a well known fact that rubber tyres fitted on wheels use lesser force as compared to wooden wheels. Charles Goodyear, and John Dunlop have established this quite conclusively. However, when the entire world is moving towards better cars and tyres every day, there are still thousands of bullock carts that still have wooden wheels.
The result:
- Excessive load on the bullocks, leading to fatigue and health issues related to the animal.
- Speed of the carts is slow.
- Efficiency of the bullock-carts is low.
The Government of India can undertake replacing all the wooden wheels with that of rubber tyres suitable for farming. This would not only decrease the load on a vast majority of animals , but also increase the efficiency of work (be it transportation or farming). A small increase per bullock-cart would accrue to a huge amount for the entire country. Second hand tyres are not that exorbitant. The owners of the bullock cart may not be financially well off to invest in the tyres themselves. However, where the government can spend millions, a few thousand more for the 'common man' would go a long way in improving the condition of people and the bullocks in many villages of the country.
4 comments:
I am not sure if "Rubber Tyres" will survive the tough conditions in which the "Wooden Tyres" are put to use. Remember a bullock cart is a multi-utility vehicle.
Moreover operational expenses would be much higher in case of rubber in comparison to wooden - more frequent replacement.
Promoting bullock carts with metal/rubber rims might be a better idea.
I think they would definitely survive the tough conditions. Wood tends to rot over a period of time. And multi-utility does not go to imply a connection with wood. They would still be used for numerous purposes. Moreover, how frequently do we change tyres of our cars which we drive so often and at such high speeds?
Perhaps, more research needs to go into this :) Thanks for that insight...
By multi-utility I meant that the tyres are exposed to different terrains/roads (which are not as smooth as roads in towns - often replete with thorns and sharp pointed objects) thus making it important to be driven on something which is hard.
The metal rimming is done to improve the life of the wooden tyre.
Yeah I think more research could definitely be more useful.
However read sometime back that a farmer in UP had innovated on something on his cart and the local police
confiscated his product citing usage of illegal motor vehicle :)
PS: I think you could also right about Goonj in your blog - classifies well under the theme of "making world a better place" :)
PPS: And keep more of these posts coming - i like them :)
Thanks :) Feels good when someone reads the posts.... Next post would definitely be on GOONJ!
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