Human powered cargo hauling

[fud24682000]

Some time ago I saw a documentary on life in a large Chinese city. In it, a man rode a bike-powered rig that carried a huge load of fuel to a customer.
I want to be able to move stuff around my small level acreage with a lightweight cart that can carry 2-300 pounds and be easy to move. Also I would be interested in an adult trike to tow it with, but there would have to be some way to gear it down so that it could pull the cargo trailer without too much stress on my ancient legs (speed is not a priority, I need to go only several hundred feet per trip). I'm sure this technology must be available somewhere--any ideas?
Ray Mac.

[mangyhyena]

http://www.bikesatwork.com/bicycle-delivery-service/

Try that link out. I found it by typing bike trailer into google. Lots more sites came up. Do the google search and see if something more like you're talking about comes up. Good luck.

[tufhelp]

Since you mentioned your aging legs I thought you might consider something like the DR Powerwagon. Not human powered I know, but in the long run it might be the answer. They are having a sale right now, looks like about 20% off MSRP. Still a heft price point, but worth a look-see.

http://www.drpower.com/TwoStepCategory.aspx?p1Name=DRPowerHome&Name=Power wagon2Step&BC=0:Home&LinkType=2&src=IP00057

[fud24682000]

Thanks for the replies.
Mangyhyena, looks like a great site, but I don't have time to explore it properly right now. will have to do it later.
Tufhelp, that looks like a great rig, but price is high, and I do want to use leg power at a rate I can handle. I do have the DR 4-ton log splitter and it appears to be excellent quality. However I haven't used it because I couldn't get a clear idea of how to lube it, either from the manual or by phone.
Ray Mac

[Tightwad]

Check out Worksman cycles built in NYC. This company
has been building industrial cycles for over 100 yrs so
they know how to build really tough cycles.

I own a Worksman 3 speed PAV that I've installed a
Rubbermaid "action packer" on as a trunk. Works
out so well I can haul home 2 weeks (sometimes
more) worth of groceries no sweat. I use the PAV
in place of my truck for all errands in town saving
a bundle on gas and wear on my vehicles.

I rigged up a hitch on the back to tow my garden
wagon this summer with much success. Lot's
of yard work done with far fewer trips for tools
and supplies.

The cost of a Worksman is VERY reasonable when
you balance out the quality/toughness compared
to competing cycle brands. I'd buy my PAV again
in a heartbeat. A similar trike WILL cost you 3 times
more than a Worksman and not be as tough.

If you're interested please visit this main site as their
order site seems to be down just now. Also please
give them a call if you decide to place an order as they
really are good folk's to work with to get you a trike
deliver......to you front door.(!!!!) ;D ;D

www.worksman.com

The PAV is listed under "recreational cycles" but it's no
sissy trike. ;D ;D

[fud24682000]

Excellent site, thanks!
Ray Mac

[DavidOH]

www.worksman.com

Good job TW!
That's the first thing that came to mind.
They have many of them in the warehouse I worked in.
They'd haul 500 lbs. Rider and toolbox.

[libertylover]

like tight, I have a workman trike. Great
little human powered machine. A real
workhorse. It came with a trailer and
I pull it all around my property.

Take it camping and fishing. Gone as far
as 30 miles round trip. Can go with it
to primitive campsite where a car isn't
allowed. Drive it down to the bank when
I do my fishing.

It was used by an older lady for her
garden, bagging leaves for her compost,
and going to her chicken house.

[fud24682000]

Thanks again to all. However I should have been more precise.
It sounds like the workman trike essentially has "highway" (and paved road) gearing which would be too tall for what I need. I don't need to go 30 miles, or go fast.
I was thinking of adapting an adult trike by gearing it down to a crawl speed that I can handle & get exercise at the same time as I do useful work.
Ray Mac.

[Tightwad]

Thanks again to all. However I should have been more precise.
It sounds like the workman trike essentially has "highway" (and paved road) gearing which would be too tall for what I need. I don't need to go 30 miles, or go fast.
I was thinking of adapting an adult trike by gearing it down to a crawl speed that I can handle & get exercise at the same time as I do useful work.
Ray Mac.

WHOA!! Mate, the Worksman PAV comes with gearing that is
ment to pull a load. If you want fast buy another trike than
ANY Worksman 'cause fast they ain't.

The PAV can be equipped with a 3 speed hub (NEVER even consider
a single speed PAV unless you are super strong!) comes with a
23 tooth front sprocket or you can order the new 20 tooth sprocket
if you want. Both will put the 3speed down in the cellar for pulling
power with the 20t being the lowest. Worksman doesn't sell any
of their cycles with complicated easy to break derailleur systems.
Instead they rely on the well proven internal hub gearing. The
3 speed is almost unbreakable with minimum care.

The PAV is also what's called a "semi-recumbent" that is arm chair
comfortable in the way is sits. Full upright trikes are prone to
tipping where the PAV lowers the center of gravity more for stability.

I've been a cyclist for most of my life and can honestly share with
you that NOBODY makes a better work trike than Worksman.
Please don't let the modest cost of a PAV 3speed scare you off
because this is a case of an investment.........not an expense.
I've seen trikes that cost in the $3,000 range that are flimsy
compared to the Worksman. I kid you not.

P.S. I weight about 370 lbs now with the PAV in (as now equipped)
at about 70lbs (heavy for a trike) BUT I can easily pedal the PAV
FULLY LOADED & TOWING A GARDEN WAGON WITH MULCH BAGS
LOADED FULL ON tipping the scales at about 650lbs loaded in low
gear anywhere I want to go on my property. (3 speed hub w/23T
up front.) I won't get anywhere fast but it beats walking with all
the stuff I need for yard work. Heck, I even load up the old Troy
built tiller to take it to the garden!!

[DavidOH]

WHOA!! Mate, the Worksman PAV comes with gearing that is
ment to pull a load. If you want fast buy another trike than
ANY Worksman 'cause fast they ain't.



In the wharehouse workers would ride them up the ramp to get to the other levels. That's at least a 30 degree slope. So these trikes will go slow with a heavy load AND up hill! :o

[fud24682000]

OK, thanks again.
What I'm looking for is a DY project to gear down a more conventional bike or trike for my purposes.
I did some more searching and found this site that comes a little closer to what I'm looking for:
http://bikecart.pedalpeople.com
Ray Mac

[Tightwad]

OK, Here's some more sites to ponder over.......

http://www.xtracycle.com/

http://www.rhoadescar.com/lobby.htm

My favorite site after BHM......(EVERYTHING cycle)

www.bikeforums.net

[jim]

Have you considered a donkey? They can carry up to 300 lbs on their back, and pull a lot more in a cart. A cart can be built from scrap wood vor very little, and the donkey mows your grass too.
jim

[oldnndway]

Not only mows your grass but fertilizes it too !

[Koolibri_Rantso]

Kaubaveo - jalgratas "Bicycle goods wagon":

http://www.eag.unicweb.ee/Rattad/jrkaubaedda38.jpg

http://www.eag.unicweb.ee/Rattad/jrkaubavoldlaanberg39.jpg

The D.I.Y. version here:

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Homesteading_and_Self_Reliance/1974_September_October/Light_Hauling_On_The_Streets_of_Laredo

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Alternative_Energy/1977_January_February/More_on_the_Mexican_Pickup

[Tightwad]

Trikes such as these are built by "Worksman"
in the U.S.A. for sale worldwide.

[wy0mn]

I wonder if you can buy the gear clusters & stuff from RhodesCar? Have you seen their site? www.rhodescar.com

[Tightwad]

I wonder if you can buy the gear clusters & stuff from RhodesCar? Have you seen their site? www.rhodescar.com

The Rhoades car is a very special purpose cycle that due to quality
issues isn't as good as it could be. All of the gearing components
are off the shelf items that you can buy online. This thread will
share one owners viewpoint on this cycle............

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=215783&highlight=rhoades+car

[JAK]

Shetland ponies are supposed to be very good at hauling heavy loads, and are very efficient grazers. Humans can do an aweful lot of work in a day, but we are designed more for endurance than brute force. A bicycle doesn't really add any hauling power over a hand cart, unless you have paved roads. You could add a small electric hub motor however. They are especially good at low speeds. The weight of the batteries would give you added traction. The energy cost of an extra 400w for even 2.5 hours a day is only 1 kwh. Humans can put out about 100w for 10 hours, 200w if you are in good shape, so a small hub motor can make the difference.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-ajS_LuI1Y
http://www.largoscooters.com/go-hubetrike.html
http://www.electric-bikes.com/bikes/kits.html#Falcon%20EV