Maya Pedal Bicycle Mill

Target SDGs

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Community

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Maya Pedal is supported by a number of international organizations including Pedal Energy Development Alternatives, Bikes Not Bombs, Working Bikes.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Solar Milling Small-Scale System.

Regions

Central America

Countries

Guatemala

Manufacturing/Building Method

Maya Pedal accepts bikes donated from the USA and Canada of which they use the components to build a range of "Bicimaquinas", (pedal-powered machines), including the Bicycle Mill. Bicimaquinas are individually made in Maya Pedal's workshop, which is staffed by locals and by volunteers from around the World. It is built using locally available materials. The entire frame of Maya bicycle pedal is made from steel. It is obtained from an old bicycle frame including the crankset. The electrodes designed for cast steel to weld some part of the bicycle is used to build this product. And to have a better bond, the frame is flattened and bent before welding to the chassis.

Intellectural Property Type

Open-source

User Provision Model

Users can obtain the Bicycle Mill directly from Maya Pedal, or create their own by using the provided instructions.

Distributions to Date Status

Unknown.

Design Specifications

The bicycle provided by Maya Pedal can be fabricated following the steps detailed in the instruction guide. The bike frame is made by following the dimensions: 450mm of seat tube, 250mm of the down tube, and the entire length of the chainstays.

The pedal Powered mill is built by starting the adaptation of the hand mill, then making chassis of the bike is made by cutting the frame as described in the instruction document. The third step concerns making the flywheel from a 20” wheel which can be done by following two steps as described in the instruction manual above. This step is followed by the construction of the seat with recycled plywood.

The handlebars are made during the 6th phase by using steel dropped racer bars cut in half. The manufacturer weld 8mm bolts onto 20mm washers to bold on it. The Chain Assembly is the last step to get the Pedal powered mill construction done.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Technical support is provided directly from Maya Pedal. ^{Interview with representative}

Maya Pedal also provides training workshops to NGOs interested in implementing pedal technology in their own communities, including bicycle machine repair, maintenance, and innovative uses for the machines.

Replacement Components

Replacement components can be provided by Maya Pedal.^{Interview with representative}

Lifecycle

The average life of a bicimaquina is over 20 years.^{Interview with representative}

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Performance targets:

• The machine is easy to operate.
• Easy to maintain and portable.
• It can be used anywhere by  anyone.
• It can easily switch from de-graining to milling by unbolting one appliance and attaching the other

Vetted Performance Status

Unknown.

Safety

No specified safety precautions.

Complementary Technical Systems

Bicimáquinas can be adapted to fit a variety of attachments for different tasks such as milling/threshing, pumping, blending, serve as a washing machine or handcycle.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

Unknown.

Other Information

• 2010 Curry Stone Design Prize Finalist.
• International organizations that supports Maya Pedal includes Pedal Energy Development Alternatives, Bikes Not Bombs, Working Bikes.
• Pedal Powered Mill/Degrainer Build Instructions and Specifications.