REGINA – Don Lenz got tired of getting off, and on, and off, and on his tractor each time he took a bale into the corrals of his Vibank, Sask., farm.
“That’s a lot of in and out of the cab, especially when there’s bad weather or curious calves just waiting to make a run for it,” said the cow-calf producer and inventor, who attended last month’s Western Canada Farm Progress Show in Regina.
“It wastes time and there aren’t too many people feeding cattle that can say they haven’t taken a tumble in the mud or snow taking care of a gate.”
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Lenz decided to do something about the problem.
He built a corral gate closer that allows the tractor to bump the gate with a bale or front tire to release an automated latch.
The gate opens wide as the tractor passes through and swings closed as the machine clears the opening.
With adjustable tension, the unit relies on sprung harrow teeth to swing the gate closed after the tractor passes.
While refining the idea, Lenz said he wore a deep path from his house to his corral to his shop.
He then subjected the device to a winter season’s cattle feeding to ensure it was durable and well-designed.
The gate still needs a chain to ensure it is fully secure once feeding is over, but for each pass through the gate it will close and latch snugly.
A shock absorber slows the gate as it reaches the latch, preventing it from slamming quickly shut.
Removal of the pin in the spring mechanism releases the tension on the closer and allows the gate to be fully opened for moving cattle between pens or whenever the gate isn’t required.
Lenz’ invention was one of a record 41 on display at the Western Canada Farm Progress Show this year.
The unit sells for $329 and Lenz said interest was strong.
“Well, farmers like me are getting older and we’re in the majority in this business now,” he said.
“Anything that will make our job easier and safer is going to get a lot of attention.”
