"Lay Down" Electric-Powered Crawler

"Lay Down" Electric-Powered Crawler 27-3-9 Bending over to plant, pick or weed is the worst part of market gardening. But "the bends" are just a bad memory once you climb on the Crawler from Elomestari, Ltd., Juva, Finland. The Crawler is a battery-powered cart with foot-operated controls. A padded frame supports a reclining body and head, leaving hands free to do their work. At row ends, the cart can be moved to a new row or the body frame can be rotated 180? and slid sideways to return up the same row. The base price of approximately $2,600 can be paid for quickly in increased productivity. "In field trials, workers have weeded up to 35 percent faster compared to hand labor, planting speed has doubled and fewer rests are needed," says Petri Leinonen, Elomestari owner. "It also reduces occupational injuries." A 12-volt electric motor in each wheel propels the working bed through a field at up to 0.3 mph. A single battery charge powers the unit for 6 to 10 hours. Optional accessories include a second worker's platform, solar cells and canvas canopy. Customized Crawlers as wide as 39 ft. with room for multiple beds are available. Special greenhouse units have sensors for steering, leaving speed foot-controlled. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Marcia Miquelon, University of Wisconsin Healthy Farmers, Healthy Profits Project, 460 Henry Mall, Madison, Wis. 53706 (ph 608 262-1054; website: http://bse.wisc.edu/hfhp/).

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