From the very cool Low-tech Magazine, the Chinese wheelbarrow:
The Chinese wheelbarrow – which was driven by human labour, beasts of burden and wind power – was of a different design than its European counterpart. By placing a large wheel in the middle of the vehicle instead of a smaller wheel in front, one could easily carry three to six times as much weight than if using a European wheelbarrow.
Read the rest here. So who will be the first to make one of these with an old bicycle wheel?
Cool! If you can get a mini pallet, just cut out the middle board. Instant platform for the wheelbarrow. And I have an old bike or two, Hmmm.
You might also have to cut out a middle support piece depending on the size of the pallet.
I suggest you use a sawzall and cut the wood off the pallet rather than try to pull it apart. They use ribbed nails in them.
Hmm…I might just try that. I just came to the conclusion that a wheelbarrow is a must-have tool and I have a couple of spare bike wheels.
Neat-o!
Interesting. Wouldn’t work for a load of soil, say, and I’ve been known to mix concrete for post setting purposes in my wheelbarrow. Still for some loads, I can see that design being a boon.
Incidentally, I would also be interested in having my cheese delivered a wheelbarrow load at a time.
Loves me some cheese.
good find! I subscribe to that blog but somehow I missed that one!
sort of been done already:
http://www.extrawheel.com/
although not exactly for hand use.
I’m a little dubious about the 3-6x weight claim, but I withhold judgement till I can see and use one…