People powered mobility & getting work done
In the spirit of the Bill’s post about latent bicycle mechanic potential in Traverse City, here is more innovative potential–the dual multi-purpose bicycle.
The promoter of this machine is touting it as a tool for the poor, but why stop there?
What could we, the rich of the north, use this type of set-up for? In addition to the demonstrated woodworking, what about leaf shredding?
What use do you see?
(That’s a direct ask to all of you, but particular to Brad at the Institute of Institute for Sustainable Living, Art & Natural Design…Brad? )
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The youtube description says anything that requires less than 1/2 hp, but I’d bet you could do more. Any engineers know how to convert pedal power to hp?
Also, does that chain run to the flywheel all the time? Looks a little dangerous – perhaps we could mod a version that’s detachable?
We should definitely make a workshop out of this. Any volunteers?
A short list of other uses: compost sifter, auger, seed cleaner, corn sheller, grain mill, mixer, blender, seed-ball maker, cement mixer, straw/clay mixer, recycled paper maker, washing machine, water pump, coffee grinder, juicer, all sorts of woodworking tools, chipper/shredder too, right?
Brad
Wanted: Engineer who can rig this up. One more Brad, homemade ice cream crank-er…might be a little fast. I like the auger idea & cement mixer.
The Peace Coffee kids in Minneapolis have this Pedal powered grinder that they take on tour and also use as a blender. Yum!
I bet us regular folks can do this. It could help to have someone with welding skills, but we can probably cut parts with an angle grinder and some metal cutting bits. Do we have a bike we can use to experiment with?
I wonder about gearing – the website says you can get up to 800rpm. I wonder about gearing it way down to use as a boat lift or winch for other slow and steady heavy lifting projects.
Some more uses: Grinder for sharpening tools in the field. Butter churn, pottery wheel, cider press, log splitter and of course a pedal powered motor boat.
And, as seen at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show, the Pedal Powered Lawn Mower!