The Low Tech Magazine Pushcart

The folks at LowTech Magazine had the chance to build a pushcart. It is gorgeous. It has steering brakes like a tractor. As well as headlights and tail lights. The body is made of strips of wood so there are lots of places to tie things down. And it has handles so that it can be carried like a stretcher.

I used to have a homemade pushcart just for farm use. It could carry a dog crate full of chickens or other things and I agree with the author of the article that they are underappreciated.

Comments in case someone decides to build one based on the images:
1. On our farm, we prefer for the wheel to be supported on both sides if possible. That said, I have an old running cart I adapted to hold feed buckets, and have a derelict dog stroller, that don't have the wheels supported on the outside (our ancient Burley bike trailer that carries 2 children up to 100 lbs total, does have outer supports, but its bottom isn't flat, so it doesn't easily adapt to use as a pushcart.)

2. If you're only ever transporting things in boxes and reliably can tie things down so they can't shift, the design works, but on my homemade one, I quickly ended up putting a shield between the flat surface and the wheel. It didn't quite go to the top of the wheel, but it was enough to stop things from getting into the spokes.

3. I *really* like the adjustable blocks to keep the platform level. I'm not sure how easy they are in real life to adjust while making sure the cart doesn't tip in the meantime, but it is very important to have something that fills that need.

4. I will also agree that good metal working tools and skills would be valuable if you want to build something similar. Having bicycle style holders for the wheels so you can easily loosen and drop them out when you get a flat is totally worth the time spent manufacturing custom ones as much as it's a pain. If you do enclose the wheel, make sure you leave enough of a gap to be able to slide the wheel back to release it. Custom supports for the handle would also be very helpful - ideally a way to adjust for significantly different heights, and it's important that it be at the correct angle so that you can push the cart comfortably.

ETA: I have seen a bike trailer made from old aluminium crutches that could easily be worked as a push cart. Again, one would need good metalworking skills. It's sort of in my dreams, but I need a workshop first!

When I picture my retirement, I often picture myself picking a handcart around my neighborhood.
I already have limited access to vehicles, so a lot of moving materials around the corner to my second yard has been accomplished by  hand.
I currently have a best down bike trailer that I use, pulling it by hand.
I have built a chick-shaw as part of trying to comply with my cities chicken ordinances, which thankfully have changed.
I was not satisfied when I was done, but I learned a lot while doing it.

Wheelchairs are in relatively short supply compared to bicycles.
If you choose to support teach wheel on both side, making a cart with bicycle wheels is fairly simple.
With the use of an angle grinder the bike itself can donate the wheel holders, or they can be made of scrap steel, and either way, bolted to the carts structure.

I also think protecting the cargo from the wheel is important.
It doesn't add much weight, since the material needs to be stiff but doesn't need to be load bearing.

I think adding electric power makes sense if you live anywhere that's not flat.
A single powered wheel mounted in the rear, might be ideal.
This would allow it to be engaged/disengaged by the driver simply by pressing up or down.
It could probably be regenerative, recharged during braking.
Powering both wheels independently via chain drive also  seems doable, but messy by comparison.