He Built His Own Self-Propelled Rock Picker

A Minnesota farmer, unhappy with the commercial rock picker he was using, came up with his own self-propelled rock picker that he says works better than anything on the market.

Wayne Juhl, of Greenbush, used the front axle from a 2-ton truck as the main component for the 3-wheeled rig, which features a single big 13 by 26-in. drive wheel (off a combine) on back and two smaller steering wheels up front. The rock picking bucket is positioned between the front wheels and tilts back to unload rocks into a steel "tank" that tips hydraulically to the side.

The machine is powered by a 4-cyl., 50 hp Isuzu diesel engine and has a hydrostatic transmission and power steering.

"It's a wonderful machine. I've picked tons of rocks with it with very few problems," says Juhl. "It's not as heavy as most commercial models so it doesn't leave as many tracks in soft ground as a tractor and pull-type picker do. I can use it in the spring both before and after I plant my crops with minimum tracking."

Juhl says he previously built a 4-wheeled self-propelled rock picker back in the 1970's. That model steered from the back wheels. He sold some models to area farmers. "Quite a few neighbors and friends came by with their cameras and tape measures and built their own. Many of them are still being used today. However, I think my 3-wheeled picker is a much better machine."

Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Wayne Juhl, Rt. 2, Box 37, Greenbush, Minn. 56726 (ph 218 782-2536).

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