Conversations with myself – Starting over.
So by the way ----
I’m running out of time --- Technically I only have some 8 days left to get ready for December holy-days...
So I left off last by saying that I’ve run into a design problem VIS the position of the wheels relative to the backpack, using a “disselboom” golf push cart, and that, although it makes a good PULL cart, It’s not going to work as a HANDS FREE cart.
So after a long engineering meeting with myself I realised I was definitely on the wrong design path, and needed a cart where the wheels are at the back, so that the weight of the backpack was in front of the wheel sand not balanced over the wheel, which, like I said is perfect for a pull cart but will not work as a hands free cart because it “rides up” against my back.
Ironically, in Cash converters there was a different type of golf cart (pictures will come) and after staring at it for about 1/2H (Which drove the sales guy’s bonkers) my engineering self came to the conclusion that it has a good chance of success.
So after the “discount discussion” and R200 rand later I chucked my disselboom cart and began to convert the new-to-me cart.
Spent most of Sunday doing the conversion and -------
It works as a hands free cart!
I’m not exactly sure of the weight, but, being an made from aluminium tube and not steel it seems to be about the same weight as the disselboom cart
Late on Sunday I did “street trials” (up & down my street in front of the house) and yes it works!
Couple of plusses
It’s a neater concept – straps are tidy and it looks the part (rather than something that’s been converted)
I’ve solved the problem of the straps being just long enough to strap the backpack to the cart
I’m pretty certain it will also work with my big 75L backpacker Boulder pack
Some negatives
When strapped in, to turn, I have to walk a small circle, because of the 2 wheels – but that’s just a “getting used to” thing.
The wheels of the disselboom cart had bearings – this one is a plain steel axle in a nylon hub – not so great
I think, some small “kiddies bicycle” wheels would be better – but I’ll have to wait for a cheap tiny kids bicycle to come up for sale somewhere -----
I’ve only got a day or two left to allocate to getting it done
Pressure ---- Pressure ----Pressure
Hello Warren. Have you had a…
Hello Warren. Have you had a look at the carts Trekkers use. There was a lady, not so long ago, that hiked from the Kunene mouth towards the Orange river along the coast. Her cart had big wheels, and I think was attatched to a belt on her hips. So it probably had 2 disselbooms, all very light weight and stable. Very much like a single horse drawn cart, it hangs on the belt, not lean against the body.
Warren that Lady looks very…
Warren that Lady looks very fit and I am sure she will be able to pull all your stuff around. 
flippen feinted at the prices THEY charge
Last time I was in Kayjees bicycle shop I flippen feinted at the prices THEY charge
I’ve seen small bicycles thrown in the steel scrap bin at the garden refuse collection site (the make your own price store), or I’ll hang in there until I get one on auction or similar believe me, that’ll cost a whole lot less
Hi Anton Yes, but the…
Hi Anton
Yes, but the hidden and on-going costs are enormous ---
Hi Neef,
Yes, the carts that one can import are like that. Two shafts on either side of your body, and they clip onto belt on the sides. Some of them even have little disc brakes to assist when going downhill, but they are hellishly expensive to import, and for my useage --- really not worth the cost --- Just like the dametjie --- bietjie aan die duur kant
But note the position of the wheels. In all cases of “hands free” carts the wheels are at the end and the backpack is between the wheels and the attachment. --
With this “new” golf cart that I’m working on, that is exactly what I’m trying to copy but I’m attaching to a belt, in the middle of my back.
Going through my posts you will see that I have some criteria that need to be achieved --- weight / 2 strap tie on / without disassembly carry the bag & cart on my back / and of course hands free
The pictures below are of my first attempts a year or two ago --- also did not work as a hands free set-up, because of the positioning of the wheels --- The cart is balanced --- great for pulling but does not work "hands free" ---- Kinda lost interest in the project until I decided what I'm going to do next year and wantng to play around with it this year
This particular cart worked extriemely well when on my back --- just fold the handle down
Warren shop around for 12"…
Warren shop around for 12" bicycle rim, then no need to buy the whole bike?