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14 augustus 2006
Building Your Bike-Mower
WHEN BUILDING YOUR BIKE-MOWER, keep some things in mind. The mower must be propelled forwards, but the direction of application of force on a standard pedal bike is downwards. That spells "a better workout than wrestling a bull." Turning one of these beauties is another challenge. But if you don't mind having, mere inches from your face, a front wheel consisting of a whirling cylinder of razor-sharp blades, then get out the welder!
You also might consider brakes, lest you roll down the driveway and into the street and down the hill, blades clinquant.
Posted by ypsidixit at 14 augustus 2006 08:45
Comments
What we really need here is a recumbent, to bring into alignment the forces of the extending leg and the mower direction, thus vastly increasing efficiency.
Posted by: Laura at 14 augustus 2006 11:16
Wait!--I have a better idea. Take the ancient moped in my garage, remove the front wheel, and stick the reel mower on. Voila! Mow in mere seconds, and enjoy the excitement and fun of a quasi-motorcross experience--right in your own yard!
Posted by: Laura at 14 augustus 2006 11:29
You could call it a mowped.
Posted by: Laura at 14 augustus 2006 11:33
It would be hard to mow 5 acres weekly though.
Posted by: Moe Daly at 14 augustus 2006 12:07
That's where the mowped comes in. Lithe, yet clunky, you could roar over those five acres in mere minutes. Plus your neighbors will enjoy the authetic motorcross sound effects. They'll feel as though they're at the race itself!
Posted by: Laura at 14 augustus 2006 12:14
Sounds like work to me.
Posted by: Moe O'casionally at 14 augustus 2006 13:10
It's work made FUN! with this ingenious device that combines the quiet of a reel mower with the comfy squishy seat of a moped.
Posted by: Laura at 14 augustus 2006 13:12
Actually, Moe, I have the feeling you'd like something more period to add historical authenticity. OK, how about a six-foot-tall 1890s steam-powered lawn-mower?
Posted by: Laura at 14 augustus 2006 13:36
Moped=gas and noise. I'd rather just get a goat, but the city won't allow it.
Posted by: Old Goat at 14 augustus 2006 15:42
Ypsidixit is all about finding solutions. So, after hearing all about converting a car to electric, from the AF, I propose converting the mowped to an electric mowped. You might have to tow the batteries in back on a little wagon, which would cut down a bit on efficiency BUT would make the mowped Earth-friendly, silent, and non-polluting!
Top that!
Posted by: Laura at 14 augustus 2006 16:05
Goat: Fertilizes lawn with compact little 'berries' while chopping off grass and any manner of weeds!
Posted by: Old Goat at 14 augustus 2006 23:55
Laura-
Do you have any serious plans for that moped? I've been looking locally for one for some time.
Posted by: cate at 15 augustus 2006 16:32
Cate: I do not. It needs a battery. Beyond that, I don't know if it needs repairs. Body is in very good shape--it's been living in a garage since 1985. Suzuki.
Purchased in high school with money I earned picking tomatoes starting at age 14. :)
Posted by: Laura at 15 augustus 2006 16:35
Actually, your bike-mower could also be called a mowped.
I agree with Old Goat, I am all for quiet in the mowing department and much prefer the gentle whir of the push mower to the sputtering of a moped. Plus, you are getting more exercise (not that I'm implying or infering that you NEED exercise, mind you).
Posted by: Tami at 16 augustus 2006 09:35
Ypsidixit needs all the exercise she can get, since she eats like a pig, though only of healthy foods like today's market peaches, yum.
I also prefer the soothing whir of the mower.
Posted by: Laura at 16 augustus 2006 09:42
Old Goat: Rats. You topped that, by a mile.
I hope the goat community appreciates your relentless and loyal advocacy. :)
Posted by: Laura at 16 augustus 2006 09:44
My apologies to the goat community, but even up here in somewhat rural "tragic city", we are not permitted goats in a residential area....so, for now the whir must substitute.
Liked the post so much, I linked to it on AbsoluteMichigan.com today.
Posted by: Tami at 16 augustus 2006 12:43
PS My co-worker wonders if a tricycle with the mower in the rear would be an answer?
Posted by: Tami at 16 augustus 2006 12:44
Tami: How flattering! Thank you for the kind link!
Funny you should say that about your co-worker--I found just such a device yesterday, and sent it to the AF, who collects old reel mowers and likes wacky inventions.
Posted by: Esteemed Y. at 16 augustus 2006 12:47
I haven't been up to much today. I've just been letting everything happen without me. Basically nothing seems worth bothering with. I've just been hanging out doing nothing. I just don't have anything to say right now. More or less nothing happening.
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