DIY Push Plow Cultivator

Make the Cultivator Components

• 1

  Drill a 1/4-inch hole through the square ends of the wheelbarrow handles. Make the holes 1 inch from the end. (Note: if the bicycle wheel you will be using has larger than 1/4-inch bolts, adjust the diameter of the holes drilled in the handles and one end of the steel.) Lay the handles parallel to each other on a flat surface. Move the drilled ends of the handles apart - at an angle - until the drilled ends are 4 inches apart and the gap at the 18-inch point is 8 inches. Lay two pieces of the bar stock steel across the handles at 18 and 30 inches. Mark the underside of the steel at the outside edge of the handles. Mark the spot where the steel is exactly at the center of each handle. Cut the steel with a reciprocating saw and drill 1/2-inch holes at the center-line marks. Measure, mark and drill a 1/4-inch hole in the center point of the short bar.

• 2

  Measure and draw a line across one of the wheelbarrow handles at 18 inches. Hold the handle at a 45-degree angle with the drilled end touching the ground. Drop a plumb line from the 18-inch mark until it touches the ground. Measure and record the distance between the plumbed spot and the end of the handle touching the ground. Measure two lengths of the steel bar stock that equals that measurement and cut them with the reciprocating saw. Drill a 1/4-inch hole in one end of both pieces, 1 inch from the end. Measure and cut the final piece of the steel bar stock --the vertical member -- 20 inches in length. Drill a 1/4-inch hole in the center of one end, 1 inch from the end.

• 3

  Place the spanner bars -- the equal length steel bars -- in a vise and pound a 20-degree angle in them at 6 inches from the blank end. This allows the spanners to match up with the vertical member.

• 4

  Use a vise and hammer to put a 45-degree angle in the blank end of the vertical member, 6 inches from the end. Remove the handle from the hand cultivator and bend the steel rod upwards to a 45-degree angle. Hold the vertical member vertically so that the angled end is toward you. Weld the hand cultivator rod to the short, angled end of the vertical member.

Assemble the Cultivator

• 5

  Screw the two steel bars to the wheelbarrow handles using the wood screws.

• 6

  Hold the bicycle wheel upright and remove the locking nuts from the outside of the connector assembly. Slide the drilled end of the spanner bars over the connector assembly bolts. Work the drilled end of the cultivator handles over the bolt ends in the connector assembly and over the steel bars. Slide a washer onto a barrel nut and insert it through the handle and screw it to the connector assembly bolt. Repeat on the other handle.

• 7

  Bolt the drilled end of the vertical member to the short spacer between the handles.

• 8

  Set up the assembled cultivator so that the unit is standing upright. Rotate one of the spanners up until it is touching the vertical member and is level to the ground. Mark the spot on the vertical member.

• 9

  Weld both spanners to the vertical member as marked.