One Horse PTO Power

One Horse PTO Power AG WORLD 27-3-22 Ammon Weaver figures why crank an ice cream maker when you can let a horse do it. Not only does the horse maintain consistent power, but he doesn't expect to eat any of the finished product. Weaver runs a metal forming company and, in his spare time, makes horse-powered treadmills. So far, he has built nine, and they are all spoken for. "We're starting another batch of ten," says Weaver. "Using them for ice cream making has been the most popular, but we use ours on a washing machine." While the treadmill with its pto gearbox can be connected to any mechanical drive, Weaver also makes a hydraulic motor that runs off the pto. He has used that to power other equipment. "Horses are easy to train to the treadmill," says Ammon. "In about 10 to 15 minutes, the horse has it all figured out." The horse is led onto the inclined treadmill, and a bar is placed behind the animal. Once the treadmill is put in gear, if the horse doesn't walk forward, the treadmill belt will slide him back into the bar. This starts him forward. "Once a horse gets used to it, he doesn't even need the bar across his backside," reports Ammon. "It is just like climbing a constant grade." Ammon's treadmills have an adjustable grade ramp. He says he gets about one horsepower from a light work horse, but he is planning to build a twin one for twice the power. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Ammon Weaver, Athens Enterprises, 1821 Matherly Road, Liberty, Ky. 42539 (ph 606 787-8474).

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