How He Built This Custom Runabout MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT Miscellaneous When Michael Heron’s grandkids saw a picture of a go-cart he had built for his son they became excited and begged their grandfather to build one for them as well “I couldn’t say no so that’s how this ‘runabout’ got its start ” says Heron “The plan was to give it to the grandkids when they got bigger ” He began with old bed rails for the frame which he covered with fitted plywood body pieces He wanted something inexpensive for wheels so decided on bicycle rims and tires For the hood he salvaged an old lawn tractor hood and cut it to the right size and shape Heron’s original plan was to build a smaller cart but he decided to expand it to add a longer steering shaft He installed an old 70 cc Honda clone electric-start engine from a scrapped quad to power the runabout It came with a centrifugal clutch that wouldn’t engage the wheels until it was throttled up A drive chain jackshaft and sprocket system were assembled to drive the wheels He connected a cable to a foot pedal for easy throttle control For braking he used bicycle coaster brakes linked by a shaft to a non-driven wheel “It’s not designed for speed but if you’re gentle with it the brakes slow it down all right ” Heron says “The steering system was simple as well with a basic steering mantle on the front ” Heron used IBC tote metal for the seat frame that his wife Leonie covered with cut-up pieces of a canvas tote bag The cushion uses thick foam for a softer ride As one grandchild asked for green color and another wanted yellow they decided on a combination for the color scheme Heron estimates the finished runabout cost him about $200 as he already had most of the major pieces lying around His biggest expense was a $40 battery Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Michael Heron RR1 Site 1 Box 1 Main Station Lloydminster Sask Canada S9V 0X6 ph 306-307-8632; m heron@sasktel net

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