A stupid simple hand cart for hauling gear

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

Yikes that doesn't sound fun. The UPHILL Assist mechanism will work if you PUSH the crossbar uphill and if you PULL the crossbar uphill. Like you mentioned though, it wont work if your going downhill (although we are going to look at this one more time before production, we might be able to incorporate a partial brake). I highly recommend anyone intending to go downhill with the Polymule to first "get outside of it" and let it roll down in front of you while holding on to the handle. That way if you do loose control of it, your not going to get run over.

 

I've seen a system that is a bar across the handle that is a spring loaded brake so that as you release it on the grip the brake is engaged.
It could be cable controlled so that it does not interfere with how the handle is manipulated in the cart.
To me this might be more equitable than the cog gear system .
Real brakes too would add the feature of feathering so the assent or decent can be maneuvered making the brakes work for you no matter which direction your going negotiating odd terrain , and not having to stop and change things in transit. Since you have no suspension the brakes can be simple Much like a Conestoga with rubbing blocks on the wheels .

 

Hydraulics in stead of cable is a great idea.

 

If you knew the punishment mountain bikes endure especially on down hill racing ,you'd choose hydraulic over cable too.

 

All good suggestions. I see us providing some kind of downhill brake. If we can't work it out in the current design, we will likely make it an "ADD-on Kit". I personally would want one but many consumers would rarely use it and therefore it doesn't make sense to include it as a standard kit.

Thanks for your ongoing interest. Learn more about Polymule here: POLYMULE: The All-Terrain Cart With Uphill Assist

 

Much as I like bicycle braking systems ,the simplistic rubbing block is more practical to fit in the design of the cart as it stands .
Provide it as an add on . or in place of the wheel cog .
Face it ,If the cog is all you've got and you stumble down hill the cart continues on it's way .
If you have a braking system dependent on holding onto the cart, and you stumble , it stops the moment you let go, or it might even assist you in preventing a fall.
I may implement this feature on my own unit.

 

The brake design we are considering incorporates the idea of a "dead-mans brake". Which like you mentioned, if you are to "let go" it immediately locks up. If you let go a little bit, it acts like a brake.

 

Mine has 4 wheels but primarily only the big wheels do the work, the 2 smaller wheels are only for stationary positions for loading an unloading .
I realize that your handle is used for vertical stationary stabilization however if the handle was separated so one side stayed ready for use and the other could be in the stable position things like doing gardening would require less manipulation .
If of course there is a long treck the handles could be joined for the journey .

 

Quick update on the product campaign for the Polymule cart. They are currently 99% funded on Indiegogo. Basically, this means they will go into production. There are 6 days left if you want to get in on the introductory pricing.

POLYMULE: The All-Terrain Cart With Uphill Assist

 

I am not the owner nor am I associated with the company. In fact, I've never met them before. I just wanted to gather people's feedback as well as see the product come to fruition. A typical person would spend much more money on a similar product if they were to do it themselves, not to mention the time invested. Maybe @Polymule can chime in on that one.

But, I do know that one of the first things they are working on is a 4-wheeler hitch attachment. The campaign did hit its funding goal today and will go into production soon.

 

i just ask you this. Do you know anyone that has one? This is a scam. Years ago this was at expos and lots of promises were made. No carts were delivered. Now they are back and people are falling for the scam again

 

Polymule - RESERVE NOW

I guess they do these in batches. The site videos are worthless as they are all shown in static positions, not in use.

How about getting the real deal?

Mormon Hand Cart - Amish Wares
$900 USD but has steel wheels, square axle and bearings. See link for full description. 4X4X1 foot beds.

The 'real carts came in more than one size...

 

You can build them yourselves using plans from Mother Earth News, Popular Mechanics, and Popular Science, for a LOT less!