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A useful resource from Australia |
severine |
Friday, February 14, 2014 - 10:29pm |
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Bike Powered Root Washer v 2.0 |
Heron Botanicals |
Friday, February 14, 2014 - 3:07am |
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top-loading design |
negative_one_twelfth |
Thursday, February 13, 2014 - 10:36pm |
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Would love the plans too! |
farmerrob |
Wednesday, February 12, 2014 - 3:51pm |
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How does it work? |
Bill |
Wednesday, February 12, 2014 - 8:50am |
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Your suggestions are needed this weekend for the Food Systems Hackathon at the NOFA-VT Winter Conference |
R.J. Steinert |
Tuesday, February 11, 2014 - 1:51pm |
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Farm Hack and RAFI in MAKE Magazine, Shareable.net |
Rural Advanceme... |
Monday, February 10, 2014 - 6:31pm |
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Ability to embed imgur albums into tool wikis |
DGrover |
Thursday, February 6, 2014 - 12:33pm |
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feedback requested on this design |
DGrover |
Thursday, February 6, 2014 - 11:18am |
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Broken Link @ consider "subscribing to this forum" |
DGrover |
Thursday, February 6, 2014 - 10:33am |
You'll need something to convert the sensor signal to serial data so it could be sent over the XBee's modem.
Unless you're just sending 1 bit of info, in which case you can use the DTR pin on the XBee. This would probably work for preset alarm info.
The original plan has us capturing the time the packet arrives (which we can do on the beaglebone because the clock is 700MHz), but we can't capture the time of departure from the tag.
Hmmm. Do we really need the departure time?
I really like the idea of having classifieds. Although I think it would be best to exclude companies from submitting things for sell, just let it be individuals.
Pedal powered seeder... http://www.rngr.net/publications/tpn/42-3/42_3_9_12.pdf - see the pdf document download
Pedal powered grass cutters... http://www.treehugger.com/bikes/the-cutting-edge-bicycle-lawnmowing.html they're more for cutting lawns but maybe there's potential for making a brush cutter or sickle scythe mower by crossing it with this... http://www.yardsickle.com/
Pedal powered harvesting and general utility machine... http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1IvQ7Ch71vVG3ZRTlzC5OA.
This is a great book on pedal power in work, leisure and transport, now out of print but downloadable for free... http://www.letsremake.info/library_2.html#peda
Finally found some specs, and it looks like the oscillator on the Chronodot is only 23.768KHz. I believe we'll need at least 300MHz for 1 meter accuracy. So, even if the SQW on the Chronodot (a.k.a. Maxim DS3232) rises at the start of a second, it won't be accurate enough for us. Sigh.
The GPS has arrived and I verified its operation on the beaglebone.
Also, Ben Smith (from CCOM at UNH, and an old sailing buddy) has joined the project and briefed me on the PPS (Pulse Per Second) signal provided by most GPS's. Since, to keep cost of the "roving radios" down, we won't have much computational ability on the rovers (if any); rovers == cattle ear tags.
I've noted that the chronodot has something similar to the PPS, but I don't know if it is tied to the "start of the second" like it is on most GPS devices. Iif it is, and if it gives us sufficient accuracy, then we can use it for sub-meter accuracy. (I'd really like to have 1-inch accuracy, but I'm willing to give up on that somewhat.) The chronodot is low power and relatively temperature insensitive, and we can probably get it to shut down every few seconds to improve the power consumption.
I think the next steps are: 1. Prototype an "ear tag" rover with an XBee, battery, and chronodot. 2. Verify the rover can talk, over the XBee, to an anchor (Beaglebone with GPS and XBee).
If you have the space to store materials, older implements at auctions go for $50-300 each in my area, full of thousands of pounds of quality steel, fasteners, U-bolts, and hydraulics.
Our shop has a welder, drill press, pedestal grinder, chop saw, hand grinders, oxyacetylene torches, die grinders, and hand tools. We repair and fabricate a lot of equipment with these simple tools. The chop saw and hand grinders with the thin cutting wheels are great metal cutting tools. We rarely use the torches for cutting metal anymore. A welding table is a great addition to the shop. We just use a 24"x36"x3/8" piece of plate laid on a pair of horses. It allows us to set up jigs with a few clamps and scrap steel, and set up work without a ground clamp.
I've been thinking about a harvest/weeding cart for working in a prone position over a row. There are mechanized harvesters that place farmworkers on a platform, but I'd like to make a human powered version.
Here are some initial resources: the University of Wisconsin's specialized harvest cart for greens (http://bse.wisc.edu/hfhp/tipsheets_html/cart.htm http://ergo.engr.wisc.edu/proj05.htm) and some research done at UC Davis' UC AERC lab (http://nasdonline.org/document/1927/d001873/stooped-and-squatting-postures-in-the-workplace-july.html).
Mechanized harvest platforms: http://www.pendragonfabrication.com/pages/drangen.html Wunda Weeder from Australia (their website has been removed?) http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20010618-1.html
Hello Again from the mildly ancient world,
There are, of course many examples. Some of these actually give more than jut a mechanical description or example, but plans for their construction as well. A Comprehensive list would take several years to compile exclusive of newly emerging material. I can, however, give a place to start looking.
Google Books is a wonderful thing. Look for the Following texts:
Mortimer, John. The Whole Art of Husbandry (London, UK: 1708) = The illustrations of tools, and especially the Persian Wheels start on pages 43, 48, 64, 103, 138, 283, and many others. Further, those looking for feed formulas will find them in the same text, with recommendations for cures to all sorts of distempers of farm critters. Truly an awesome book, and My Go-To source for any Agricultural Questions I get at my site.
Bowler, Metcalf. Treatise on Practical Agriculture and Practical Husbandry. (Providence, RI: 1786) = Similar to Mortimer, but geared to North American issues. Also, a good study of the effects of the Drill Plow (a mechanical planting apparatus) on improving yields.
Letters and papers on Agriculture, Planting, Etc. Vol. II (Bath, UK: 1783) = Lots of information here, in each volume, on every subject.
The Repertory of Arts and Manufactures, Various Volumes (London, UK: Various Dates 1790s) = Great stuff of all natures for the late 18th to early 19th century.
Have fun looking and building.
More to the point of my original question, Had you thought of using Ancient Mill Technology? Granary Designs? Irrigation Systems? Plows? Feed Formulas? Animal Medications? Hand Tools? Pesticides? Did these sources, or any others, for that matter, occur to you as a viable way to find what you were looking for?
I am curious, intrigued, and expecting to start a farm with my brother at some juncture based on the idea of a proofing-ground for these artifacts as they apply to the modern world. I think they could handily solve a few problems for us in an inexpensive, easily built and operated manner.
Hi Steve,
I was curious as to whether you have a list of these resources and if so, would you be willing to share them with this community? It would be helpful if you could even point us in the right direction.
Thanks, Audrey
My name is Audrey Berman and I am starting an organization called DB CO-OP with some other folks in Brooklyn, NY, where we incubate ideas that revolve around human powered devices (static and mobile) and alternative energies. The process we embody is research / design / prototype. Currently we are working on a family of human-powered devices for a group of urban composters in NYC. These various organizations have reached a limit with the hands tools they are using, and are intersted in scaling up their operation without the use of non-renewable resources. Our goal is to design and fabricate five devices, using these composting operations as our testers, for feedback and critique. Once we are satisfied with our designs, we hope to fabricate small production runs, using re-appropiated and re-used materials when applicable. You can see more of what we are doing here: http://www.dbco-op.org/.
I am also helping to organize the FarmHack Brooklyn slated for November 10th and 11th. Will have more information on that soon!
My interest in sustainable farming started 3 years ago while WWOOFing in Italy and Upstate NY. My experiences on the farms were nothing short of mind blowing, and the daily work was so rewarding and meaningful. The relationships I formed with the commnuties were real, honest, and founded upon common goals and desires to do the hard work that is ultimately going to make our world better in so many ways. I hope to one day have a shared communal farm. And I'm thrilled to be working with Greenhorns!
Ciao, Audrey
I purchased two XBee's, a beaglebone and their various accessories for development. Two XBee's are required to check the timing algorithm between a "cow" and one of the anchor points, one of the XBee's will be on the beaglebone (acting as an anchor point with a GPS), and another will be on my laptop/workstation (acting as a cow).
At this stage of development, we're only concerned with getting the various components checked out and writing any low-end software required to interact with the hardware components.
I've looked at the XBee specs, and although the power requirements for the Series 2 are in line with our needs, I suspect we'll need to add a high-resolution clock to the XBee to get sufficient accuracy in distance measurement. And I'm really concerned about weight and power draw - don't forget, these things have to be small enough to fit on an ear tag or (at most) a collar.
I've got the GPS on backorder.
Thanks! That's exactly what I needed. We'll update with photos and progress as the project gets started.
That is great news. Please take and post pictures (or any CAD drawings) of the process and any issues you may encounter, and list yourself as a fabricator for this tool if you would like to. I wouldn't be surprised if others would be interested in ordering. For image size, If you click on the images - on the lower right corner you can click to expand the image to fill the screen. You can also click "edit wiki" to access the image source and click to open the image in a new tab or window. You should then be able to download or print from that. If that doesn't work, let me know. I will also post a suggestion to make it easier to download images for printing.
Interesting idea Jeff. As a beginning farmer running a diversified farm (pigs, chickens, orchard, vegetables (field and high tunnel production), and plant/flower sales) our needs vary depending on the crop and whether its communicating with a wholesale or retail customer, and of course there is seasonal variation. I would speculate that FarmHack participants will have an equally wide range of needs as well...and should make for a very interesting conversation.
One issue with using a belt drive is that the forces on the drive output shaft will be increased in order to create enough grip. The shaft will have to drive the belt, AND hold enough tension to grip. As long as this is considered, it's a good idea, but too much load on a marginally designed shaft will shorten its life.
We're building this unit now in Maine, and I'll post more info as it unfolds. We expect to be using it mid August. We're going with agricultural chain. The protruding screws and nuts on the original worked ok to engage the chain, but the shape of them was a problem. I think using rounded acorn nuts will keep them from snagging and causing the mentioned problems. We'll soon find out.
The rings can be rolled locally, and the quote I got was $54 each, which is high, but if they're correctly made, they'll run true and last forever.
The locals are timber framers and we've got some locust stock, so this washer might become a real work of art. If I could find a bronze gearbox....
I think you're on to something with the washer being partially suspended by the drive belt. It could have the same result on friction as bottom mounted drive wheel. It would need to be a really strong belt and pulely/drive shaft, the weights can be considerable. It would keep the motor located above to help keep it dry as well. What would receive the belt on the barrel? The bolts as chainring teeth need upgrade for sure.
I also like the idea of using locally harvested wood for the barrel. Locust grows fast and is incredibly rot resistant. A bunch of saplings could be used without any milling, just attach to the rings. The rings would remain a big expense, though.
That is an interesting idea... I kind of like the idea of figuring out manufacturing myself but maybe this could definitely be a good option if/when I find out I've bitten off more than I can chew!
I'd look into selling these through kippkitts: http://kippkitts.com/ Kipp is a great guy, has manufacturing and distribution partners lined up, and shares profit 50/50 with the designer. Could be a quick way to get going without a lot of investment.
Good Luck
Look forward to those. I might have interest in that rain barrel supplied automatic irrigation system for my home!
The datalogging shield from Adafruit includes an integrated circuit that provides a Real-Time Clock (RTC). It gets the current time when you upload code. It will use the coin battery to maintain accurate time when the shield is not getting powered.
If you notice that the time isn't being kept properly, it may be the coin battery that doesn't have a decent contact. I had that problem because I didn't put a significant enough blob on the circuit board. Let me know if you are having any issues and I can help you troubleshoot!
The datalogging shield from Adafruit includes an integrated circuit that provides a Real-Time Clock (RTC). It gets the current time when you upload code. It will use the coin battery to maintain accurate time when the shield is not getting powered.
If you notice that the time isn't being kept properly, it may be the coin battery that doesn't have a decent contact. I had that problem because I didn't put a significant enough blob on the circuit board. Let me know if you are having any issues and I can help you troubleshoot!
My girlfriend sent me a link to the site yesterday, we are excited to contribute some projects of ours including a bike powered compost sifter and a rain barrel supplied rooftop automatic irrigation system.
Indeed! Seems like a good design alternative for those that don't have easy cell phone access. I think also warrants a spot in the documentation at least as a note for now. Perhaps somebody will implement it and provide a little tutorial!
Good point!
I think that would be nice to include in the tutorial. I can write it up when I have a minute unless you'd like to.
PS: Welcome to the community!
I'd think just the electric motor system would suffice as the basic works. Brakes are inherent when you stop the current, variable speed is a given without a tranny. Electric Wheel chair motors/powertrain are a bit underpowered, but it's an idea for a seeder or a planter or utility rig.
Are used BCS components easy to come by?
The folks up here want a root washer as a shared community tool. I've agreed to put one together and this is the only one I've seen up close to date. It is claimed to work well, with some of the comments above noted.
I also wonder if the materials can be upgraded. This one uses Aluminum channel for the structure...durable, but expensive..non-sustainable. How about a rot resistant local wood like white oak or locust? White pine heartwood is pretty good. Cedar is very good. Using a hardwood would increase cost and weight, but would reduce wear issues from the grit/tumbling parts. Maybe a periodic replacement is part of the design. We've got wood.
A drive wheel would work, but needs trial to see if it slips. Top mounted drive stays reasonably dry, but does not benefit from gravity to maintain friction. Needs further tinkering. A combination conveyor drive and barrel rotator is an idea. Odd angles, tho'.
It looks like the variable speed control is a good thing. Motor and controller as shown is about $550.
I don't know about bristles. Maybe available in strips and secured inside?
Great site and project!
I'm building one, based on an example of a near identical unit as shown here. The one here has a Baldor GP7405 drive with the chain rig. Looks like a 1" pitch ag chain driven by a 14 tooth sprocket. Motor output (variable) is listed as 68 rpm Right, it does snag on the protruding screws. Maybe without those screws it would slip.
A belt could work, with the drive on a pivot base and a spring for tension. V-Belt like a 5V or a C size would be robust and give enough grip under low tension.
Has anyone ever experimented with a belt drive. If the motor remains on top, the barrel could be partially suspended by the belt thus providing adequate friction. Also, what motors/gear reducers are you all using?