Got me one of these:
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/MiscBikePhotos/TheThing.jpg
It's a Worksman Front Loader Tricycle, actually. Think I'll just call it The Thing.
Bought it off Ebay. Maybe paid (Edited to correct spelling!) a bit too much, but they're sort of scarce, and generally local-pickup only, so you can be waiting a long time for one to pop up in your neighborhood.
This one has been rode hard and put up wet, so to speak. I don't know how old it is. It's missing the rear fender. The rear wheel is not the original Worksman wheel, although it seems fairly heavy. The coaster brake has a lot of slack, so you can actually run the pedals a full revolution before hitting the brake. The front platform is a metal angle frame with a plywood bottom. That plywood is in pretty crummy condition, and I'll try to replace it tomorrow. There has been some welding done on the frame, so I'm not sure what was done or why.
The platform measures 30"x34", I think. The frame actually has handle holes on two sides, so you can rotate it to be 30" wide or 34" wide. The 34" wide would give you a bit more knee room, the 30" is more likely to fit through doors. The plywood bottom of that platform just bolts to the springs, and it would be pretty simple to make any kind of homemade box or container or platform and bolt it up there.
These things can handle quite a bit of weight on the platform. However, that weight ideally needs to be pretty well centered over the front axle, as those springs are also the only thing that keep it from tilting front-to-back. It doesn't look to me like a good pedicab base.
The Thing is heavy. It's not that noticeable at first, because most of the weight is in the front. But, upon loading it in the Vue, I noticed the weight there.
Riding it is a very strange experience that takes some getting used to, but it sort of grows on you, too. On the one hand, you don't need to balance it like a bike, but on the other hand, you can't, and that gets irritating. So if you're on sloped ground, The Thing is going to lean, and you just have to deal with it. Riding it on a sloped shoulder of a road would get irritating, I can tell. I guess I was riding at maybe 8-10 mph maximum, maybe not that fast. But you have to slow down considerably for curves, and for a sharp corner, you almost have to stop. The steering is not stable like most bikes, and some minor bobbles (trying to ride with one hand, for example) can get you some fast back-and-forth oscillations. It is geared low (although I'm not sure if either front or back sprocket is original!), but I still had to hop off to push it up a sort 20% incline on the bike path. But on the longer less-steep inclines, no problem. The seat is down fairly low, not good for riding efficiency, but raising it would make the balance issue worse, so I'll likely leave it as is.
I rode this around the local bike path, about 3 miles. Got some odd stares, not odd like "Look, a unicycle!" stares, but odd like "What is that and why is that man riding it" stares. I shall have to make a trip or two to Wallyworld with it, which is fortunately within easy Thing range. I'm contemplating taking it on one of these group rides, and the more I think of that, the better I like the idea. :)
mstrpete
05-10-08, 12:38 AM
I can see the picnic basket and cooler on that platform, and you being the star of any group ride that way. Good score!
Sirrus Rider
05-10-08, 03:58 AM
Got me one of these:
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/MiscBikePhotos/TheThing.jpg
It's a Worksman Front Loader Tricycle, actually. Think I'll just call it The Thing.
Bought it off Ebay. Maybe payed a bit too much, but they're sort of scarce, and generally local-pickup only, so you can be waiting a long time for one to pop up in your neighborhood.
This one has been rode hard and put up wet, so to speak. I don't know how old it is. It's missing the rear fender. The rear wheel is not the original Worksman wheel, although it seems fairly heavy. The coaster brake has a lot of slack, so you can actually run the pedals a full revolution before hitting the brake. The front platform is a metal angle frame with a plywood bottom. That plywood is in pretty crummy condition, and I'll try to replace it tomorrow. There has been some welding done on the frame, so I'm not sure what was done or why.
The platform measures 30"x34", I think. The frame actually has handle holes on two sides, so you can rotate it to be 30" wide or 34" wide. The 34" wide would give you a bit more knee room, the 30" is more likely to fit through doors. The plywood bottom of that platform just bolts to the springs, and it would be pretty simple to make any kind of homemade box or container or platform and bolt it up there.
These things can handle quite a bit of weight on the platform. However, that weight ideally needs to be pretty well centered over the front axle, as those springs are also the only thing that keep it from tilting front-to-back. It doesn't look to me like a good pedicab base.
The Thing is heavy. It's not that noticeable at first, because most of the weight is in the front. But, upon loading it in the Vue, I noticed the weight there.
Riding it is a very strange experience that takes some getting used to, but it sort of grows on you, too. On the one hand, you don't need to balance it like a bike, but on the other hand, you can't, and that gets irritating. So if you're on sloped ground, The Thing is going to lean, and you just have to deal with it. Riding it on a sloped shoulder of a road would get irritating, I can tell. I guess I was riding at maybe 8-10 mph maximum, maybe not that fast. But you have to slow down considerably for curves, and for a sharp corner, you almost have to stop. The steering is not stable like most bikes, and some minor bobbles (trying to ride with one hand, for example) can get you some fast back-and-forth oscillations. It is geared low (although I'm not sure if either front or back sprocket is original!), but I still had to hop off to push it up a sort 20% incline on the bike path. But on the longer less-steep inclines, no problem. The seat is down fairly low, not good for riding efficiency, but raising it would make the balance issue worse, so I'll likely leave it as is.
I rode this around the local bike path, about 3 miles. Got some odd stares, not odd like "Look, a unicycle!" stares, but odd like "What is that and why is that man riding it" stares. I shall have to make a trip or two to Wallyworld with it, which is fortunately within easy Thing range. I'm contemplating taking it on one of these group rides, and the more I think of that, the better I like the idea. :)
Don't sweat the feel of it. What you felt is quite normal for a trike. You'll get used to it and will be whipping round corners like an Indy car in no time..:D
dwnptrl_777
05-10-08, 06:24 AM
Love it. And the name you've given this...Thing. Perfect.
StephenH
05-10-08, 02:34 PM
Got the deck plywood replaced, used 3/4" plywood, which was the same as what was in there.
And, filmed a test run with passenger (seems to work okay):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW6EeVbKS50
ticwanos
05-11-08, 05:16 AM
Lookin good! I do hope to see you on the road. It would make my day.
StephenH
05-11-08, 11:40 AM
Cool, another Garlandite! I go riding on the bike/hike paths by Duck Creek near the Audobon Park area. On unicycle, bicycle, or The Thing (only had it out once so far). On bike, I loop around some of the area neighborhoods as well. I can can ride via bike path to the Walmart at Broadway and I-30 and via mostly alleys and side streets to the Walmart Neighborhood Market at Wynn Joyce and Broadway.
In replacing the wood, I did see that the bearings in the front swivel were pretty well shot, so I've ordered some replacements from Worksman. They work similar to crank bearings on an Ashtabula crank, shouldn't be too hard to change out, except they haven't been touched in ages. WD 40 will be in order!
StephenH
05-11-08, 07:36 PM
Well, my son and I went out to White Rock Lake and took The Thing plus two unicycles, and made the 10 miles around the lake, about 80% of it with me on unicycle and him on The Thing. We tried me pedaling and him and the two unicyles on the front. Worked fine, but as we were going along, somebody back behind us started hollering "Nacho! Nacho! Nacho Libre!", etc. We got smoked by about ten thousand roadies, and got passed by the same handcyclist three times. Saw some cool recumbents and a couple of tandems along, too.
dwnptrl_777
05-12-08, 05:47 AM
Gotta say it again...that's a great score, StephenH.
BikeManDan
05-12-08, 09:22 PM
Cool trike
Seems opportune for a multi gear hub
StephenH
05-15-08, 11:13 PM
The transplant was successful. :)
Took the rear wheel off the old Huffy tandem, swapped it out for this rear wheel, kept the same tire and rear sprocket. That gives me a better functioning coaster brake without spinning the pedals one ore more full turns in reverse before anything happens.
And I just signed up for the 16 mile Wild Ride in Richardson. Should take about two hours. :)
dwnptrl_777
05-16-08, 04:30 AM
And I just signed up for the 16 mile Wild Ride in Richardson. Should take about two hours. :)
But think of the snacks you can haul! Dude! It'll be like a cornucopia on wheels!
spambait11
05-16-08, 08:39 AM
Next time you're on your uni, wear a garish rodie kit and use clipless pedals. That way no one will be confused.
(I also agree that trikes are the pits on slopes, esp. with something that heavy.)
StephenH
05-17-08, 03:13 PM
Did the Wild Ride this morning, right at two hours with maybe a ten minute rest stop, went pretty well. Some minor hills (for this area) so I got more of a workout than I expected, but in a good way.
And added some sides. They are attached to each other, but not to the base, so they can just be lifted out:
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/MiscBikePhotos/TheThing-2.jpg
dwnptrl_777
05-17-08, 04:01 PM
I love your Thing. If you know what I mean. :o
Nightshade
05-18-08, 10:20 AM
You can make a huge improvement to this trike just by swapping in a
shimano 3sp coaster brake hub and a small 23t chainring.
This is the set up on my Worksman PAV and it makes the trike much more
fun, and easier, to ride.
StephenH
06-27-08, 10:29 PM
Just got done with some Thing work. I stained the deck and sideboards to a darker color. They're not cabinet-quality or anything, but looks a little neater. I added front reflectors to the front axle under the box, added a rear reflector to the seatpost, added wheel reflectors on the rear wheel. And replaced the seat with a Worksman seat off Ebay. I didn't realize it, but this trike uses a solid seatpost where the part that goes in the seat is only 1/2" diameter or so, unlike my Worksman bike. And several weeks ago, I got a rear fender in, and put it on. I put a bid in on a couple of Worksman wheels on Ebay, but got beat out on them.
Oh, I got the bearings in for the front swivel, wanted to get the parts before I tore into it. But then when I took it apart, the bearings that were in there looked fine. They were bone dry and dirty and loose, but didn't look worn or anything. So I just cleaned 'em up, greased 'em good, put them back in, and adjusted the doohingy so there's not any slop. Should be ready to go now.
I was looking at maybe going to the Waxahachie ride, but it says the 20 mile and longer routes are on roads with no shoulders, and the in-town route is only 10 miles, so maybe not. Maybe I'll make a trip to Walmart tomorrow with it. It's pretty well ready to roll now.
AllenG
06-27-08, 10:42 PM
Dude, no pics? Foul.
Sounds sweet. Congrats on a cool ride.
StephenH
06-27-08, 11:12 PM
It was dark when I got done! I didn't figure a flash shot would look that good. I'll try to take a shot if I go to Walmart tomorrow with it, for the "grocery run" thread.
Sirrus Rider
06-27-08, 11:34 PM
But think of the snacks you can haul! Dude! It'll be like a cornucopia on wheels!
No Kidding! He could be the HPV refreshment station! :lol:
I took it out for a test run and photo shoot. Seems to be doing fine.
One thing I need to fix, though, is that the sideboards are not attached to the baseboard. I did that on purpose so that I could take them out to carry different stuff. Only they rattle. So either some rubber bumpers or some screws are in order.
Maiden voyage for working, so to speak. Took a run to Walmart for some groceries, got a pretty good load. Start putting it on that platform and that platform looks smaller! Glad I got the sideboards on it. I did have some little angle brackets and that took care of the rattling.
I just bought a little ice chest for $1.47 there at Walmart for the milk and stuff. I didn't have any way to keep the lid from blowing off, so I put my U-lock on top and hooked it through the handles of several of the bags, and that worked just fine. There is one little rise coming back to the house here, and I was able to make it up that okay. I can see how the models with the big cabinet would work pretty well.
Tightwad, in response to your suggestion on the gearing, it looks like this will be workable as currently set up for my loads and location. If I had longer hills or steeper hills or heavier loads, I'd need to do something different. I don't really need it geared any higher as it just doesn't normally need to go that fast.
You can make a huge improvement to this trike just by swapping in a
shimano 3sp coaster brake hub and a small 23t chainring.
This is the set up on my Worksman PAV and it makes the trike much more
fun, and easier, to ride.
I may have a use for one of those. I've never heard of such a critter! How is it shifted? By backpeddling like the old Bendix two speed, or is there a small handlebar mounted shifter?
StephenH
06-28-08, 08:06 PM
I think the Worksman 3-speeds just use a little lever on the handlebars with cable back to the rear hub. At least on the bikes and the PAV, which has handlebars like a bike. It could be a bit different here due to the greater movement in the platform. But mine is a single speed.
AllenG
06-28-08, 08:48 PM
Stephen, congrats, that has become a fantastic craft.
Cody Broken
06-28-08, 11:49 PM
I am envious. Rock on man.
dwnptrl_777
06-29-08, 05:15 AM
Love your Thing all the more. It just looks...happy. Or something like that.
Thanks for the updates.
kevbo
08-23-08, 02:29 PM
Regarding Coaster Brake 3 sp IGHs:
I may have a use for one of those. I've never heard of such a critter! How is it shifted? By backpeddling like the old Bendix two speed, or is there a small handlebar mounted shifter?
I spent my teenage year delivering papers using a Strumey Archer version. It was handy as I could be flinging papers with both hands while controling speed with my feet. What sucked is it had the nasty habit of finding a neutral under heavy pedaling. Wonder I'm not sterile it is!
I have a Shimano Nexus version on a motored bike, and it is a huge improvement over the SA...lower losses, better shifting, and no neutral. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.
The SA shifts via the typical chain pulled rod (indicator spindle I think SA calls it) and the Shimano has a push-rod and a bell-crank instead of the pull chain. The Shimano comes with grip shifter, but I am using a front triple derailleur thumb lever. The push-rod has an over-travel spring in it, so if you set it for the correct position in 2nd, first and third are not critical at all.
The only down-side is that like all coaster brake bikes, you can't back-pedal to position the cranks for a good start. Use the front brake for the last part of the stop, so you end up with the cranks ready to go.
Shimano used to make a 4 sp version, you might find one of those, and I think they might even make an 8 sp. with a coaster brake. I've been into the 3 and 4 speeds, and the brake is roller acutuated, not the wedge type typical of coaster brakes. I don't recall how the SA was done.
Sianelle
08-23-08, 05:50 PM
On my own tricycle I really love my Sachs Duo-matic coaster brake :) I did have a 3 speed SA with coaster brake fitted at first and it did work well, but for my purposes being able to brake and change gear with my feet wins out over having the extra gear ratio.
The very first time I rode down to the township on my tricycle I wondered what I'd struck, but it didn't take me long to get the hang of it. These days I can drift through a corner at speed with just the right amount of body lean and think nothing of it; - not that I do that sort of thing very often :innocent:
The 'Thing' is marvellous, Stephen may you both do many miles together :thumb:
somebikerider
08-23-08, 06:57 PM
Wow, it looks beautiful! Although I have to tell you that they have about a zillion of them in Egypt, Lebanon and most of the far east (I am sure a lot of other places too but that is where I have seen them) and they would probably laugh their asses off at you for babying one of them.
StephenH
08-23-08, 08:52 PM
This is probably true. I'd also like to get a pedicab just for fun. But I was doing some reading about that market, and it seems in India, that a pedicab driver is just the lowest-of-the-low, economically. They also have similar front loaders in Europe, although I'm not sure how common they are.
StephenH
09-01-08, 05:56 PM
Update- I just took "The Thing" on its longest ride yet, about 23 miles- see post here:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=460708
In looking back through here, I see "I still had to hop off to push it up a sort 20% incline on the bike path." in the original post. I've since ridden up this incline several times with no problem. You just have to hit with a good running start.
moore.sean
09-01-08, 07:28 PM
Your thing is cool!
If you look on the workman site you have the "high industrial" trike. I would think the load would ride better with the "low" springs. I'm sure workman wants an arm and a leg for the springs but those look suspiciously like regular old leaf springs bent a lot. A local spring shop may be able to make you a pair for less than you think.
AllenG
09-01-08, 07:41 PM
Actually Worksman's prices are quite reasonable.
StephenH
09-01-08, 09:47 PM
If you'll notice on the Worksman site, the axle length is different on the two models as well as the springs. And if I remember right, the spring assembly is welded to the axle, so you'd pretty much have to change out half the vehicle to make that switch. The longer axle would also help the handling some, I think. But in any case, I didn't select it one way or the other, this is just the model I found. Since then, I've only seen one other for sale in this area, and it was the kind with the big cabinet (delivery cabinet, not the ice cream model).
Condorita
09-01-08, 10:21 PM
You know these:Pedal=bicycle, petal=flower, peddle=sell
Brake=slow down, break=bust
but don't know that the past tense of pay is paid?
Jerry in So IL
09-01-08, 10:26 PM
Great ride!
I'm wanting one of the pedicabs as well. I think it would be cool taking the Young Prince to school and picking him up on it. Althought the wife and two Princess, now teenagers, almost die at the thought of such a beast. They might all move out if I actually made them ride in it.....hmmm
I see that they make a single seat version fo the pedicab. Wish they had a one seater and some more cargo area. I hate to have to buy a trailer also for Wally World trips.
Speaking of trailers, have you thought to getting one for Thing?
Jerry
StephenH
09-01-08, 11:07 PM
"but don't know that the past tense of pay is paid?"
I plead guilty. Actually, I did notice that as I was reading back through there earlier. I went back and fixed it just now, didn' t know I could edit it this much later. I've been known to have problems with laid/layed too. And its/it's for that matter.
Something else I notice as I get older is that I'll use the wrong word even when I know the right one. I'll type up a post, read back through it, and have to fix two or three things in it.
As for a trailer on The Thing- the thought has crossed my mind only as something humorous to do. With a load of groceries, it's about all I can do to make it up one little hill on the way home. With a trailer, I'd need multiple gears.
moore.sean
09-02-08, 12:34 PM
If you'll notice on the Worksman site, the axle length is different on the two models as well as the springs. And if I remember right, the spring assembly is welded to the axle, so you'd pretty much have to change out half the vehicle to make that switch. The longer axle would also help the handling some, I think. But in any case, I didn't select it one way or the other, this is just the model I found. Since then, I've only seen one other for sale in this area, and it was the kind with the big cabinet (delivery cabinet, not the ice cream model).