PVC Dog Cart

I already had the wood shafts - 5 foot long, 1-1/4 inch poplar rods - which I used for a variety of other chores around the ranch, so Angie chose to adapt those to the PVC cart. Luciano was harnessed, and the distance from the ground to the center of a level shaft was measured. Two lengths of 1-1/4 inch PVC were cut so that, topped with a Tee, the center of the Tee was the height of the level shaft. Because the inside diameter of the Tee was larger than the shaft, Angie cut a two-inch long insert from the 3/4" pipe, wrapped it with a couple wraps of tape to keep it from wobbling, and placed it inside the Tee. The shaft was fitted into the insert and the whole fitting drilled to accept a carriage bolt. The same was done for the other side.

Because the cart is substantially wider than the dog, the posts with the drilled Tees were angled facing slightly inward. Shafts were inserted and measured on the dog. The correct angles were marked and the shafts removed. A two-inch piece of pipe led to an elbow on each side, and a two-foot cross bar to stabilize the front. The pieces were then positioned, glued to each other, but not to the cart itself.

The reason we wound up with a front and a back is that we mis-judged the angle the first time; so Angie mounted reflectors and used that section for the back. It is not glued to the cart

The front was inserted into the uprights of the "Y" and the fittings and pipe drilled, front to rear, and eye-bolts inserted. These will clip to the traces. The shiny piece halfway up the front piece is the metal-tape-wrapped shaft insert.The purple color was where the Purple Primer ran!

The Cart is assembled and ready to go.

It's Time to Roll!

The cart can be totally broken down, to a flat bottom with the wheels removed. However, I find I can leave the front attached, leave the wheels on, and fit the cart body into the rear part of my wagon, leaving enough room for the dog between the cart and the front barrier. I sewed blue nylon bags to carry the shafts and harness, as well as the bungie cords I use to secure everything to the cart once I arrive at the show or carting workshop.

The next one we make will probably have a singletree at the front, instead of the traces attaching directly to the cart - we'll see if there is a difference in usefullness with either design.

Thanks to Warrick Wilson and Michael Marcus for the original ideas and Angie Meroshnekoff for the labor and creativity.

Lee Smith of Marshall, North Carolina sent this picture of the cart he made for Gomer, his 105-lb Boxer x Pit Bull. He says Gomer loves to work.

Catherine de la Cruz
Poste de Pompier Working Great Pyrenees

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