From the Crew at Con2R
The project started when one of my crew came into the office towing a very cool Radio Flyer wagon that had been dropped and set up with a straight axle up front.
As we were going back and forth on the whys and why-nots to give it a motor the landscaper for our building parked his big wheelbarrow on the sidewalk outside our front door. Sun, moon and stars must have all been a strange alignment as I glanced at it and saw a bucket-t looking back at me. A few hours later we had a bona fide ACE Hardware wheelbarrow sitting on the shop floor with our crew circled around it while I shared my concept with them. At time I think the best description of their collective reaction was dubious.
As we worked on it on a strictly time available basis without a hard completion deadline our ideas had plenty of time to mature and we had the luxury of digging extra deep into the corners to find components. For example the radiator shell is an old space heater I found on ebay as was the just-right fuel tank in the bed. Gary Kintz took the lead on fabricating and getting the components to line up and everyone else pitched in to help with getting the look right.
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Dropped front axle – started life as a sway bar
- Wheels and tires – BMX spoked wheels w/custom hubs
- Grill shell and fan – Arvin Electric Company
- Engine: 50 cc Honda clone with 3 speed “auto” tranny
- Frame: By CON2R
- Body: ACE Hardware
- Drivetrain: Two-stage chain drive
- Pickup box with “embossed” tailgate: By CON2R
- Seat: Repurposed forklift seat
- Brake: Hydraulic disc on rear axle
- Differential: Northern Hydraulics
- Miscellaneous parts, components, bits and pieces from all over the place
The Whee-Tee Challenge:
Body must be a stock wheelbarrow but it does not have to be new.
The wheelbarrow can be modified for mounting and drive train considerations but it must keep its original shape. Metal working a wheelbarrow beyond recognition is not the goal of this challenge.
Power needs to be provided by a single cylinder gas engine. Finding the person who can put the biggest possible motor in front of a wheelbarrow is not the goal of this challenge.
Maximum overall outside dimensions for any part or piece of the WheeTee cannot exceed 48” wide X 72” long X 42” high . Putting a wheelbarrow on a large frame is not the goal of this challenge.
A functional and adequate brake system is required. Foot and/or stick dragging are not considered adequate brake systems.
Everything else is optional and up to the builder to determine. If you have an idea for a build that lives up to the spirit of the challenge but does not meet the guidelines you are invited to submit it for consideration – or build it and make your case for inclusion based on the creativity and skill you show with your build.
Prizes at this time are limited to recognition and pride – and a heck of a lot of fun driving it if you build one.