$200 Double Your Money Winner: Bin Roof Safety Cable
Alan Hoehne |
To enhance safety when opening and shutting the manholes on our older drying bin, I installed a cable ring around the roof. The framework consists of 3⁄8"x5" eyebolts with plastic washers and double nuts on the top and underside of every other rib of the roof. I drilled a hole on both sides of the angle iron of the roof ladder in line with the eyebolts. Then I installed a 1⁄2"-thick cable on one side of the ladder. I strung the cable through all of the eyelets, connecting the other end to the turnbuckle on the other side of the ladder. To finish, I rotated the turnbuckle until the cable was tight.
Hitch Pin Fix
I have trouble with hitch pins wiggling loose because of cornstalks or weeds. I’ve tried hitch pin clips, linchpins and even bailing wire, but they still came loose. Finally, I ground a groove in the hitch pin to match the bolt head to keep the bolt from turning. All I need is pliers to loosen or tighten the bolt. It works great!
Jeff Hartke
Dieterich, Ill.
Net Wrap Removal System
I made a tool that consists of a 4' high pipe frame with a sharp grader blade to cut and remove the net wrap from a large bale of hay without getting out of the tractor. I sit the bale down lengthwise on the blade, then use the forks to push and lift up the bale, which cuts and removes the netting.
Dick Schirado
Glen Ullin, N.D.
Share your unpublished ideas to join our $100 Ideas Club. The Double Your Money winner receives $200. Other farmers featured receive $100 each. All winners receive a hat.
To submit your unpublished idea, which must include a description, photo or sketch, address and phone number, write to $100 Ideas, Farm Journal, P.O. Box 1188, Johnston, IA 50131-9421, email $100-Ideas@farmjournal.com or fill out the entry form at www.farmjournal.com/enter_100_ideas. All published material becomes Farm Journal Media property.
