“Triketor” Hauls, Spreads And Cultivates

“Triketor” Hauls Spreads And Cultivates AG WORLD Ron Boyd’s Triketor carries big loads of produce cultivates garlic and hauls tools and supplies wherever needed Best of all it only burns calories The 3-wheel bike with its own toolbar and carry-all trailer has done it all at Boyd’s 5-acre Mer-Girl Gardens for most of the past 10 years “I started out using a 3-wheel Schwinn to get around the 5 acres ” says Boyd “I was always forgetting something and it worked great to carry a few tools and supplies Over time the idea expanded ” Lightfoot Cycles in Darby Mont took Boyd’s idea to a higher level Lightfoot was once one of the largest makers of 3-wheelers but has since closed They brought Boyd’s idea for the “Triketor” to life The recumbent design frame has a positive 2-WD off a jackshaft with a 28-speed derailleur As Boyd turns the grip it increases or decreases the gear ratio Fat Larry tires are equipped with 3 sets of tubes each 2 split open and 1 with air to reduce flats The bed on back rides directly over the rear wheels “It was designed for our 4-ft wide beds with 1-ft walkways ” says Boyd “The bed on the back can handle up to 300 lbs or I can pull a manure spreader that also carries about 300 lbs ” Boyd has used the toolbar underneath the seat to strike rows for a walk-behind seeder as well as for cultivation He credits many years of no-till and cover crops on his sandy soil for ease of cultivation with the Triketor “It works extremely well due to the tilth of our soil ” says Boyd “It’s really simple to cultivate with sweeps on the toolbar It could have motorcycle chain and heavier tires as it is occasionally a little light for what I demand of it ” While still useful the role of the Triketor has diminished as Boyd’s farm recently expanded from 5 acres to 80 mostly irrigated acres After years of market gardening he and his wife Debora now focus on seed production for Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Ron Boyd P O Box 649 Alcalde New Mexico 87566 ph 505 927-0150; rjbinnm@gmail com

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