Pedal-Powered Lawn Mower
As this issue went to press, we came across an idea that reminded us of a FARM SHOW story we did 15 years ago. Ted Wojcik of Windham, New Hampshire wowed the crowd at a recent show for bicycle manufacturers with his custom-built pedal-powered lawn mower. Since the unveiling, he told us he's had many inquiries from investors and manufacturers interested in helping him develop the idea as well as many media outlets who intend to write about it. So you'll probably be seeing it around soon.
Wojcik's human-powered mower consists of a recumbent bike with a reel-type mower beneath the seat. It rides on three main bicycle wheels. Two smaller wheels ground-drive the reel mower itself.
It's geared to turn sharp and has fixed gears so when you stop pedaling, it stops. No need for brakes. Wojcik says no retail price has been set but that it'll probably be in the range of a low-end riding mower (www.tedwojcikcustombicycles.com).
Wojcik's bike mower brought to mind a story we ran in 1995 about a built-from-scratch pedal-powered mower built by Richard Ehrlich, Caledon East, Ontario (Vol. 19, No. 4). At the time he said he could cut a half acre of lawn per hour on level ground, about the same as with a push mower. But it cost nothing to operate, generated no noxious fumes, and he liked the workout. The mower turned on a dime and cutting height could be easily adjusted from 1 to 5 in. It was ideal on flat ground but still had some problems getting up hills.
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Pedal-Powered Lawn Mower FARM HOME Lawn Mowers (31h,38) 34-2-5 As this issue went to press, we came across an idea that reminded us of a FARM SHOW story we did 15 years ago. Ted Wojcik of Windham, New Hampshire wowed the crowd at a recent show for bicycle manufacturers with his custom-built pedal-powered lawn mower. Since the unveiling, he told us he's had many inquiries from investors and manufacturers interested in helping him develop the idea as well as many media outlets who intend to write about it. So you'll probably be seeing it around soon.
Wojcik's human-powered mower consists of a recumbent bike with a reel-type mower beneath the seat. It rides on three main bicycle wheels. Two smaller wheels ground-drive the reel mower itself.
It's geared to turn sharp and has fixed gears so when you stop pedaling, it stops. No need for brakes. Wojcik says no retail price has been set but that it'll probably be in the range of a low-end riding mower (www.tedwojcikcustombicycles.com).
Wojcik's bike mower brought to mind a story we ran in 1995 about a built-from-scratch pedal-powered mower built by Richard Ehrlich, Caledon East, Ontario (Vol. 19, No. 4). At the time he said he could cut a half acre of lawn per hour on level ground, about the same as with a push mower. But it cost nothing to operate, generated no noxious fumes, and he liked the workout. The mower turned on a dime and cutting height could be easily adjusted from 1 to 5 in. It was ideal on flat ground but still had some problems getting up hills.
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