"Bugsy" Pushcart - Erik Kondo

"Bugsy" is a reverse tricycle pushcart.

Bugsy is a relative easy to make reverse tricycle style push cart. It features quick release large wheels for compact storage. It could also have two rear casters, or two front casters. The design is straight forward to modify as desired.

I like a reverse tricycle because it is highly manueverable from a wheelchair. But a traditional tricycle or quad (casters in front) is easier for more straight pushing. So, it all depends upon your specific needs.

Bugsy uses the same rectangular camber tube, axle receivers, and quick release axles as my DIY wheelchairs. The wheels are 16". Other type of wheels can also be used. The rear caster is a 5" swivel plate caster from home depot.

The push hande is made from 1" PVC schedule 40 PVC sections and fittings, except for the two curved sections which is are pre-curved sections of grey schedule 80.

In reality, there are many different ways to make a push cart. What is unique about my design is the use of the "wheelchair style" rectangular camber and quick release axles. Once you understand this method for making an axle, it is possible to make all sorts of wheeled devices with quick release wheels.

Rectangular Camber Tube

The main axle consists of (2) 3" x 1.25" x 1.25" Zinc square tubes with (2) 2" axle receivers inserted through drilled 3/4" holes. The Zinc brackets are sandwiched (using bolts) on the top with the floor of the cart and below with a piece of plywood to create strength and rigidity. The main 16" wheels, 5" swivel plate caster, quick release axles, and axle receivers can be pushed at DIY Wheelchair Supply. The square Zinc tube can be bought at Home Depot, Lowes, or similar.

Note that since the cart is relatively light duty. I think the Zinc square tube could be replaced by a wood block. And also the axle receiver. In fact, you could make an axle system with a metal rod and skip the quick release axles entirely. There are so many different ways to make this cart.

I used 1" schedule 40 PVC for the push handle along with some fittings. There are different ways to secure (and make) the handle. This is just the method I thought of at the time.

It is possible to heat and bend PVC to make the curve. But it takes some practice and skill to get it right. So I purchased two sections of curved grey schedule 80 elbows to avoid the bending process.

Finally, I stained the (scrap) plywood and painted the push handle to both improve Bugsy's appearance and add weather protection.