Bullkey

Bullkey is a small, energy-efficient tractor designed for farmers in developing nations; it’s cheaper to buy and maintain than a pair of oxen, compact for maneuverability on small farms, and can double as a motorcycle, a common mode of transport in user nations. Read more about Bullkey’s development at the GEAR Lab here.

My role in this project was to help design hydraulics, which power the plow and PTO mount — core tractor components — and run off of a motorcycle engine and body. The PTO mount can lift up to 500 lbs 1ft from the ground and would be used to carry water/pesticide/fertilizer tanks or other farm equipment. I also designed and fabricated secondary components, including a weight mount and a pesticide blower attachment which rotates 90° and sprays up to 30 feet vertically and horizontally. Most parts were fabricated in-house using water-jetting, CNC machining, and MIG and TIG welding.