Do-All Garden Cart Eases Work

Do-All Garden Cart Eases Work CROPS Miscellaneous “I modified a golf cart to harvest my 10 000 asparagus plants and to plant onions and garlic I love it every time I use it ” says Dean Maschoff Elm Creek Vegetables     Semi-retired Maschoff markets from $50 to $100 worth of vegetables a day from his farm gate using the honor system To supply demand he has a good-sized garden and needed an easier way to work it His modified golf cart gave him that     “The first thing people said was they had never seen anything like it ” he says “The second thing was that I should make them to sell ”     Maschoff had received this kind of advice before After years of making extruded aluminum parts for a window manufacturer he made an aluminum golf cart trailer for himself     “Friends talked me into building them ” recalls Maschoff “I started Aluma Trailers in 1992 because no one was making an affordable or useable aluminum trailer The company grew from 3 employees to 200 ”     Maschoff sold the company in 2000 but continued designing trailers for them Now he was hearing similar things about his modified golf cart People liked the simplicity and compact design He had lengthened and widened the cart He decreased the speed by 50 percent and replaced and modified the electric controls for multiple operator positions     The “Veggie Board” is 36 by 72 in with a 2 hp electric motor The operator can vary the speed from 0 to 10 mph All terrain tires handle tilled ground without a problem and the all aluminum construction is nearly maintenance free     Maschoff has used his original Veggie Board for a wide variety of crops and practices from laying plastic and mulch to planting weeding and harvest The optional side seat is ideal for trimming and harvesting a wide variety of fruit and other upright crops Like other components it is adjustable up/down out/in and side to side     “You can do all kinds of things with the Veggie Board ” says Maschoff “Unlike some carts on the market you don’t have to lay on your stomach which has been shown to be bad for the back if done for extended periods ”     Maschoff designed his cart for kneeling forward with a chest support or simply sitting or standing The adjustable steering wheel and throttle provide total control in any position     “You can stand up and pick apples with the steering wheel right next to you and you can adjust controls for sitting kneeling or standing positions ” says Maschoff     Maschoff handles all orders in-house with a lead-time of 30 days He is manufacturing them in a rented building but looking for a permanent location Distribution and marketing will be turned over to another firm     “Currently Ag Resource is my only dealer ” says Maschoff “I want to be sure the carts are durable If changes are needed I can make them ”     Maschoff has considered offering a rooftop solar panel but doesn’t feel it would be economical at this time While not promoting it he does have one 5 by 9-ft Veggie Board available It has an 8 hp 36-volt motor larger tires and can be equipped with a side wing to seat 3 people It has variable speed and other features similar to the model currently being made     Retail price as of now for the smaller Veggie Board is $5 800 plus shipping Maschoff notes that it can be shipped on a 4 by 3 1/2-ft pallet and is easily assembled     Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Dean Maschoff 1846 190th Ave Fairmont Minn 56031 ph 515 341-3608; elmcreekveggies@gmail com ; or Ag Resource ph 800 288-6650; www agresourceincmn com

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