DIY Electric Tractor and Dump Trike!

[Radical Brad]

This will be DIY Plan Number Two for 2019.



More details will be posted in the NewsLetter I plan to get out in the next few days.
To subscribe, just visit this page, and scroll to the bottom...

https://www.atomiczombie.com/plans/

Originally, this was going to be powered by a snowblower engine, and then I was considering Human power, but now it is electric.
Charge your battery with solar, and then move a ton of anything around your yard!
Will include 4 foot by 4 foot dumping box, 3 point hitch, implements and much more.

Build it from any old car or truck differential and some other easy to find scrap!

Cheers!
Brad

 

[Radical Brad]

For those curious about the power available...



For comparison, a 500 watt bicycle hub-motor can easily propel you up to the city speed limit.
This motor has 40 times that much power available!
Now multiply that power by 30, as this is the final gear reduction.

With a 1 ton load of gravel in the dump box, I would assume this thing could probably out pull an actual pickup truck easily.
The motor is also highly efficient, so the 40 watt solar charger should be able to keep the 2 batteries topped up.

That's it for now, got to get back out and keep building, almost have the motor installed now.
My next write-up will be in the Newsletter, subscribe at the bottom of this page for more!

https://www.atomiczombie.com/plans/

Cheers,
Brad

 

[Radical Brad]

Here is the Yard Mule Blog...

https://www.atomiczombie.com/the-yard-mule/

I will be updating this until I am done and then this will be made into a DIY Plan.
So far the project is coming along very nicely. The motor should go in next week!

Brad

 

[edspedalcars]

This will be quite the tool,
this thing called a "yard mule".

I just love how you get cracking,
and just start whacking, hacking, and tacking,
all the while an explanation, is never lacking.

 

[Radical Brad]

Moving dirt from here to there,
makes my back pain start to flair.

I need a Mule to take the load,
to drag a tree on down the road.
Move a rock across the yard,
My chores become so much less hard.

Thanks for the comment, and the rhyme,
I must now go, it's welding time!

Brad in The Hat

 

[FrankCrank]

You may think you need a yard mule,
And in the picture it looks cool.
But I suggest a donkey,
A good one - not wonky.
Then you can be sure,
Of plenty of manure.
You'll grow lots of veggies,
And your back will be well pleased.

 

[vk3ckc]

A yard mule you say,
For carting gravel, chickens, or hay?
You'll never rest, until you've done your best,
Why? Because you're just built that way.

How far will you go?
You're the only one to know,
Why not leave the ground and fly?
Give it a go, give it a try.

Build whatever you desire,
Keep on going, don't ever tire,
Build your best to stand the test
Raise the bar higher and higher.

So many designs for us to treasure,
Retirement memories we all will treasure,
Your legacy will do us proud,
Three hurrahs, all yelled out loud.

I'm not a poet
And now all will know it,
I'll return to building trikes
From bits and pieces from repurposed old bikes.

 

[The Cat]

Before Atomic Zombie I found this website and did have the plans for the urban trike, but some person decided to remove them to the rubbish. https://rqriley.com/product/urba-trike/ and https://rqriley.com/product/ground-hugger-plans/ the recumbent was in the Magazine of which I had a copy long gone now.
Maybe another zombie member(s) might be interested in viewing the site so I presented here.

 

[Radical Brad]

RQ has been around for a long time. I remember looking at the electric car plans in an old 1970's copy of Popular Mechanics!
It would need some updating though, as it uses a series wound airplane starter motor for power and very old controller tech.

You could replace that giant forklift battery bank with some newer lithium and add a brushless 3 phase to make it "current".
Keep the retro style though, it looks cool again!

Brad

 

[Radical Brad]

Yard Mule Spins Up!

Battery bank and 300 amp controller get installed next.
Soon I will be riding up the hill rather than walking.

Brad

 

[Radical Brad]

Updated the Blog. Latest pages here...

https://www.atomiczombie.com/the-yard-mule-page-4/

Brad

 

[willym]

really looking forward to the load test on this beast. You might want to consider changing the diff oil to a really light weight hypoid oil to reduce drag losses - especially for winter use (when you installed a snow blade on the rear!)

 

[Radical Brad]

Good idea, thanks.
I do have to pull the axles anyhow to remove the drum brake plates since I no longer need them.
At that time, the diff. gets a total cleanup and new oil, so I will look into your recommendation.
I need only a few more hours of time to get it ready for a ride test, but farm chores have taken me for now!

Brad

really looking forward to the load test on this beast. You might want to consider changing the diff oil to a really light weight hypoid oil to reduce drag losses - especially for winter use (when you installed a snow blade on the rear!)

 

[Radical Brad]

I made some progress today, but was side tracked by my need to make a 5 mile run to the neighbor's place and back.
I mean, how could I not? The folks out here think I am the Mad Max of Rednecks!

I ran the trike up massive hills, though a bog, and over all kinds of rough terrain.
It ran like a tank, just as planned!

Will update the blog soon.
The dump box gets made next, now that I know this project will be a success.

Brad

 

[edspedalcars]

Just how fast/slow do you think it's going?

Put some tractor tires on the beast, and there's nothing it can't handle.
Also interested in the snow plow idea.
Maybe with a (GANNON) and an electric lift (linear actuator) or a chain driven PTO , from the installed power unit. ??????????
I used one on my Craftsman garden tractor GANNON, and then switched it to hoist my front blade)

Just had this thought. Make the seat so it will swivel 180 degrees,
and it can be driven backward and steered from the back, for plow use..or?

 

[willym]

Great looking ride with a nice turning circle. Now load this baby up!

 

[Radical Brad]

Thanks!

I assume it is going at the exact speed I calculated, which is 4.7 miles per hour. Seems about right when I was walking along side it.
The main job this beast will do is moving bucked up trees this year, since all my firewood is far from the house.
Going to make the dump box next, using a 3" angle (1/4" thick) and then 3/4" treated ply on the sides.
Also adding a 3 point hitch and other places to attach items such as a side plow for snow (grater style).

Oh yeah, I just realized it even has reverse! There was a spare pin on the motor controller labelled half speed reverse.
That should help sneak in and out of tight spaces.

Will be updating the blog today since it is raining now.
Brad

 

[Radical Brad]

Updated the blog tonight...

https://www.atomiczombie.com/blogs/

Brad

 

[Radical Brad]

Dump box and hinges added...



The carrying volume is 4 x 4 x 2 feet, or 32 cubic feet.
The load is set 60% over the axle so that it does not self tip, but can be easily dumped by hand.
A retractable dump handle will allow leveraging . dumping of the load.

The sides will be filled in with 3/4" treated and painted plywood.
After the sides are done, I will take everything apart for cleaning, new bolts, then paint.

Soon this beast will be doing my bidding around the yard, and I will be spared the sore back.
Blog will be updated when I have time.

Cheers,
Brad

 

[stormbird]

Before Atomic Zombie I found this website and did have the plans for the urban trike, but some person decided to remove them to the rubbish. https://rqriley.com/product/urba-trike/ and https://rqriley.com/product/ground-hugger-plans/ the recumbent was in the Magazine of which I had a copy long gone now.
Maybe another zombie member(s) might be interested in viewing the site so I presented here.

I bought the Trimuter plans in 2007 never built one , rather wished I had bought the Tri-Magnum instead and nearly bought the Vortex plans http://www.vortexplans.com/

What really lit my fire was this beauty :- http://www.3wheelers.com/vigilante.html

and finally this madness ....

wish he would keep off the cycle lanes !!!

sadly now out of business

so sad we cannot drive these interesting cars ?