Float (horse-drawn)

A float is a form of two-wheeled horse-drawn cart[1] with a dropped axle to give an especially low load-bed.

For conveyance used to haul horses, see Horse trailer.
Horse-drawn milk float, c. 1904, with dropped axle

They were intended for carrying heavy or unstable items such as milk churns.[2] The name survives today in that of the milk float.

The axle passes beneath the load-bed of the cart but was cranked upwards at each side. This allows the load to be carried low, for stability and ease of loading with heavy objects such as churns or barrels. The high position of the stub axles allows large wheels, giving a smooth ride. The box body is open at the rear, with no more than a chain across for safety. Rather than a driving seat or box, they are driven from a standing position, alongside the load. Floats were drawn by a single horse or, especially in Ireland, a donkey.

See also
  • Brewer's dray

References
  1. James Arnold. All Drawn by Horses. David & Charles.
  2. Percy W Blandford (1976). Old Farm Tools and Machinery. David & Charles. ISBN 0-7153-7151-7.


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