BRANDON – A new two-wheel drive, radio remote control auger mover designed specifically for swing augers took first place at this year’s Inventors Showcase at Manitoba Ag Days in Brandon.
Auger mover inventor Garth Brehon of Brehon Agrisystems in Saskatoon received $1,000 cash for his efforts.
“It’s a safety thing and a convenience thing,” said Garth Brehon.
“With more swing augers out there and more trailers, farmers are looking for better ways to move the equipment into place. And they want to do it quickly and get it right the first time.”
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Brehon’s mover is powered by a 12-volt electric motor that plugs into the tractor power source. The device attaches to the swing auger tube with a clamp style sleeve that bolts around the tube.
The electric motor powers a mechanical chain that drives both rubber tires.
The weight of the auger is transferred through a leaf spring suspension to dampen out sudden bumps and jolts. The drive wheels are attached to a walking beam axle to ensure they remain in constant contact with the ground and share the weight equally.
The unique feature is the FM frequency radio remote control, Brehon said.
“It’s a hand held remote. You have it with you in the cab as you pull up. You can stand anywhere and swing the auger by remote control. You’re not tied to any wires. It operates on 418 megahertz FM. We’re the only company so far that uses an FM frequency. It gives us far greater range and more precise control of exactly where the swing auger sits.”
Brehon said radio remotes are governed by modulation and the ability to get the correct signal through to the receiver. This differs from a TV remote, he added, which uses infrared and requires a clear line of sight between transmitter and receiver.
“With radio controls, our degree of precision comes from the noise threshold. Frequency modulation or FM is less susceptible to electronic noise and interference.
“Amplitude modulation or AM is more susceptible to electronic noise, but it’s more popular because it’s cheaper to build. However, there are more dropouts so the control isn’t as precise.
“With the distance and range you’d normally find on the farm, the odds are you would never get dropout or interference with FM. Almost totally nil.”
Brehon said the remote control swing auger mover is the latest in a family of remote control devices he has been inventing, building and marketing for 25 years.
His first product emerged in 1981 when he graduated from the University of Saskatchewan and turned his thesis project – a remote gate opener – into a commercial venture. Brehon said everything he builds focuses on safety and convenience for farmers.
The radio remote control swing auger mover sells for $1,900 and is available for 10 inch and 13 inch augers.
Contact Garth Brehon at 306-933-2655 or visit www.brehonag.com.