BUILDING YOUR OWN HANDCART


Over the years many people have contacted us about how to build a handcart. Many want to build handcarts so that they can have treks in their own area of the world. Others would like to test there skill against that of the pioneers and others would just like to have a piece of history.

We have had a significant number of inquires wanting to know if the design that we have listed was the original handcart design. We have provided the original plans for those who want to recreate the old timer as well as a more modern version. We have seen an evolution in handcart construction here in Wyoming. In our first attempt at building handcarts for a twenty-five mile trek, some of the handcarts were lashed together with bailing twine, and some of the wheels looked like they came out of Fred Flintstone's backyard. Some of the first treks left a handcart abandoned about every mile and a half along the trail. It wasn't an easy journey. But now we have a time and trek tested design. Unlike the Iowa design of 1856, we recommend bearings and a few other things that technology has given us. We have provided a list of materials, and drawings in several formats. We hope you have fun.

We have been fortunate enough to contact Steven Pratt, who with his family owns Pratt Wagon Works in Cove Fort, Utah. Mr. Pratt has documented research on the original handcart design. He has been kind enough to allow us to share with you, all of his information, including history and design. We would like to thank the Pratt family for providing this information. We would encourage all to read the information that Steve has provided.

List of Materials
Any sound wood will work to build a handcart, but they will last much longer and require less maintenance if you will build them out of a soft maple, wormy maple, or other inexpensive hardwood, which has been kiln dried.

You will need the following:

  •  Two Wheels, 44" or 48" in diameter. Approximately cost $70.00 each plus shipping. They can be purchased through:

         Witmer Coach Shop at
                1070 West Main Street, New Holland, PA 17557

          Miller Carriage Company
                3035 N. 850 W., Shipshewana, IN 46565
  •  One axle from the above, or other suppliers. It should be a 1" or 1 1/8" axle with roller bearings.
         Standard length is 64" long. These cost approximately $40.00 each plus shipping
  • 12 2x2" posts cut 13 1/2" long
  •  6 rails 3/4" by 2" cut 48" long
  •  6 rails 3/4" by 2" cut 46 1/2" long
  •  4 supports 2" by 2" cut 46 1/2 long
  • 13 floor boards 3 1/2" by 3/4" cut 46 1/2" long
  •  2 draw bars 2" by 3" cut 89" long
  • 1 cross bar 2" by 2" cut 72" long
  • 1 axle support 5 1/2" by 3/4" cut 46 1/2" long
  • 2" screws, glue, and assorted carriage bolts
Plans for Handcart Construction
AutoCAD R13/AutoCAD LT95 or newer- download the AutoCAD DWG Format
Adobe Acrobat 3.0 or newer- download the Adobe PDF Format
Adobe Acrobat Reader can be downloaded here.

The first two selections offer a much higher quality image, however if you don't have either program, you can view the blueprints in your browser You will need to see all four files. Just use your browser's "Back" button to get back here.
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    Perspective
Original 1856 Handcart Design
You will need to download all files below. These files are relatively small and should download quickly.

Information on this page is copyright (c) 1989 by Steven Pratt of Pratt Wagon Works.

Pratt Wagon Works
Cove Fort
Beaver, UT
(435) 438-1024