Pedal car (Dino, Berg,Kettler) questions. - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

12-25-2006, 04:30 AM

Depending on where you are reading this, you may know that one of my
coworkers developed bicycle towed snow plow which he uses to help keep
a MUP open in our car-clogged suburb of Chicago.
(<http://www.google.com/search?q=bicycle+snow+plow> [first link] on the
off chance this is news to anyone). No, the local governmental units
won't remove the snow and yes we've tried to get them to move it. If
we don't do it, it won't get done, period.

The main drawback of the bikeplow system is that the bike needs to be
in front of the plow, towing. Not pushing. In the snow. And the bike
has to be above a certain critical speed for balancing yadda yadda
yadda, the plow has trouble with heavy, wet, or icy underlayers. The
plow is 10^6 better than nothing, but there is a bit of room for
improvement.

It would be better, for instance, if the motivator were on something
more stable than two-wheels, and it might be good if the plow pushed
the snow out of the way, before the wheels ...

Tautological thoughts like this lead me to imagine a sort of
pedal-powered bulldozer or tractor thing, which lead me eventually to
discover these things called pedal cars

<http://www.autoculture.co.uk/Dino%202007.pdf>
<http://www.kettler.net/articles/20050216194000001126/index.html>
<http://www.bergtoys.com/skelters.php?categorie=10>

They seem to be popular(?) in europe, but basically non-existant in the
US. The Dino seems to be the bee's knees (very nice), with a 5-speed +
reverse gear, 200+ kg payload .... very burly, and quite what i'd
imagine i'd like to have to push a little V-plow along the trail.

The only real problems i see are (a) i'd have to import most of them
because of the limited availability in the states (Kettler seems sort
of available, i.e. special order at Dick's Sports) and (b) they cost a
lot of money -- 900 Pounds Sterling for the top of the line Dino car!

so i'm seeking information and pointers. I'd like to know of club
websites etc. for pedal-car entheusiasts, hear of people's
experiences/opinions etc.

12-25-2006, 06:23 AM

what does THIS button do? wrote:
> Depending on where you are reading this, you may know that one of my
> coworkers developed bicycle towed snow plow which he uses to help keep
> a MUP open in our car-clogged suburb of Chicago.
> (<http://www.google.com/search?q=bicycle+snow+plow> [first link] on the
> off chance this is news to anyone). No, the local governmental units
> won't remove the snow and yes we've tried to get them to move it. If
> we don't do it, it won't get done, period.
>
> The main drawback of the bikeplow system is that the bike needs to be
> in front of the plow, towing. Not pushing. In the snow. And the bike
> has to be above a certain critical speed for balancing yadda yadda
> yadda, the plow has trouble with heavy, wet, or icy underlayers. The
> plow is 10^6 better than nothing, but there is a bit of room for
> improvement.
>
> It would be better, for instance, if the motivator were on something
> more stable than two-wheels, and it might be good if the plow pushed
> the snow out of the way, before the wheels ...
>
> Tautological thoughts like this lead me to imagine a sort of
> pedal-powered bulldozer or tractor thing, which lead me eventually to
> discover these things called pedal cars
>
> <http://www.autoculture.co.uk/Dino%202007.pdf>
> <http://www.kettler.net/articles/20050216194000001126/index.html>
> <http://www.bergtoys.com/skelters.php?categorie=10>
>
> They seem to be popular(?) in europe, but basically non-existant in the
> US. The Dino seems to be the bee's knees (very nice), with a 5-speed +
> reverse gear, 200+ kg payload .... very burly, and quite what i'd
> imagine i'd like to have to push a little V-plow along the trail.
>
> The only real problems i see are (a) i'd have to import most of them
> because of the limited availability in the states (Kettler seems sort
> of available, i.e. special order at Dick's Sports) and (b) they cost a
> lot of money -- 900 Pounds Sterling for the top of the line Dino car!
>
> so i'm seeking information and pointers. I'd like to know of club
> websites etc. for pedal-car entheusiasts, hear of people's
> experiences/opinions etc.

I've thought of this concept several times. Not just for snow clearing
but lawn mowing, etc. Not being a mechanically inclined sort (I feel a
real sense of accomplishment changing a lightbulb), thought is as far
as I got.

The links you presented appear to be toys. I wonder if they'd be
rugged enough to handle the punishment of snow clearing. You might
need something a bit stronger, a bit more durable.

As an alternative, check out some of the trike manufacturers. A trike
might well be stable enough. And there are probably more manufacturers.

12-25-2006, 07:28 AM

what does THIS button do? wrote:
> Depending on where you are reading this, you may know that one of my
> coworkers developed bicycle towed snow plow which he uses to help keep
> a MUP open in our car-clogged suburb of Chicago.
> (<http://www.google.com/search?q=bicycle+snow+plow> [first link] on the
> off chance this is news to anyone). No, the local governmental units
> won't remove the snow and yes we've tried to get them to move it. If
> we don't do it, it won't get done, period.
>
> The main drawback of the bikeplow system is that the bike needs to be
> in front of the plow, towing. Not pushing. In the snow. And the bike
> has to be above a certain critical speed for balancing yadda yadda
> yadda, the plow has trouble with heavy, wet, or icy underlayers. The
> plow is 10^6 better than nothing, but there is a bit of room for
> improvement.
>
> It would be better, for instance, if the motivator were on something
> more stable than two-wheels, and it might be good if the plow pushed
> the snow out of the way, before the wheels ...
>
> Tautological thoughts like this lead me to imagine a sort of
> pedal-powered bulldozer or tractor thing, which lead me eventually to
> discover these things called pedal cars
>
> <http://www.autoculture.co.uk/Dino%202007.pdf>
> <http://www.kettler.net/articles/20050216194000001126/index.html>
> <http://www.bergtoys.com/skelters.php?categorie=10>
>
> They seem to be popular(?) in europe, but basically non-existant in the
> US. The Dino seems to be the bee's knees (very nice), with a 5-speed +
> reverse gear, 200+ kg payload .... very burly, and quite what i'd
> imagine i'd like to have to push a little V-plow along the trail.
>
> The only real problems i see are (a) i'd have to import most of them
> because of the limited availability in the states (Kettler seems sort
> of available, i.e. special order at Dick's Sports) and (b) they cost a
> lot of money -- 900 Pounds Sterling for the top of the line Dino car!
>
> so i'm seeking information and pointers. I'd like to know of club
> websites etc. for pedal-car entheusiasts, hear of people's
> experiences/opinions etc.
>

Take a look at these, .max.

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

I don't recall...is the trail paved yet?

sticks

12-25-2006, 07:59 AM

"what does THIS button do?" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:1167049807.639057.267510@79g2000cws.googlegro ups.com...
> Depending on where you are reading this, you may know that one of my
> coworkers developed bicycle towed snow plow which he uses to help keep
> a MUP open in our car-clogged suburb of Chicago.

Has this idiot not noticed the letter 'uk' in the header, and if he has, is
he not aware that these letters indicate that this newsgroup is aimed at the
inhabitants of a small island just off the west coast of europe, that is if
he knows where europe is?

Alan

12-25-2006, 08:12 AM

"Alan Holmes" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:PzSjh.36164$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].net...
>
> "what does THIS button do?" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> news:1167049807.639057.267510@79g2000cws.googlegro ups.com...
>> Depending on where you are reading this, you may know that one of my
>> coworkers developed bicycle towed snow plow which he uses to help keep
>> a MUP open in our car-clogged suburb of Chicago.
>
> Has this idiot not noticed the letter 'uk' in the header, and if he has,
> is he not aware that these letters indicate that this newsgroup is aimed
> at the inhabitants of a small island just off the west coast of europe,
> that is if he knows where europe is?
>
There are several alternative options open to you Alan:

Email him/her directly at [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] with your request

Respond but remove uk.rec.cycling from the list of groups and let the flak
and cross posting continue elsewhere

Ponder on the problem that he faces and make a sensible suggestion on how
the OP might improve the device that (s)he's described.

Merry Xmas ;-)

-=V=-

12-25-2006, 08:23 AM

In article <PzSjh.36164$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].net>,
"Alan Holmes" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> "what does THIS button do?" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> news:1167049807.639057.267510@79g2000cws.googlegro ups.com...
> > Depending on where you are reading this, you may know that one of my
> > coworkers developed bicycle towed snow plow which he uses to help keep
> > a MUP open in our car-clogged suburb of Chicago.
>
> Has this idiot not noticed the letter 'uk' in the header, and if he has, is
> he not aware that these letters indicate that this newsgroup is aimed at the
> inhabitants of a small island just off the west coast of europe, that is if
> he knows where europe is?
>
> Alan

SCROOGE!

12-25-2006, 08:39 AM

kenji wrote:

> SCROOGE!

Nah, Scrooge was a kind and generous character who gave to the needy
and was concerned with the welfare of the less off.

At least in the latter part of his life.

...d

12-25-2006, 08:40 AM

In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>,
"vernon" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> "Alan Holmes" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> news:PzSjh.36164$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].net...
> >
> > "what does THIS button do?" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> > news:1167049807.639057.267510@79g2000cws.googlegro ups.com...
> >> Depending on where you are reading this, you may know that one of my
> >> coworkers developed bicycle towed snow plow which he uses to help keep
> >> a MUP open in our car-clogged suburb of Chicago.
> >
> > Has this idiot not noticed the letter 'uk' in the header, and if he has,
> > is he not aware that these letters indicate that this newsgroup is aimed
> > at the inhabitants of a small island just off the west coast of europe,
> > that is if he knows where europe is?
> >
> There are several alternative options open to you Alan:
>
> Email him/her directly at [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] with your request
>
> Respond but remove uk.rec.cycling from the list of groups and let the flak
> and cross posting continue elsewhere
>
> Ponder on the problem that he faces and make a sensible suggestion on how
> the OP might improve the device that (s)he's described.
>
> Merry Xmas ;-)
>
> -=V=-

FWIW, I know the OP and he's a bit of a wacko. He really does want to
plow 15 miles of a bicycle trail's snow using something he and others
would pedal.

12-25-2006, 08:58 AM

In article <PzSjh.36164$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].net>,
"Alan Holmes" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> "what does THIS button do?" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> news:1167049807.639057.267510@79g2000cws.googlegro ups.com...
> > Depending on where you are reading this, you may know that one of my
> > coworkers developed bicycle towed snow plow which he uses to help keep
> > a MUP open in our car-clogged suburb of Chicago.
>
> Has this idiot not noticed the letter 'uk' in the header, and if he has, is
> he not aware that these letters indicate that this newsgroup is aimed at the
> inhabitants of a small island just off the west coast of europe, that is if
> he knows where europe is?
>
> Alan

Alan,

This idiot did, in fact, notice that the only places in the english
speaking world which carry the Dino Car are in England and Ireland.

This idiot lives in Chicago and is unable to readily visit a dealer in
England or ireland. I hope this clears up any misunderstanding you might
have. Me=Chicago. English speaking dealers = UK, bicycles= duh.

I would have included a fahrrad.de (or ftm, einradder) group, but meiner
deutsch is a little rusty, it having been a few years since i moved away
from Munich.

Thank you for your substantive reply, alan.

..max

12-25-2006, 09:03 AM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] wrote:

>
> what does THIS button do? wrote:
> > <http://www.autoculture.co.uk/Dino%202007.pdf>
> > <http://www.kettler.net/articles/20050216194000001126/index.html>
> > <http://www.bergtoys.com/skelters.php?categorie=10>

> I've thought of this concept several times. Not just for snow clearing
> but lawn mowing, etc. Not being a mechanically inclined sort (I feel a
> real sense of accomplishment changing a lightbulb), thought is as far
> as I got.
>
> The links you presented appear to be toys. I wonder if they'd be
> rugged enough to handle the punishment of snow clearing. You might
> need something a bit stronger, a bit more durable.

Some of the Dinos are pretty hefty -- about 100 pounds empty weight.
What i like about the 4-wheelers is that their design would _greatly_
simplify managing a plow mount -- interference problems seem to arise
from pushing in front of a trike mount...

..max