Started a new project today!

[WoodPorn]

I'm sick (to death) of taking my life in my hands every time I take the wheelbarrow to the wood pile for a few days supply. Snow, ICE, up hill....
So I had an idea last year and just got around to starting it. A gas powered wheelbarrow! I traded a few thing that I made on the lathe for the tractor end of an Ariens 9/36 snow brush, I had some scrap steel at work that I had saved and bought 2 swivel casters from Harbor Freight for $24.00.
I plan on making the "bucket" out of wood, 2w x 2h x 4l or 1/8 of a cord.

 

[Beardog]

That's going to be pretty sweet!

 

[Shari]

Looks similiar to mine:

Got the idea from someone else here on hearth.com.

 

[WoodPorn]

Nice Shari,
How does it work as far as traction, and steering? I'm no engineer....and I had no plan, kinda flying by the seat of my pants!

 

[Shari]

Actually, the picture I posted was the first load. Since then I put uprights on either end of the flat cargo area as the wood tended to vibrate off the end or back onto the motor. Steering is a dog to say the least but can be accomplished if you allow for wide turns. All in all it's not a bad hauler. I've got 5 forward gears and 2 reverse so it can really 'go' if you want it to. Yours looks much nicer than mine but then again I don't weld - mine is bolted together. This summer I took of off the end upright and put our Otter sled on it and hauled dirt around the yard.

 

[raybonz]

I'm sick (to death) of taking my life in my hands every time I take the wheelbarrow to the wood pile for a few days supply. Snow, ICE, up hill....
So I had an idea last year and just got around to starting it. A gas powered wheelbarrow! I traded a few thing that I made on the lathe for the tractor end of an Ariens 9/36 snow brush, I had some scrap steel at work that I had saved and bought 2 swivel casters from Harbor Freight for $24.00.
I plan on making the "bucket" out of wood, 2w x 2h x 4l or 1/8 of a cord.

That's gonna make your life easier.. Both Shari and you have the same idea.. I think if you made the front axle so it would pivot or make the power end pivot you could then add steering making it easier to navigate.. I would imagine with 400-500 lbs. up front making a turn would require some serious force so steering with stops to prevent oversteer would work well.. Just my opinion as I like what the both of you have done! Now I want one lol especially when it gets muddy cuz it's really hard to pull a full wagon through soft ground!

Ray

 

[Shari]

I should add for anyone looking at this design - you do have to add enough structural weight to the cargo area to counter balance the weight of the power end otherwise the whole thing will just tip over backwards. And, yes, without a load in the cargo area I can 'pop a wheelie' in high gear.

 

[raybonz]

I should add for anyone looking at this design - you do have to add enough structural weight to the cargo area to counter balance the weight of the power end otherwise the whole thing will just tip over backwards. And, yes, without a load in the cargo area I can 'pop a wheelie' in high gear.

Nothing like burning rubber in the back yard eh Shari? lol.. A motorhead's dream come true!

Ray

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Looks good. Have you also seen one that a fellow made from a riding lawn mower? Should work fine. If I had a hill to go up for sure I'd want some power other than my own feeble body.

 

[Shari]

Looks good. Have you also seen one that a fellow made from a riding lawn mower? Should work fine. If I had a hill to go up for sure I'd want some power other than my own feeble body.

No, I haven't seen it BS. Got a link? Always interested in 'toys'.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

I'll see if I can find it. Not sure if it was on hearth.com or not though.

 

[PapaDave]

Great idea.
Here's another, put a wheeled platform on the back to stand on. That would act like wheelie bars and let you ride along with the wood.

 

[Shari]

Great idea.
Here's another, put a wheeled platform on the back to stand on. That would act like wheelie bars and let you ride along with the wood.

Now, for those of us with hip issues , that would be wonderful. You would still have to work on some type of improved steering though.

PS According to my hips & back today's weather will be 'wet'.

 

[Shari]

PS Did you go with hard rubber front casters or pneumatic? I put pneumatic on mine figuring they would handle running on the lawn better than hard rubber. Yes, I have popped the bead with a load on trying to make a very tight turn.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Geeze Shari. Sounds like our bodies are wearing out the same way. lol

Not sure where I saw that picture. I've looked in several spots but so far have not found it. Will keep trying though.

 

[raybonz]

Geeze Shari. Sounds like our bodies are wearing out the same way. lol

Not sure where I saw that picture. I've looked in several spots but so far have not found it. Will keep trying though.

Hi Dennis how's the hip healing? I bet you're back to your old self in no time!

Ray

 

[Shari]

Alternately, you could use your snowblower/power base to pull a sled like this filled with wood:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1EMSJ4R59EPTRW6Q90HG

 

[WoodPorn]

Here it is with the flat bed attached for moving bags of pellets, I'm in the process of making removable racks for the wood.

PS Shari, the tires are pneumatic

 

[WoodPorn]

Here it is in all of it's un-engineered glory! I threw on 6 bags of ice melt (I'm stuck at work), 300# and it seems to steer fairly easily.

 

[raybonz]

Here it is in all of it's un-engineered glory! I threw on 6 bags of ice melt (I'm stuck at work), 300# and it seems to steer fairly easily.

Looks great good work! Now I want one

Ray