Studies on draftability and enhanced utilization of small size bullocks of Odisha for pulling improved steel cart on tar road

An improved steel bullock cart (2.0 tones capacity) of INSDAG (Institute of Steel Development and Growth, Kolkata) design has been evaluated after putting rubber liner on its wheels as a modification, with a view to study its suitability in preventing the surface of rural roads. The cart with and without rubber liner was tested in the tar road of animal test track existed in the premises of OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha during the year 2012 with a pair of non-descript small size bullocks having a pair body weight of 420 kg. The results indicated that the small size bullocks could sustain pulling a pay load of 1200 kg continuously for three hours with rubber liner with the work rest cycle of 1 hour work + 15 min rest + 1 hour work + 20 min rest + 1 hour work as against 900 kg without rubber liner in tar road.