Life on the farm is a constant balance of hard work, ingenuity, and finding the right tools for the job. For a long time, we've had a recurring challenge: moving stuff. Whether it's bags of feed, tools, garden waste, or a small load of firewood, the process has always felt a bit... Goldilocks. Wheelbarrows are great for small, quick jobs, but for anything substantial, they quickly become a massive drain on time and energy. We'd spend hours pushing and pulling, feeling the burn (and not the good kind!). On the other end of the spectrum, our tractor is a workhorse, but it's often overkill for these smaller hauling tasks. Hooking up an implement, firing it up, driving it across the yard – it all adds up to a lot of wasted time when you just need to move a few things. We needed something "just right." Something small, nimble, and efficient. A tiny mini-truck, if you will. And if it could be electric, even better – imagine the savings on ...
I’ll be the first to admit it: I love tractors. I started this blog with big iron and diesel engines in mind. There is something about the roar of a tractor that feels like "real" farming. But lately, I’ve been neglecting the big machines for something a little more... unconventional. The surprise MVP of our property hasn't been a John Deere or a Kubota. It’s been our little, scrappy Chinese 3-wheel dump truck that we’ve affectionately dubbed the "Tuk Tuk." The Simple Glow of the 3-Wheeler While I wanted to spend my time writing about horsepower and PTO attachments, I’ve found myself basking in the simple glow of this electric underdog. Here’s why this little machine has stolen my heart (and saved my back): The "Start-and-Go" Magic: There are no glow plugs to warm up and no heavy engines to crank. When I have a quick task, I just turn the key and go. It’s ready the second I am. Surprising Stamina: For a small e...
Well, our weirdly named farm-hand, the SDLanch IRET13 Electric Tricycle, is officially in service! Our very first day with the trike was a real baptism by fire, and I’ve already got a mountain of insights to share. While this little electric dump-bed is destined to spend its life happily motoring back and forth along one specific narrow path on Vashon Island, we had a major challenge just getting it there: a long trek across the full length of Vashon Island. This trip quickly revealed the trike's strengths and, well, its limits. Power vs. Physics: Handling the hills I imagine the trike was primarily designed for flat, dense urban areas or factory floors. In that environment, it would be a champion. It handles a heavy load with impressive stability, and on a flat straightaway, I estimate it could hit its maximum speed of around 30 mph using its three-speed transmission. However, Vashon Island is a landscape carved by centuries of receding glaciers...
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