I've reached a stage where I'm now struggling moving barrows of logs, compost etc. around. I've been looking at electric wheelbarrows, but nothing really takes my fancy. I'm now thinking of buying a used mobility scooter and using that as the basis of a garden cart. The major modification would be to reverse the steering arm so that it became pedestrian controlled, (I'm assuming the existing speed control would enable it to travel at walking pace,) and then mounting a box/cage on top in place of the seat. Can anyone think of any major problems I may have in doing that?
Unusual question for Mobility Scooter users.
- Thread starter emjaiuk
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Granny might be a bit peeved at being left stranded at the bottom of the garden...
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You'll need to use it on decent surfaces as I doubt that the small wheels would grip well on wet or muddy ground.
Jaws
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My only advice would be make sure what you get has 2.5 or 3" x 4 wheels ( they are the large looking blow up type ) as a minimum
It aint gonna be cheap.. Even a non runner with wrecked plastics and duff batteries average about £100
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That's cheap compared to off the shelf electric barrows. I'd be looking for one with large wheels.
TheBig1
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The principle of what you want to do would work very well. Get rid of the seat and the centre of gravity is nice and low. Reverse the handlebars, which is simple and you can drive it at walking pace. I move scooters around without sitting on them every day and once you get the knack, it's very easy
I have given away scooters with trashed plastics many times, so there are freebies about.
I have given away scooters with trashed plastics many times, so there are freebies about.
Jaws
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Where was you last year when I was looking for two !!!!
Geo
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I would suggest a nice garden trailer with a single wheeled caravan / trailer mover
Like these that can be simply clamped to the draw bar.
A much cheaper alternative that wont need expensive batteries
Like these that can be simply clamped to the draw bar.
A much cheaper alternative that wont need expensive batteries
DumfriesDik
Free Member
It sounds a bit Top Gear-esk. A great use of an old scooter. Mind you, you may find towing a garden trolley behind it more convenient?!
Forgot to say, post a photo of the creation please!
Forgot to say, post a photo of the creation please!
TheBig1
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I gave 2 away last year when clearing my shed, which you would have been most welcome to
Jaws
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Bugger !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Geo
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I have a spare V8 when you get the chassis sorted
icantremember
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Ha ha .. the image just went through my thoughts of you and Maurene riding one each all the way back from Dorset.
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Jaws
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Be as good as any other electric vehicle will all the stops to recharge !!!!Ha ha .. the image just went through my thoughts of you and Maurene riding one each all the way back from Dorset.
No mobility scooters have a diff lock so they are crap off road.
due to having a diff it very easily gets stuck, even in the dry, if one of the driven wheels gets lifted slightly due to terrain. It also has limited ground clearance and has to avoid water / rain. Snow and mud are definitely off limits !
Exceed the load rating and the main fuses pop
due to having a diff it very easily gets stuck, even in the dry, if one of the driven wheels gets lifted slightly due to terrain. It also has limited ground clearance and has to avoid water / rain. Snow and mud are definitely off limits !
Exceed the load rating and the main fuses pop
Jaws
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LOL ! If anyone can mod one to use as a barrow I should think welding up the dif would be a bit of wee wee
Andddd.....every scoot I have played with that has the bigger wheels has a capacity of at least 25 stone ( 350lbs ) which is a LOT more than the average user of a garden cart is likely to load
Why avoid water ? You do not see scoots grinding to a halt every time it rains....
We have several at the airport in Perth which folk use to tow their aircraft out of the hangar.
A few years ago we raced them up the runway. One “driver/pilot” was dressed as the Stig. Great use for old mobility scooters
A few years ago we raced them up the runway. One “driver/pilot” was dressed as the Stig. Great use for old mobility scooters
Google ‘three wheel powered carp fishing barrows’ which I think will give you exactly what you want.
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Well I finally bought one, can anyone identify it please. I THINK it's a Deluxe Model S-889NR but I'm only going on appearence. Most motor components have an individual part number, but no sign of scooter id.
I actually bought it at the beginning of summer, but I've not had time to do much so far.
I've now got a problem with it. At the weekend I thought I'd take down to the end of the garden where there's a private car park, and let the grandkids have a go on it. No problem driving it down there, but when I went to move it again there was only one brief point on the lever (wigwag?) where current flowed, and then that stopped. there is now no apparent power at all in forward, although reverse works perfectly. Do I need a new throttle assembly, or can I just replace the pot? How do I identify the type I need.
Any help gratefully received
I've now got a problem with it. At the weekend I thought I'd take down to the end of the garden where there's a private car park, and let the grandkids have a go on it. No problem driving it down there, but when I went to move it again there was only one brief point on the lever (wigwag?) where current flowed, and then that stopped. there is now no apparent power at all in forward, although reverse works perfectly. Do I need a new throttle assembly, or can I just replace the pot? How do I identify the type I need.
Any help gratefully received
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Jaws
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Errrr.. What about the rather large 'SHOP RIDER' on the back !
You can indeed just replace the pot
If you unsolder the wires at each end and measure the pot with a multimeter at those points it that will give you the resistance, and then you just have to be sure you get a linear and not logarithmic pot ( RS Components might not be the cheapest but they are good quality )
Yes there are limits, but you should see where I take mine and I do push the boundaries.
DumfriesDik
Free Member
Check that the motor is definitely engaged. If the yellow leaver gets knocked slightly, it can cause problems. Take it out of drive, give it a push, put it back in drive.
I should have said 'I THINK it's a SHOPRIDER Deluxe Model S-889NR but I'm only going on appearance' There seem to be an awful lot of Shop rider models, which one is mine?
I'll try that, but it works perfectly in reverse
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