Hatch design ensures that the horse is put before the cart
Township coal-cart horses and their owners will have a load taken off their shoulders, as well as a new lease on life, thanks to a generous donation and an innovative cart design from Hatch Africa – an industry leader in engineering, project and construction management services, process and business consulting and operational services to the mining, metallurgical, energy and infrastructure industries.
Marketing co-ordinator, Michelle Reinhard, facilitated the introduction of The Society for Animals in Distress (SAID) to Hatch after being alerted to certain pre-existing problems with horse carts and limited income opportunities for coal-yard owners. As a result, Hatch Africa designed a lightweight, multi-purpose cart that will benefit working animals and the community at large. What’s more, Hatch donated R20 000 to SAID to enable them to purchase the necessary cart components.
Hatch designated eight students in various engineering disciplines from its bursary programme to design a new cart to afford coal-yard owners other opportunities besides the sale and distribution of coal. The commodity is only in demand during the winter months, and SAID identified a definite need for income-generating activities during summer.
“We have been associated with SAID for the past four years, and when they approached us with this project, we were more than happy to assist with this diverse and worthy cause,” explains Arlen Loehmer, Hatch Africa hub lead for systems and process control. “The outcome of this project resulted in the completion of a multi-purpose cart that will not only be use to transport coal, but also to assist the greater community, acting as a delivery vehicle for informal shops, or as a mode of transportation for weddings and funerals.”
The Hatch Africa team needed to meet the following requirements:
- Design a cart versatile enough to allow the owner to perform a variety of functions;
- The dimension of the cart, excluding the draw-pole, should be approximately that of a long-wheel base single-cab bakkie;
- The cart should be able to carry a coal load of 600 kg, excluding driver and passenger;
- The design should be roadworthy and comfortable so as not to harm the animals;
- Budget of the design must be kept between R8 000 and R10 000.
Loehmer notes that it took the engineering students two years to complete the project. “The designs were completed after the first year, but on their return, the students were faced with a number of challenges relating to the design of the cart. Firstly, the original axle design did not allow the cart to turn 360 degrees, and the shaft that rests on the horse’s back was not height adjustable,” he explains.
Despite these setbacks, Loehmer says that the students were undeterred, and having learned from their mistakes, they displayed passion and determination during the final leg of their task. They successfully completed the project after consultation with an equine veterinarian, who explained key design aspects that could affect the safety and comfort of the animals. The drawings detailing the design were then professionally-approved by Steve Stacey, head of structural engineering at Hatch Africa.
“The students gained valuable insight into a real-life project undertaking, and it has changed their understanding of how engineering works. We are proud to be part of a project that will bring so many benefits to local communities, and we are committed to making a noticeable difference wherever we can,” Loehmer continues.
The introduction of this new cart will compliment the horse-care training that the coal-yard owners and workers have received from SAID. What’s more, a number of community members have also been trained as farriers and harness-makers; thus creating employment opportunities while ensuring quality hoof care for the horses and empowering residents.
SAID executive general manager, Heather Müller, hopes to receive more corporate donations in order to distribute the new carts to coal-yard owners in SAID’s operational areas. She says: “I would like to thank Hatch Africa for enabling us to introduce this practical new cart that will make a profound difference in the lives of both the residents of greater Tembisa, and the working equine. Through owner-training and veterinary care, the condition of some 300 working horses in these areas has improved considerably,” she concludes.
Ends.
Notes to the Editor
There are numerous photographs specific to this press release. Please visit http://media.ngage.co.za and click the Hatch link.
About Hatch
Hatch supplies process and business consulting, information technology, engineering, and project and construction management to the mining, metallurgical, energy and infrastructure industries.
Client Contact
Rashree Maharaj
Hatch Marketing and Communications Manager
Phone: 011 239 5300
Email: RMaharaj [at] hatch [dot] co [dot] za
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