Brian, there are different widths for different purposes, for example when plowing with a 14in plow the eveners on the double-tree should be set 38 in apart, while when on a 12 in plow the distance should only be 33 in. The single-trees themselves have to be wide enough that the traces do not rub against the horses/mules legs. That goes for pulling any piece of equipment. Therefore their lengths are determined by the size of the draft animal. As a general rule of thumb, the evener should rather be a little wider than so narrow that the animal is at risk of chafing. For plowing single-trees/ eveners should be depending on the size of the animal from 26 to 30 inches, wagon single-trees are similar, may also be slightly longer.
Since you want to have the animals parallel to the pole/ tongue , they need to spaced as far apart in front as in back, that means that the neck-yoke has to match the width of the double-tree.
For cultivation purposes the distance between the animals may vary, therefore the length of the double-tree and neck-yoke as well.
Oftentimes one can buy a piece of equipment that was made for the smaller draft animals of the past , or for mules. When one uses them for the bigger horses of today, adjustments are necessary. I , for example , had to lengthen the pole on a straddle-row cultivators.


7 years ago via Forums | Front Porch Forum

I thought the old timers used 48" I use 36" evenours 24" single trees and 36" neck yokes the teams don't or can't follow the tracks or pickup trails in the pastures as it is to narrow, I think 48" would alow them to walk in the trails made by the full size pickups.


7 years ago via Forums | Front Porch Forum

9' 6" from the evenour hole to the neck yoke stop for a team, 4 abreast takes a little longer about 6" I think.


7 years ago via Forums | Front Porch Forum

Thanks for explaining. I think there was a book, now out of print, that delved into the physics of all this. Which is why I thought it easiest just to ask on the forum! Am I correct in assuming that width of yoke/evener plays a bigger role in something like plowing as opposed to something like a disc, were there's nominal lateral draft?


7 years ago via Forums | Front Porch Forum