Powered wheel barrow

[darkmunk]

Hi folks!
Newbie, starting from scratch, so bare with me
Dad turns 80 soon and just for a bit of fun, I want to help him round the garden, as opposed to dragging him at 15mph into a tree.
I'm looking at a wheelchair motor driving though some sort of sliding dog into the wheel. Could use a chain and freewheeling cog, but I think disengaging the drive would be easier and help keep the weight over the wheel.
Do you think I'm on the right track with the motor? They seem to be cheaper than golf trolley motors and presumable a little more powerful?
I understand I'll need a controller etc. Any hot tips would be gratefully accepted.
OH, btw, once I've got the hang of motors, the boy's cart is next...

 

[itsid]

there are pre tuned electric wheelbarrow kits for sale.

they typically have a 300-500W (some 800W) HUBmotor (precisely it's a Rim, but still called hub motor), that just replaces the Wheel, a small cage for the batteries and a thumbthrottle to control the speed at the handle.

personally, I think that's what you'd want for your dad, since it's almost failsafe no additional moving parts to get pinched by,
and it's undoable in case your dad doesn't like it in the end

'sid

[EDIT]
an example:
http://sell.lulusoso.com/selling-leads/714445/Electric-Wheelbarrow-Conversion-Kits-36v-300w-.html

 

[landuse]

there are pre tuned electric wheelbarrow kits for sale.

they typically have a 300-500W (some 800W) HUBmotor (precisely it's a Rim, but still called hub motor), that just replaces the Wheel, a small cage for the batteries and a thumbthrottle to control the speed at the handle.

personally, I think that's what you'd want for your dad, since it's almost failsafe no additional moving parts to get pinched by,
and it's undoable in case your dad doesn't like it in the end

'sid

[EDIT]
an example:
http://sell.lulusoso.com/selling-leads/714445/Electric-Wheelbarrow-Conversion-Kits-36v-300w-.html

Those kits are cool!!

 

[darkmunk]

Thanks guys. Not quite the response I was expecting on a DIY forum but useful anyway.
Those kits do look neat.

 

[landuse]

Thanks guys. Not quite the response I was expecting on a DIY forum but useful anyway.
Those kits do look neat.

I think that the suggestion was just thrown out there as an alternative to actually building something

 

[itsid]

Thanks guys. Not quite the response I was expecting on a DIY forum but useful anyway.
Those kits do look neat.

Yes, you're right.. it's not..

the thing is, a wheelbarrow is typically very slow (4 mph) and you'd want it to be as safe as possible...
(no open terminals, more or less splash proof, no pinching moving parts etc.pp.)

And while that is possible in a DIY manner, that'd still mean you should
buy a hub motor geared for the speed you want (4mph) a matching controller and throttle
since those things you cannot just DIY

.. okay that's a lie.. you CAN build a throttle yourself and a controller, maybe even a internal geared hub motor.. but it's CHEAPER to buy those ...

you might as well buy them in a kit with a container for the batteries

if you insist on DIY let us know.. I'm sure we can make that happen as well

'sid

 

[drm]

how about a diy something like an airplane tug?
https://www.redlineaviation.com/cessna/sidewinder-single-engine/

24V drill parts?

 

[darkmunk]

Thanks guys.
Still looking for a cheap motor; they are all being snapped up by robo-heads for their robots
Looking like the easiest/cheapest in the long run method is find a badly listed wheelchair complete. I think if the wheel is driven, it doesn't need to be a typical wheelbarrow wheel, because it will pull itself over obstacles, so an 18" bmx wheel or two small wheelchair wheels could also work.
I contacted the Chinese manufacturer of the WB kits, but they haven't got back....

 

[darkmunk]

Ok, well this is all done now; just needs painting
I'll get some pictures up soon. I went for a wheelchair pusher motor slung under the barrow driving through a chain and freewheel cog, so the barrow can still be pushed normally. Just hit the turbo button to climb hills or up into skips
I may weld up the cog and fit a polarity switch to give me reverse, but then it will be totally electric which feels a bit weird for a barrow. Would probably need rear trolley wheels so it is more of a tipping cart.
Now onto the go-kart....

 

[2SlickNick]

 

[jmills]

When my father had surgery for testicular cancer, for months he couldn't use his wheel barrow to get firewood from the wood pile, he heats his home with wood so this was a problem. I took a few design ques from industrial carts costing thousands but using the same powertrain and built what has been nicknamed "the supercart". Got a used mobility scooter off of craigslist for $50 with dead batts and made a 2 x 4' frame with 1'' square tube, screwed down some scrap aluminum decking, bolted a U made from the same tubing and welded the existing handle bars and motor frame to it. Batteries were surplus 20ah medical back ups off craigs, those, charger and motor controller are mounted in a shortened scrap electrical panel box that we replaced. harbor freight wheels and caster wheels in the rear. The scooter was made to haul a 350lb human all day, it spins on a dime and easily hauls everything from refrigerators to cinder blocks, its a big hit with the neighbors and they are constantly asking to use it, I have even pushed dead cars only limited by traction. The original on off controls have been replaced with switches and the max speed pot mounted in a weather proof box, the circuit board got ruined after being left out in the rain a few times. 18v led flashlight hosed clamped and wired off the 24v battery pack for night haulings. For ease of charging I mounted a cheapo retractable work light rear and swapped the plug end and put a female on the other, pull up to an outlet and yank it out, when done charging, tug it and it sucks it back in. Hopefully this helps someone, help someone else

 

[Poboy kartman]

See how much nicer it is with pictures? ????^

Btw....jmills..... to the forum.....

 

[darkmunk]

Here you go - an image.
It's currently set to freewheel, so it can be pushed normally.
I will weld up the cog, add a couple of large casters and put in a polarity switch for reverse. Then it will behave like a a small trailer that can be lifted and tipped.

It's just a bit of fun

 

[jeeperjoel]

nice! that's really cool! ... now if you put casters on the back you could ride that thing!

 

[Denny]

I my self would have went with a 670 predator engine, 40 series comet clutches and a couple of jackshafts just to slow it all down.


But your way is ok too, I guess.

Denny

 

[Poboy kartman]

I my self would have went with a 670 predator engine, 40 series comet clutches and a couple of jackshafts just to slow it all down.


But your way is ok too, I guess.

Denny

Uh huh.....and Halfbreeder would too....but he would be gearing it to go 60mph!!!!!!

 

[jmills]

I my self would have went with a 670 predator engine, 40 series comet clutches and a couple of jackshafts just to slow it all down.


But your way is ok too, I guess.

Denny

This you right here?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN4tKo74Svc

 

[jmills]

Here you go - an image.
It's currently set to freewheel, so it can be pushed normally.
I will weld up the cog, add a couple of large casters and put in a polarity switch for reverse. Then it will behave like a a small trailer that can be lifted and tipped.

It's just a bit of fun

Thats pretty sick

 

[Denny]

That is way cool but to slow. I would also be wearing a shirt for P.P.E. reasons and to hide my man boobs!

Denny