The unit shown, a prototype that works just fine, costs about than $20 in materials to make. If you want more info on how to make one, contact me at f.abernathy@att.net and I'll be happy to show you how to build one, or for a small fee will build one for you.
Please note that because adjustments are almost always required, it is best if you can find someone at your locale to construct one for you.
I have included some pictures of the original 'Swivel Box' This is the one used by 'Swivel' up until his passing a few months after he got it. The friend I made if for gave it back to me, so that I could keep it as the first. This unit was made out of one of those inexpensive plastic storage boxes you might find at a discount store. It is approximately 12" long x 6" wide by about 4" high. I recommend stainless steel fasteners as they will not corrode due to the pet 'fouling' the box. Cleanup will be much easier and it will stay cleaner. I cut out one end to allow the front legs to extend out of the box and provide the ability for the cat to pull itself along with the front legs. Toward that end you will notice some velcro black spots; these were used to strap the cat in at the front to keep him from pulling out of the box. Charles and Anne had made a custom harness for 'Swivel' to hold him in; you should be able to do something similar for Kisha. The 3-point rollers were basically a small planting pot roller set I purchased at our local hardware store for about $6. You'll notice that I drilled holes in the bottom of the 'shoe box' to allow for moving the rollers to the appropriate center of gravity for 'Swivel', this will vary from animal to animal. Since Kisha is much bigger, you'll need an appropriate sized box, with padding, we used old towels; easily washable when they are soiled. Also, install padding around any openings; we let the towels extend slightly past the cutout opening at the front end. Swivel used this indoors on a hardwood floor, it bogged down quite a bit on carpet. A set of casters with larger (wider) rollers or wheels could possibly overcome that issue. Since Kisha has more vertical clearance between the belly and floor, I'd recommend getting some pretty good sized wheels, something like a small kids bicycle wheels; you'll want the axle hole in the wheel to be slightly higher off the ground than Kisha's belly. Just put a hole on both sides of the box at the back, slip an axle, 'all thread' would work well as you could put the appropriate washers and nuts anywhere on there to make the wheels mount properly. For the front wheels, some nice single wheel swivel casters should do, again the total height of the bottom of the box to the ground should be about Kisha's normal belly to ground distance. You might want to put a piece of 1/4 inch plywood on the bottom side of the box for extra support; bolt and nut it in each corner and one in the middle of the box; round smooth end of bolts towards Kisha's belly, nut and washer pointing down to ground, trim as necessary. Kisha's front legs should extend comfortably past the cutout in the front. Get a box big enough so that Kisha can make 'mistakes' in the box, if necessary. This basic design assumes Kisha can have her hind legs folded up under, as if she were laying/sitting upright on the ground. The big wheels in the back should extend far enough from the back sides of the box to ensure that the box is stable and does not roll over easily. Use 'all thread' that will extend a good 6 inches past what you think you need along with some extra washers and nuts to reposition the wheels to the appropriate location to acheive the 'roll over' protection needed. Experiment with this axle width and adujst and trim as necessary. Get one of those dog harnesses to put on Kisha and configure some straps such that she can't pull herself out of the box if it should slightly drag or bind on something outside. Let me know how it goes, and good luck with it! I hope these comments, instructions and diagrams are helpful. If you are not able to print the images, let me know your us mail address and I'll forward them to you. Thanks, and please keep me posted on progress, results and any questions!
