Ratchet-Drive Pedal Go-Cart

Ratchet-Drive Pedal Go-Cart FARM HOME Toys/Games 23-1-21 Marshall Litchfield's grandson, Ryan, wanted a pedal-powered go-cart in the worst way. The problem was that the little guy couldn't operate a conventional pedal-type model. So the Macomb, Ill., farmer built a ratchet-drive go-cart the youngster can easily drive around his grandpa's shop and farmyard. The go-cart is built around a piece of 2-in. sq., 1/8-in thick wall pipe. Rear drive wheels are 12-in. high and front wheels are 8-in. high. He ordered them out of a parts catalog. He machined the steering wheel from scratch. "I designed a ratchet-gear drive so every time you take your foot off the pedal, the teeth take a new bite and keep you going," says Litchfield. The 4-in. dia. gear mounts in the center of the back axle under the seat and engages every time the pedals are pushed. "The steering sector is built from an old hand-held angle grinder which had a burned out motor with a bevel gear," he says. "A U-joint out of a 3/8-in. socket set was used to connect the steering wheel into the steering sector." The seat, like the pedals, is adjustable three ways, backward and forward. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Marshall Litchfield, 15340 N. 700 Rd., Macomb, Ill. 61455 (ph 309 254-3481).

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