Kuhnle Single Shafts

[Dynamic_Equine]

Anyone have experience changing the older style Kuhnle single shaft (the ones that are one continuous u shaped shaft) over to two individual closed end shafts.

We have an older Kuhnle and it has the one piece u shaped shafts. The shafts are heavy and they are actually to long for the horse I am driving. Instead of trying to cut the shafts I want to try to have two individual shafts made- By a professional of course. The carriage is set up for single or pair so I don’t think it would be a problem since there is already a spot to hook the two shafts. Just wondering if anyone else had made the changes.

[CDE_Driver]

Yes, I have, with my Glinkowski.

[Dynamic_Equine]

Do you have any tips for making the switch? If possible could you send me some pictures. AEM4363@yahoo.com I am thinking about taking it to someone and having the closed loop marathon shafts built but I want the good and bad before spending the money or making mistakes.
Thanks

[49_er]

Where are you? You could maybe go to Martin’s Spring Sale and find shafts there.

[goodhors]

Single shafts are not much lighter than the one-piece shafts. They are made heavy to withstand the stresses on them.

Guess we need photos of how your shafts connect to the vehicle right now. What can be done will depend on what you have to work with on the front of your vehicle now.

Our Warco had shafts come with it, single piece tubing around the rear, with inserted fronts which allowed GREAT adjustment latitude. Pole for the Pair fit into the same brackets. This is a spring loaded pole.

We never used the shafts, so when we had another vehicle to sell, we fit the shafts onto it, for single or Pair use. Purchaser was quite happy with the shafts and pole choice to use.

We have independent shafts on two other vehicles, one long set and one sort set of shafts. Each is nice in it’s own way, but not put on the same way.

[butlerfamilyzoo]

I dont think your independent shafts will be any lighter either. Maybe slightly more convenient when hitching, and like you say, you have to alter your current ones as it is since they are too long.

But my older kuhnle has independent shafts and they are the heaviest suckers, really took me off guard at how heavy they are!

I cant really comment on how to change them out. I can take pics of how my Kuhnle’s shafts are put on, but i’m thinking for your case you might need a welder to fabricate the bracket/pin piece the shafts attach to, but that’s just my thoughts not having seen pics of your carriage.

[Dynamic_Equine]

I am not looking for the shafts to be lighter. The shafts don’t fit the horse. They are to long. I don’t want to cut the single shaft because it does fit other horses we drive this with carriage. It would be nice to have the closed shaft loops also.

[CDE_Driver]

Sent you a PM