OUR+Solution

Our proposal is to redesign the tractor to be an energy efficient and sustainable farming tool for use in low-income nations.

 We decided on creating a man powered device to assist in plowing land as opposed to expensive diesel fueled engines.

 The product has to be self sufficient, we don't want the users to rely on outside help to fix or maintain their tractors. We cannot have them run on costly fuel resources that they do not have access to e.g. gasoline or electricity. We want them to lessen their dependence on animals to farm because of maintenance and veterinary costs for the cattle which only last for the life span of the ox depending on its health.

 This is ecologically friendly by the lack of the use of fossil fuels.

 By using the model of a bicycle, most people are familiar with the mechanisms and functions of a bicycle pedal to generate movement. The transparency of the parts and mechanisms to make the wheels move is simple to understand and therefore to repair, because this is a piece of technology that they are already familiar with.

 We want it to be built out of as few parts as possible to increase its durability and to make it easy to maintain and repair.

 Our proposed redesign of the Tractor plow is to create a large multi user tricycle tractor that can seat from 3-5 farmers. The front single seat if for the person to steer, while the rear seats are for extra people to help power the tractor tricycle through various types of terrain.

 A detachable plow is attached to the rear axle. It is detachable so that the tractor can be used for purposes other than plowing, and so plows of various sizes and weights can be attached to accommodate different types of soil. (Narrower plows with heavier mouldboards for tougher to plow terrain, wider ones with lighterweight mouldboards for easier fields, etc.)

 The frame of the tricycle should be lightweight and easy to maneuver so less energy will need to be used to move the heavy metal plow .