Pumpkin Throwing Trebuchet

2013-10

In October of 2013 with the help of scouts and adults from Boy Scout Troop 909, Erik organized the building of a pumpkin-chucking trebuchet at a property in Duvall.

Wood was cut, materials purchased, the counterweight box made, and plans drawn out for detentions prior to the scout event. Each scout pitched in $5 to fund the project.

The poles were connected with bolts.

We started off with 350 pounds and worked our way up to over 500. The counterweight box was made of 2x4's and plywood and was filled with concrete tiles and rocks. Even with a mechanical advantage, it took as many as 4 people to pull down the arm.

The top of the arm was 23 feet high.

One of the first launches.

Shortening the pouch rope and increasing the weigh resulted in a further throwing distance. This was one of the best launches.

When it got dark we carved out pumpkins and filled them with paper towels and lighter fluid. To minimize risk, the pouch and ropes were soaked in water, observers were told to stand behind a designated line, and a water bucket was ready. NOTE: Since it is dark, it is hard to judge distance in the video, especially since the photographer turned the camera to follow the projectile. Flaming pumpkins went about 100 feet.

On Halloween we got together with a few friends and shot more flaming pumpkins. After a a dozen launches, the pivot point in the arm failed. No one was hurt but further safety measures will be taken in the future.

Unfortunately, the beavers decided they didn't like pumpkins splashing in their pond. Shortly after it was built, our catapult was chewed up by beavers.

It was beyond repair. Some pieces were found floating around in the pond. We took the remains apart and saved the hardware. Overall this trebuchet was a great success.

Thanks to Troop 909 for helping with the construction and to Ranger Rick for the use of his property.