2013 - Volume #37, Issue #5, Page #30
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Pedal-Powered Pto
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“Pedals drive the flywheel which is fitted with a roller chain sprocket that connects to a sprocket on the main shaft,” says Holliday. “The shaft can have multiple sprockets or pulleys mounted to it to power different devices. If attachments are installed around it, switching from one to another is as simple as removing a belt or roller chain and attaching another.”
Holliday has used the work station to grind wheat and charge batteries with an alternator. The two jobs can even be done simultaneously. He plans to try it with an air compressor and possibly a small hydraulic pump, as well as a pulley-driven table saw.
The 240-lb. work station consists of a 12-in. high, 28 1/2-in. long, 10 in. wide, 1/4-in. thick steel base. A flange edge on either side of the base allows it to be bolted to a larger workstation surface.
The 20-in., 28-lb. flywheel projects toward the person pedaling. A no. 40 sprocket shares its short 1-in. diameter shaft. A second shaft 26 1/2 in. forward is attached to the sides of the base with pillow block bearings. It extends 10-in. to either side of the base. A smaller #40 sprocket on it gives the user a 3:1 mechanical advantage. A guard covers the connecting chain between the two sprockets.
“The driveshaft is long enough to mount up to three pulleys or sprockets between the sides of the base, as well as multiples to either side,” says Holliday. “To add or replace hardware, simply unbolt the pillow-block bearings and slide out the shaft. Make changes, return the shaft, and tighten down the bearings. It only takes about 5 min.”
Holliday has the Pedal-Powered PTO workstation priced at $1,295. It comes with a 6-in. “starter” belt pulley.
“There is no limit to how the work station can be used,” says Holliday. “For heavy-duty work, it may be necessary to bolt down not only the workstation and the accessory, but also the chair the person pedaling is sitting in. I like to use one that reclines to let me use back pressure for more force when pedaling.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Well WaterBoy Products, P.O. Box 702, Myrtle, Mo. 65778 (ph 417 938-4991; darren@wellwaterboy.com; www.waterbuckpump.com).
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