Handy Devices

Jerry Treml, Luxemburg, Wisconsin, wanted a safer way to change light bulbs in his free-stall barns. Normally, he would prop a ladder in the raised bucket of his skid-steer loader to do the job. To make that work safer, he purchased an extended reach arm that attaches to the skid-steer loader. Then, he welded together a basket that was attached to the end of the reach. It is big enough for two people who can work up to 35 feet off the ground.

Rake stacks the brush:

Howard Richards, Pittsfield, Illinois, made a brush rake that fits to his front loader. He used 4-inch square pipe and a half-dozen chisel plow shanks. Two clamps keep the rake in place while he pushes
brush into piles.

Hitch-mounted vise:

Charles Beers, Dixon, Missouri, carries his shop vise with him to the field. To do it, he welded two pieces of square tube steel together on a 45-degree angle. One end of the tubing fits into the hitch receiver. There, Beers drilled a horizontal hole through the tubing to match the holes in the receiver. A pin fits through the holes to secure the assembly to his truck. Beers welded a steel plate to the other end of the tube steel. He cut holes into the plate matching the mounting holes on the vise and bolted the vise to the steel plate.

WINNING IDEAS: Win $150 if your idea is chosen as the month’s “Editor’s Choice” Handy Device. Win $50 for other ideas used on this page. To submit a Handy Device, please send clear photographs, detailed drawings and a complete explanation of your idea. With each entry, include your name, address and telephone number. If your entry is chosen, you will receive in the mail a Federal Tax Form W-9. This form must be completed and returned to The Progressive Farmer before payment can be made. Send Handy Device entries to The Progressive Farmer, 2204 Lakeshore Dr., Suite 415, Birmingham, AL 35209.

Sorry, but we cannot acknowledge submissions or return photographs, drawings or documentation.

[PF_0618]

Copyright 2019 DTN/The Progressive Farmer. All rights reserved.