My local MUP has a couple spots where stuff (mostly clay or gravel) have washed across the trail. I am tired of waiting for the city to come clean the trail so I decided if I want it cleaned I should do it myself. I built this shovel rack out of a 1x6, some screws, a U-bolt, and some conduit hangers. I need to replace the "stock" nuts on the U-bolt with wing nuts for ease of removing and resecuring the shovel but otherwise I think this setup should work out okay. Even my dog thinks this is a ridiculously great idea.
I'll try to get some "action shots" and before/after on the trail cleanup.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/IMG_0097.jpg
Rack on the bike
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/IMG_0099.jpg
Attached to the existing rack with conduit straps. I used some cut sections of tubing to increase the diameter of the rack bars. It's not perfect but it's what I had laying around and I don't intend to leave the rack on the bike as a perminate fixture anyway. I need to get some wing nuts to fasten the U-bolt.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/IMG_0100.jpg
This was the simplest solution I could come up with for securing the shovel 'blade'. Screwed and glued for the strongest hold.
I hope you like it.
vey
02-06-08, 05:59 AM
I like it. I do this sort of maintenance myself and it is a pain to get the shovel and broom over there.
dwnptrl_777
02-06-08, 07:08 AM
Nicely done.
Stax
02-06-08, 07:44 AM
nice.
cool dog, btw.
Nightshade
02-06-08, 10:29 AM
Why isn't that board mounted on a pivot? Catch that board
just once and you'll wish it was. :rolleyes:
Not bad, but you might want to use a plastic shovel; you'll save enormously on weight.
iltb-2
02-06-08, 11:36 AM
Your civic minded good deed is noted. Wouldn't it be simpler to use several Bungee cords to secure the shovel (without the wood) on to the top of the rear carrier parallel to the bike?
HandsomeRyan
02-06-08, 12:42 PM
Why isn't that board mounted on a pivot? Catch that board
just once and you'll wish it was. :rolleyes:
Where I plan to use this (a 6' wide paved greenway trail) there really isn't anything to catch the board on. with the majority of the weight located at the bottom it would swing forward and hit my ankles every time I hit the brakes if it were allowerd to swivel.
Not bad, but you might want to use a plastic shovel; you'll save enormously on weight.
I don't believe I've ever seen a plastic D-handle transfer shovel before? Since I do not plan to take this with me on every ride I'm not too concerned about the weight issue.
Your civic minded good deed is noted. Wouldn't it be simpler to use several Bungee cords to secure the shovel (without the wood) on to the top of the rear carrier parallel to the bike?
The shovel is too long to be strapped to the top of the rack. (Xtracycle owners could probably do it but I can't) This setup carries the weight of the shovel (mostly the steel 'head') very low on the bike so it helps with the center of gravity. Admittedly, I probably could have found an easier way to secure the shovel directly to the bike/rack but I have a garage full of tools so why not use them. :)
Hotbike,
(A) Wouldn't carrying a shovel on a bike like that, with the handle over your shoulder, be very dangerous in the event of a crash?
(B) You obviously put a lot of work into those farings; I don't think I'd want to put a muddy shovel anywhere near something I worked that hard on.
badmother
02-06-08, 02:45 PM
In the old days the guys repairing the gravelroads in this area travelled by bike and carryed exactely that type of showel. One guy was said to be wery lazy. Somebody decided to play with him and welded the showel to the rack. Then they waited to see how many days it would take for him to find out.. :D
TRaffic Jammer
02-06-08, 02:48 PM
very cool man, very cool
Nightshade
02-06-08, 04:02 PM
Where I plan to use this (a 6' wide paved greenway trail) there really isn't anything to catch the board on. with the majority of the weight located at the bottom it would swing forward and hit my ankles every time I hit the brakes if it were allowerd to swivel.
True but a stop would fix that. My concern is that the board would not kick back to avoid
hanging up and throwing you over the bars.
MMACH 5
02-06-08, 04:09 PM
I like it.
Instead of using wing nuts, you could use a QR lever. Of course you'd have to use groves instead of the holes in the board.
I'm guessing you won't get in any trouble for cleaning up the MUP, but there was a guy, here in North TX who got ticketed for fixing the potholes in front of his house.
HandsomeRyan
02-06-08, 06:34 PM
True but a stop would fix that. My concern is that the board would not kick back to avoid
hanging up and throwing you over the bars.
I'm not sure what you think it will get hung up on? The shovel does not even stick out to the side as far as the pedals do. while riding on a paved trail (with the shovel on the inside) there is not really anything that will even come close to that area that might cause an accident.
Aloyzius
02-06-08, 06:53 PM
I dig that Raleigh with the dynohub.
astronomerroyal
02-07-08, 09:56 AM
Very fine yet expeditious workmanship. Perhaps a bungee could be in order to stop the blade from jumping up-and-out when you ride over a pothole. A nice bit of webbing+buckle would be an even more stylish addition, maybe replacing the U-brace?
Your signature:
Your legacy live on in the hearts and minds of those you helped.
RIP Sheldon Brown (1944-2008)
I'm in shock. I hope his Glossary also lives on.
Is that a shovel or a spade? In the UK I think it would be called a spade. I'll get my jacket.
Nightshade
02-07-08, 11:25 AM
I'm not sure what you think it will get hung up on? The shovel does not even stick out to the side as far as the pedals do. while riding on a paved trail (with the shovel on the inside) there is not really anything that will even come close to that area that might cause an accident.
Chance being what it is it's impossible to predict the obstacle that would catch the board at
the bottom or leading edge. However, chance being what it is it's a sure bet that at some
point in time there will be an obstacle that will catch the board because the bike is out of
profile on that side. I just cared enough about a fellow cyslist to sound a warning that's all.
HandsomeRyan
02-07-08, 01:41 PM
Perhaps a bungee could be in order to stop the blade from jumping up-and-out when you ride over a pothole. A nice bit of webbing+buckle would be an even more stylish addition, maybe replacing the U-brace?.
I used the U-bolt because I had one laying around the garage. There is no raeson a strap or bungee could not be substituted. As for the shovel jumping out, once I tighten the U bolt down with the wing nuts the shovel is held so tightly it does not bounce at all.
This is a "quick-and-dirty" solution because I may only need to use this contraption a couple times a year. If anyone was looking to build a bicycle mounted tool rack for frequent use there are many improvements that could be made over this design.
Is that a shovel or a spade? In the UK I think it would be called a spade.
I have no idea? Here in the U.S. we use 'shovel' and 'spade' interchangably.
Spades have their own wikipedia page! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spade
Chance being what it is it's impossible to predict the obstacle that would catch the board at
the bottom or leading edge. However, chance being what it is it's a sure bet that at some
point in time there will be an obstacle that will catch the board because the bike is out of
profile on that side. I just cared enough about a fellow cyslist to sound a warning that's all.
I appologise if I came across as dismissive in my previous post. I apreciate your concern and I agree that under certain circumstances there would be a possibility of this setup causing an accident. Because this is such a limited use modification, (it will be used maybe maybe twice a year?) I did not see a need to add provisions for obsticle contact because I can 100% guarentee that on the greenway trail I will be using this on, nothing will come anywhere close to hitting the piece of wood.
If you have any ideas on how to easily and inexpensively add a swivel you should make one and post some pictures as they may be beneficial to others who might try to build something similar. I know of at least one other member here who told me he is working on a design (possibly similar to this?) for transporting fishing poles.
TheFool
02-07-08, 04:23 PM
A spade is pointed, a shovel is square. At least that's how I use the two words.
This is a "quick-and-dirty" solution because I may only need to use this contraption a couple times a year. If anyone was looking to build a bicycle mounted tool rack for frequent use there are many improvements that could be made over this design.
I'd be interested in any ideas you have, especially after using this. I'd like to build a tool rack for some people I know that run a small farm. They would need to carry several tools, with long handles. I'm thinking if a kind of sling that hangs the tool diagonally, handle pointing forward.
But taking TightWad's safety considerations into account, that's like riding around with a big jousting lance :eek:
HandsomeRyan
02-07-08, 06:08 PM
I'd be interested in any ideas you have, especially after using this. I'd like to build a tool rack for some people I know that run a small farm. They would need to carry several tools, with long handles. I'm thinking if a kind of sling that hangs the tool diagonally, handle pointing forward.
But taking TightWad's safety considerations into account, that's like riding around with a big jousting lance :eek:
I'm going to try to go do my cleanup tomorrow so I'll post the results of the maiden voyage when I'm done.
If you wanted to carry multiple tools I would recommend positioning them all 'head down' to keep the weight of the steel ends low on the bike. The u-bolts are beneficial becasue they can be tightened down sufficiently to prevent the tools from rattling or 'jumping' as you go over bumps.
I did a little test ride tonight in my yard- between the shovel and the camera tripod I'm bringing to help me get some pictures, it is HEAVY! I looked up plastic shovels and it does not look like i can justify buying one right now but anyone who wants to use a setup like this on a regular basis would be well advised to look at plastic and fiberglass tools.
I need to get some better pictures showing exactly how the bottom part of the rack is positioned in relation to the bike and rear wheel. Anything that would catch the shovel rack would catch the pedals and I've never crashed becasue of hooking a pedal on something. I'm not saying that it 'couldn't' happen but it would take a very extraordinary set of circumstances to cause a serious crash.
Nightshade
02-08-08, 04:36 AM
One possible solution is a "Folding Shovel" that could just be the ticket for any
cycle carry. One can buy these at sporting goods or military surplus stores.
Since a folding shovel is often ment to be back packed it should weight much
less than any garden shovel. One thing is sure no board would be needed to
transport a folder.
graywolf
02-08-08, 11:58 AM
Is that a shovel or a spade? In the UK I think it would be called a spade. I'll get my jacket.
It is a shovel. A shovel is a scooping tool and has a square blade. While a spade is a digging tool and has a pointed blade; I would guess that the name comes from resembling the spade shape on playing cards. I would also guess that most people do not have a clue there is a difference and use the words interchangeably. I have even seen them using the tools interchangeably, which is sort like of trying to play tennis with a golf club and vis versa:D
graywolf
02-08-08, 12:03 PM
I did a little test ride tonight in my yard- between the shovel and the camera tripod I'm bringing to help me get some pictures, it is HEAVY! I looked up plastic shovels and it does not look like i can justify buying one right now but anyone who wants to use a setup like this on a regular basis would be well advised to look at plastic and fiberglass tools.
There are also aluminum shovels available. However I have to say that in my mind, for what you want to use it for, what you have come up with is close to perfect.
HandsomeRyan
02-08-08, 12:15 PM
It worked swimmingly! So well in fact, that after two and a half hours of shoveling I road an extra 8 miles on the greenway before calling it a day.
Below are some pictures:
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/Trail0.jpg
All loaded up and ready to go.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/trail5.jpg
Me, hard at work.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/Trail7.jpg
And that is what a clear trail looks like...
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/trail4.jpg
My trusty steed waited patiently as I cleared the muck.
unkchunk
02-09-08, 08:47 AM
Nice job. Thank you. I've never did a shovel, but I have brought a rake to clean up the local MUP. Pretty much for the same reasons you had. I guess I'm lucky with my frame having a horizontal top tube and being large. I just had to tie it parallel to the top tube and let the rake part fan out above the rear wheel. A sloping top tube would seem to put the rake head right into the rear wheel.
On a side note, I hope the other cyclists at least tried to slow down and not hit you while you were shoveling. When I did spontaneous voluntary MUP maintenance I didn't expect anyone to help, though one or two did, I didn't expect anyone to say "Thank you", though a few more did; but I did expect cyclists to slow down and not hit me... and evidently my expectations were set way too high. It seemed I had to keep an eye out for cyclists more than doing the actual trail work. Too many bad experiences left me jaded on MUPs and MUP cyclists in general. So now I'll only do maintenance on the parts that I ride frequently, which is a small section of my commute route. I hope it went better for you.
Sirrus Rider
02-10-08, 12:44 AM
My local MUP has a couple spots where stuff (mostly clay or gravel) have washed across the trail. I am tired of waiting for the city to come clean the trail so I decided if I want it cleaned I should do it myself. I built this shovel rack out of a 1x6, some screws, a U-bolt, and some conduit hangers. I need to replace the "stock" nuts on the U-bolt with wing nuts for ease of removing and resecuring the shovel but otherwise I think this setup should work out okay. Even my dog thinks this is a ridiculously great idea.
I'll try to get some "action shots" and before/after on the trail cleanup.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/IMG_0097.jpg
Rack on the bike
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/IMG_0099.jpg
Attached to the existing rack with conduit straps. I used some cut sections of tubing to increase the diameter of the rack bars. It's not perfect but it's what I had laying around and I don't intend to leave the rack on the bike as a perminate fixture anyway. I need to get some wing nuts to fasten the U-bolt.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/IMG_0100.jpg
This was the simplest solution I could come up with for securing the shovel 'blade'. Screwed and glued for the strongest hold.
I hope you like it.
You are a far more patient man than I. I would have just bungeed that head of the shovel to the rack with the handle out in trail with a red rag on it. I would the proceed to clean the trail and then submit a bill to the city for having to do their job..
PDXJeff
02-17-08, 10:11 PM
There used to be a window washer when I was a kid who had a PVC pole with a small wheel on the end that he used as a trailer. It was attached at the seat area and trailed behind at an angle (small wheel). He would lash all his window cleaning poles/brushes/squeegees to the PVC tube and hang his bucket behind the seat from the PVC tube (where there was more ground clearance). I'm sure it's not original but I've never seen anything else like it.
You could potentially haul all sorts of garden tools lashed to a pole trailer.