Power wheel barrow

[cmyoung2]

Just finished my version of Old Mech's power wheel barrow. his insights and ideas were priceless, big thanks. My tractor is a BCS 725 with 8 hp Kolher magnum. Used an old barrow tub, picked up about 20 years ago, been though at least two sets of handles and wheels, just couldn't let it go. Dump tub is removeable, will build a rack to haul wood later. the heavy frame is 2" square tubing, under the tub is 1" tubing. The axles and hinges for dump are old shock rods. King pins are 1", greaseable. Wheel camber is about 6". Turns good, very light frontend when empty. Moved a bunch of mulch today, worked great.

 

[groundcover]

Outstanding ! That will sure give the DR. A run for the money !

 

[looknlearn]

Look's great. Does it seem tippy on hills or is the stance wide enough to feel stable? It looks up kinda high but I see why, to allow the barrow the dump.

 

[cmyoung2]

RIght now the quick hitch allows too much rotation, so yes it will turn over, but just the tub. I will be welding on some "anti-tilt" stops today, and I think the weight of the tractor will keep it down. The barrow seems high, but I'm not smart enough to get everything to work and it be lower. You are right, it is that high to dump and for the wheels to swivel. I'l let you know how well it works on steep ground shortly. I've got plenty of that to try.

 

[oldmech]

Hi! Congratulation! Very good job. You have make a fine frame. I use mine a lot last year. I think I move or haul more 30-40 tons of material. Empty go better in reverse. For hill I must go square front hill NOT with any angles . I Go or Dump on side one time . With no dommage! I learn! I can Go square Easy front hill with a full load (near 400lbs more than the tractor) on 30 degres step hill. Load transfert by engine torque is impressive! AT first begin with light load. Be careful . Good luck ! Oldmech

 

[cmyoung2]

Fixed the hitch rotation. Old Mech is right, common sense says go straight up the hill. Straight down can be fun with a load. I think I will like it a lot, wife even thinks it's a good idea Just broght a load of firewood off the hill, about a 200ft vertical climb in 500 ft. (steep). No problem, but I think I might want brakes on the tractor.

 

[boggen]

awesome!:thumbsup:

 

[Shrager]

Hey that's cool, but I think I will stick to buying a ready made one. Anyone have any experience with one of these power wheel barrows they look alright but seem a little pricey.

 

[cmyoung2]

The electric one look good, but you are right, a little pricey. Have to wonder if they can actually handle steep or rough ground. The reason I like mine is I'm headed out to move wood then I'll hook up the snowblower to get ready for the snow tonight, same power unit.

 

[mikehaugen]

Hey that's cool, but I think I will stick to buying a ready made one. Anyone have any experience with one of these power wheel barrows they look alright but seem a little pricey.

if you are not stuck on electric, maybe check out the DR power wagons. A little higher payload and no recharging. Though it looks physically bigger so may be an issue in tight areas. This one is about the same price, they have one a little cheaper.

DR Powerwagon: Pro Self-Propelled Model 6.75 FPT Briggs Engine | - DR Power Equipment

 

[farmerboybill]

Cmyoung's point about having one engine do multiple tasks is the entire reason to own a BCS or Grillo. Once you're done with your purpose-built power hauler, it just sits. And sits. And sits some more. Gasoline powered ones are never drained of gas, so they need someone knowledgeable in carburetors to get them running the next time they're needed. Battery powered ones will not be charged when you need to use it in a hurry, or worse, it will run out of juice in a remote location and require dragging back to be charged.

For the $2100 minimum needed to buy a purpose-built model, you can find a good, used BCS model - usually with a tiller. Once you have the power unit, you can buy the attachments here and there. Get a snowblower -minus one seldom used engine. Get a chipper - minus one seldom used engine. Make or buy a barrow attachment - minus one seldom used engine. get a mower - minus one seldom used engine. All the sudden, you have one engine that does all your property work. You're never cussing the blower engine after 12 inches of snow drop and you didn't do the proper maintenance to make sure it ran. The chipper is always ready when the leaves fall. The tiller engine doesn't sit for 11 months and 29 days before it's needed again.

I like Cmyoung's very nice, very useful home-built power barrow over anything purpose-built.

 

[mikehaugen]

Cmyoung's point about having one engine do multiple tasks is the entire reason to own a BCS or Grillo. Once you're done with your purpose-built power hauler, it just sits. And sits. And sits some more. Gasoline powered ones are never drained of gas, so they need someone knowledgeable in carburetors to get them running the next time they're needed. Battery powered ones will not be charged when you need to use it in a hurry, or worse, it will run out of juice in a remote location and require dragging back to be charged.

For the $2100 minimum needed to buy a purpose-built model, you can find a good, used BCS model - usually with a tiller. Once you have the power unit, you can buy the attachments here and there. Get a snowblower -minus one seldom used engine. Get a chipper - minus one seldom used engine. Make or buy a barrow attachment - minus one seldom used engine. get a mower - minus one seldom used engine. All the sudden, you have one engine that does all your property work. You're never cussing the blower engine after 12 inches of snow drop and you didn't do the proper maintenance to make sure it ran. The chipper is always ready when the leaves fall. The tiller engine doesn't sit for 11 months and 29 days before it's needed again.

I like Cmyoung's very nice, very useful home-built power barrow over anything purpose-built.

you both have very valid points, and I agree with them. You also need to consider however you are relying on that one motor for everything you do. It will wear out faster, and when it does you have nothing. Lets say bcs goes out of business tomorrow, in a few years it is going to be hard to find parts, so if the transmission goes out in that thing you now have to buy a snowblower, tiller, barrow, chipper, etc... There have been a number of 2-wheel tractor manufacturers over the years, and very few left. Also BCS is not common enough really to even find that many used parts. Also, what if you wanted to run the chipper and the barrow at the same time? There are advantages to both sides and they both need to be considered.

 

[mpapiary]

you both have very valid points, and I agree with them. You also need to consider however you are relying on that one motor for everything you do. It will wear out faster, and when it does you have nothing. - Your not left with nothing, you simply replace the engine.

Lets say bcs goes out of business tomorrow, in a few years it is going to be hard to find parts, so if the transmission goes out in that thing you now have to buy a snowblower, tiller, barrow, chipper, etc... - This is no different than any other product you purchase. Parts availabilty isn't just based on whether the manufacturer stays in bussines or not, but if they are willing to support a certain model or product. The mind set of some businesses today is don't fix it, by a new one. Also many parts such as bearings and seals are not product specific and are available through suppliers other than the manufacture which can extend the useable life indefinetly.

There have been a number of 2-wheel tractor manufacturers over the years, and very few left. - Unlike 4 wheel tractors?

Also BCS is not common enough really to even find that many used parts. - Not true, check craigslist. I find stuff there all the time. You would be suprised how much of this stuff is out there.

Also, what if you wanted to run the chipper and the barrow at the same time? - Good point, if time was a factor I would rent either a chipper or barrow unit to expedite the project

There are advantages to both sides and they both need to be considered. - Very true! Spend your money on what works for you and not neccesarily someone else

Sometimes I worry I will wear out before my BCS!

 

[farmerboybill]

Sometimes I worry I will wear out before my BCS!

LOL, Mpapiary. Very true.

The most likely thing to fail on a BCS or Grillo is the engine. The engine can be swapped out with any one inch keyed shaft engine in about a half hour with a basic tool set. The rest of the machine can only be damaged by abuse or neglect. You'll NEVER wear out the transmission in this lifetime.

Second, BCS is the largest manufacturer of walk-behind tractors in Europe, maybe the world. Grillo is also a larger manufacturer. that would be like not buying a Deere or Kubota for fear of losing parts availability.

You do make a good point about maybe needing two attachments at once. That's why I have two power units! Most do not have much of a concern on this, though. Changeout between attachments is less than 5 minutes.