Horse-Powered Merry-Go-Round

Horse-Powered Merry-Go-Round AG WORLD Ag World 19-1-19 "Two people can set it up and run it," says Steve Haupt, a San Joaquin Valley vegetable grower and horse breeder, who de-signed and built his own horse-drawn merry-go-round. Haupt built it to create another source of income when his wife decided to quit her off-farm job. The entire project took about four months. He had it nearly complete in time for last year's fair season in California. Key to success of Haupt's design is the merry-go-round's center pole. It's a 10-in. dia. pipe 14 ft. tall that weighs over 1,000 lbs. Attached to the center pole at 7 ft. above ground are 10 15-ft. long arms to which porch type swings attach. The swings each hold two adults or three children. Six I-beams weighing 400 lbs. apiece attach to poles mounted at the end of each. I-beams extend up 9 ft. and are fitted with steel cables that support the merry-go-round's canvass top. A wooden platform covers the I-beams. Power for the merry-go-round is supplied by one of the Haupts' quarter horses that walks on the platform. The hardest part of building the oneof-a-kind amusement ride was making it so two people could set it up, Haupt says. To speed up the process, which takes a day and a half, Haupt designed a winch and pulley that mounts on the back of the truck he uses to haul the merry-go-round. The system helps lift and pull components into place. Haupt charges $2 per person for a 3 1/ 2 to 4 minute ride. He says its appeal is not just limited to kids. "People are thrilled, especially kids' parents who can ride with their children," he says. "I think parents and senior citizens enjoy it as much as the kids do." Haupt says he and his wife are hoping for a busy fair season this year and are willing to accept any reasonable invitation. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Steve Haupt, Haupt's Valley Farm, 459 N. Fordham, Fresno, Calif. 93727-3539 (ph 209-255-7120).

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