Farm Vehicles Definitions

CART
The farm cart was a two-wheeled vehicle used for all types of farm work. It benefited, over the wagon, in having only two wheels which could be transferred and used with other cart bodies. Tasks in which they were employed included manure spreading, harvesting and other agricultural tasks. They were drawn by one horse in shafts or two in tandem. Carts were greatly favoured in Scotland and the Wales and the Welsh Marches. Bodies varied, some with bow-sided and some as flat loading vehicles. Floorboards were set longitudinally rather than crosswise to make cleaning and scraping out easier.

              Farm Cart                                    Harvest Cart                          Yorkshire Cart       

GAMBO
A two-wheeled flat-bed vehicle native to Wales and the Marches and, to some extent, the Cotswolds and South West England. It was used mainly for harvesting in hilly districts.

HERMAPHRODITE
This was an economy vehicle popular, particularly, on smallholdings. Its design was based on a cross between the cart and the wagon having the rear body of a cart which, when required, was fitted with a forward, wheeled, extension. It was usually drawn by a single horse although a second horse could be harnessed in tandem. The vehicle was also known in the vernacular, particularly in Lincolnshire, as a “morphrodite” or “muffers”.

                Hermaphrodite                                                                         Cart for Hermaphrodite

HOP TUG
A wagon used in the Kentish and Worcestershire hop fields.

RAKE
An extension to a cart or wagon used at harvest time to extend the load carrying capability of the vehicle. There are many alternatives from the counties. Lincolnshire: Gormer; Devonshire: Ladder; Other counties Ladder; Harvest pole; Thripples; High Naves; Shelvings.

TIMBER BOB
A simple two-wheeled vehicle drawn by a horse in shafts, or two in tandem, used for dragging logs and timber from the forest to the wheelwright’s yard. The felled tree was slung underneath the simple framework. It was also referred to as a Nib; Neb; Jankers; Jigger; Jinker, Pair of Wheels; Snib or Sulky (not to be confused with the single seat sporting vehicle).

TIMBER TUG
A four-wheeled vehicle used to convey felled trees and heavy timber. The "carriage" was extendable with stanchions and end bolsters supported on a central, adjustable, beam.

TUMBRIL
A large wheeled cart with medium height sides and rearward tipping gear drawn by a single horse in shafts

TYRE
An iron hoop forged, heated and shrunk onto a wheel to hold the whole together. It also gave extended wear to the rim over all surfaces. The original of the word was “Tire” or “Tier” since it tied the wheel together. It was also known as a “bond” or “hoop”.

WAGON (WAGGON)
Farm wagons were generally divided into "box" wagons, compact with high sides, or "bow" wagons with lower sides, longer bodies and raves above the rear wheels to protect them from any overhang. Each county produced its own arch-typical wagon made by local wheelwrights. Box wagons were favoured in the eastern counties, Yorkshire and the east Midlands while Bow wagons were found in the Cotswolds, the south Midlands and the south-west. Few wagons, however, were found in Scotland, west Wales, the Lake District or the Penines where the two-wheeled cart was favoured. Wagons were drawn usually by ox or horse teams because of their weight.

Until the second half of the nineteenth century wagons had a very restricted turning circle.

This was solved with the introduction of the factory-made "barge" or "boat" wagon which possessed wheels that could turn full lock beneath the body.

Variations of the basic wagon were found in other trades, notably milling and in the Kentish and Worcestershire hop fields where the vehicle was known as a "Hop Tug".

WAIN
Two, or four-wheeled vehicles with high sides and end-ladders used particularly at harvest time, hence Haywain.

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