Animal Power?

Animals are used to pull carts and plows, and to drive water pumps historically, and today in the 3rd World.

Just speculating, but I wonder if one could create a rig for a mule or ox to drive a dynamo for electricity/charging? I imagine you could set up a boom from a central dynamo out to attach to a harness, and have the animal move in circles (alternating direction periodically, so the animal doesn't develop a bad gait from only going one direction).

Human power can only put out about 200W max. Geared right, I wonder how much a walking ox could do?

Kevin

This method has been used to produce electricity, grind grain, pump water and mix cob. The issue is always finding a way to keep the animal moving. Usually a kid with a whip is given this task.

I imagine that a cog wheel could be set up so that a small quantity of grain could be dispensed at regular intervals. Rodents and monkeys have learned to repeat tasks for a food reward.

I think this is interesting, if you have access to a suitable treadmill.



We also have one of these things, which might be of interest to see how the gearing and stuff works. It's for raising water but some of the ideas might be applicable.