The agricultural industry has suffered its fair share of tragedies over the years as fatal accidents have taken many before their time.
Health & Safety is paramount on a farm these days and there is a lot more attention paid to this area in modern times than there was in times gone past.
A Co Monaghan engineer has come up with a device that can enhance safety when it comes to working with PTO shafts, an implement that has been the cause of many accidents.
Glenn Cruickshank is the managing director and owner of Shanks Engineering and it was from his workshop in Carrickmacross that the idea for Farm Hitch was born.
“I worked with a farm services company for a number of years before deciding to set up my own business in 2004. I was on my own for the first three years and now there are eight full time workers here,” said Glenn.
“We do a lot of maintenance work for factories developing different tools and equipment for them, while we still do a lot of frame work and stall work for the farming industry.”
From their 6,000sq ft purpose built facility that they moved into in 2009, Glenn and the team set about devising the Farm Hitch after being told that his original idea wasn’t feasible.
“I spoke to a few people about devising the Farm Hitch and most said it couldn’t be done, but that only spurred me on to make it work. It took about two years or more to actually get the finished product as I was only working on it in my spare time.
“We developed it from switching an implement on my Dad’s tractor and following a lot of tinkering, we showcased it at the 2013 National Ploughing Championships.”
The end result is a tractor mounted device to enable safe efficient connection of farm equipment which use a 3 point linkage. Farm Hitch ensures you never need to leave the tractor cab while connecting to these implements eliminating the risk of injury while completing this task.
“Not only is the Farm Hitch a convenient and easy tool to operate, it is also safe as there is no risk of incident which arises from being positioned between the tractor and implement during connecting. The PTO guard is always in position and the operator doesn’t have to leave their seat while they connect.”
The end result is a safe efficient tool that allows the farmer perform a number of duties with the minimum of fuss.
Farm Hitch leaves no areas exposed that could injure or cause serious bodily harm whatever the situation. An unguarded PTO is a hazard. Section 19 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 says “employers must as far as is practicable, provide a working environment in which employees are not exposed to hazards”.
“It can be connected easily with the three point linkage quick hitch. It also consists of two primary assemblies, the Tractor Mounted Assembly (TMA) and the Implement Mounted Assembly (IMA). Both are primarily welded constructions of laser cut steel plate and steel box section, galvanised to provide corrosion protection.
“The Tractor Mounted Assembly (TMA) is easily connected to the tractor’s three point linkage and for the majority of the time will be left connected to it. A hydraulic cylinder (Toplink) is mounted to the upper point of the 3 point linkage to allow remote pitch adjustment of the assembly from the tractor. Hydraulic locking pins are also controlled from the tractor unit via a remote switch within the tractor.
“Once the locking pins are in position along with the pitch set to preferred position the remote is switched to implement so the Hydraulics no longer control the top link or locking pins for safety.
The TMA comes complete with a bespoke adjustable PTO shaft. The Female portion of the PTO & electrical along with the Male portion of the Hydraulics are mounted to this assembly.
The Implement Mounted Assembly (IMA) has the facility for mounting a three point implement. There are a number of versions available from the basic of 3 point connections without lights PTO or hydraulics up to a version with 3 pair of hydraulics, PTO & electrical lighting socket.
Feedback from customers has been very positive if these few testimonials are anything to go by.
“The Farm Hitch is the best invention since the tractor!”
Seamus O’Leary, Skiberren.
“I discovered the Farm Hitch at the national ploughing championships in 2013 and was intrigued immediately. The hitch not only makes my life easier on the farm, it keeps me safer too. It’s great to see science & technology put back into farming to a new intuitive way.”
Pat O’Keeffe, Co. Cork.
“Thanks to Glenn and the Team at Farm Hitch. I am very happy with the Hitch and how easy it is to use.”
Shane Murphy, Waterford.
“I cannot recommend the Farm Hitch highly enough, easily one of the best investments I have ever made.”
Martin Gallagher, Donegal.
Shanks Engineering
Drumgurra, Carrickmacross.
Co. Monaghan, Ireland.
Phone: +353 42 9661166
Mobile: +353 87 8758456
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.farmhitch.com
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 4 No 2, February 2016
