These innovative ideas and inventions from farmers aim to address and improve issues related to repair and maintenance of tractors, sprayers, implements, and combines. These ideas were originally featured in All Around the Farm.

1. Tractor-Splitting Stand

A farmer from Dearing, Georgia, came up with a clever solution for splitting a tractor for clutch installs. By using a mobile home axle, 4x4x⅜-inch tubing, a 4-ton crank jack, and some steel plates, he created a sturdy and reliable tractor-splitting stand. This invention has proven to be successful on various tractor models and has made maintenance tasks much easier.-Joe Dewitt, Dearing, Georgia

2. Quick and Easy PTO Puller

Another farmer from Sandy Hook, Virginia, devised a simple yet effective solution for pulling a PTO shaft from a tractor. By using a slide hammer and a reinforced exhaust clamp, he created a quick and easy PTO puller that has made this task much less frustrating. This invention has become a valuable tool in his maintenance routine.-Kevin McDonald, Sandy Hook, Virginia

3. Collapsible Step

A farmer from Ashton, Nebraska, faced a challenge with the bottom step of their loader tractor constantly getting bent. After trying various solutions, they finally found success with a collapsible step made from roller chain. This innovative design allows the step to flex when hitting obstacles, providing both stability and durability.-Brian Kaslon, Ashton, Nebraska

4. Handy Hitch Assistant

To make hitching up equipment with clevis hitches easier, a farmer from Wakefield, Nebraska, created a handy hitch assistant using magnets and angle iron. This simple yet effective solution eliminates the challenges of aligning the hitch and makes the process much smoother. This invention has significantly improved the hitching process.-Dale Hansen, Wakefield, Nebraska

5. Hydraulic Hitch Jack

A farmer from Elkton, Maryland, came up with a clever solution for hitching implements to a tractor using a hydraulic jack. By welding a plate to a hydraulic cylinder and attaching it to the implement, this invention allows for easy adjustments and alignment of the hitch pin without the need to constantly get in and out of the tractor. This innovative design has streamlined the hitching process.-Neil McCleary, Elkton, Maryland

6. Three-Point Assorted Ball Hitch

A farmer from Herman, Nebraska, repurposed a rotary hoe frame to create a versatile three-point hitch mount for assorted ball hitches. This innovative design allows for easy attachment and movement of heavy-tongued items, making the process quick and efficient. The adaptability and storage features of this invention make it a valuable addition to any farm equipment.-Gary Kruger, Herman, Nebraska

7. Hitch-Pin Puller

A farmer from Sibley, Illinois, created a convenient hitch-pin puller for easier handling of front wagons. By modifying a hitch pin with an eyebolt ring and attaching it to the tractor’s quick hitch, this invention allows for effortless raising and lowering of the pin using the tractor’s controls. This simple yet effective solution has made hitching tasks much more manageable.-Mike Brown, Sibley, Illinois

8. Top Auger Addition

A farmer with a manure spreader in need of improvement added a top auger to prevent clumps from passing over the beater. This innovative addition has enhanced the efficiency and performance of the spreader, ensuring a more consistent and effective spreading process. By taking inspiration from newer spreader designs, this farmer was able to upgrade their equipment with a simple yet impactful modification.-Anonymous

Unique Farming Innovations: Creative Solutions from Farmers

Farmers are known for their ingenuity and ability to find creative solutions to everyday challenges. Here are some unique farming innovations shared by farmers across the country:

1. Custom Top Auger Design

Using 1/4-inch scrap steel, Dan Hilmer from Columbus, Nebraska, built a custom trapezoidal frame to house bearings for the top auger on his equipment. He also welded pieces of flat steel onto the auger flighting to help thrash larger manure clumps. With the addition of an idler sprocket plate, sprockets, and a chain, Dan was able to drive his new top auger from the bottom auger, improving efficiency on his farm.

2. 2-Inch Nipple Remover

Todd Miller from Mount Auburn, Illinois, found a simple solution for removing close nipples without damaging them. By using a stud remover tool, Todd was able to easily remove 2-inch close nipples from his sprayer, saving time and money on replacements.

3. Handy Front-End Sprayer Boom

Verlyn Jons from Saint Charles, South Dakota, repurposed the sprayer boom from his three-point sprayer by mounting it to the bale spear on his frontend loader. This innovative setup made the sprayer boom more visible and easier to adjust, improving accuracy and efficiency during spraying operations.

4. Magnetic Labeling Strips

Nate Thompson from Falls City, Nebraska, shared a clever solution for organizing chemicals in sprayer rigs. By using magnetic labels with the names of chemicals written on them, farmers can easily identify and keep track of the contents of each tank, reducing the risk of errors during chemical applications.

5. Built-in Whiteboard in Combine

Eric Turnquist from Murdock, Minnesota, came up with a practical idea for keeping track of important information in his combine and tractors. By using a dry-erase marker on the window like a whiteboard, Eric can easily monitor service intervals, load counts, and other essential data, making it convenient to make changes and updates as needed.

6. Fire Defense Grain Cart

Dale Torgerson from Kindred, North Dakota, took proactive measures to prevent combine fires during harvest. By mounting a water tank and pump on his grain cart, Dale was able to quickly extinguish a combine fire on his farm before the fire department arrived, showcasing the importance of being prepared for emergencies on the farm.

These innovative solutions demonstrate the resourcefulness and creativity of farmers in addressing common challenges in agriculture. By sharing their ideas and experiences, farmers continue to inspire others in the farming community to think outside the box and find innovative solutions to improve efficiency and productivity on the farm.

Share Your Ideas

If you have a unique farming innovation to share, Successful Farming magazine invites you to submit your ideas for a chance to be featured in print. Submit your idea(s) with a daytime phone number, email address, and mailing address using this link or mail to: Successful Farming Magazine, All Around The Farm, 1716 Locust Street/LS257, Des Moines, IA 50309-3023. Your idea could be the next big innovation in agriculture!

Remember, innovation is key to driving progress in farming, and by sharing your ideas, you contribute to the collective knowledge and advancement of the agricultural industry.