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Hike the Bike: A Safe & Simple Tree-climbing Device |
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"K. Ganapathi Bhat
Sajipamunnur, Tk. Bantwal, Dist. Dakshin Kannada, Karnataka
Nationwide, workers who have traditionally been climbing trees have exited the occupation as the risks far outweigh any reward.
K. Ganapathi Bhat’s tree-climbing bike can carry a person weighing up to 80 kg with just the push of a button. The bike runs on a petrol-fuelled three-stroke engine. It has a handlebar with indicator lights to navigate up and down, brakes, and a panel to check the petrol level.
The bike is equipped with safety features including a seatbelt and a hydraulic drum brake with a shock absorber in the engine. Though the bike itself weighs 28 kg, the brake prevents accidents even if the bike slips. Whereas earlier, workers could climb about 40 trees in a day, the bike has helped them climb 80 trees in a day on only a litre of petrol. Farmers can easily spray a larger area of their farm seated near the top of trees.
Mr. Bhat owns an arecanut plantation with about 10,000 trees, and has been experimenting with different device designs for many years. His daughter, Supriya posted a video of herself using the bike which garnered widespread attention on social media. After the video, he received 2,000 visitors seeking a live demonstration, and several inquiries from all over India, as well as Singapore and Malaysia. A few buyers have been interested in using the device for coconut trees for which he has made necessary modifications.
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Honey Bee, 34(4)15, 2023 |
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