Filter Keeps Chemicals Out Of Truck Cab

Filter Keeps Chemicals Out Of Truck Cab TRUCKS Accessories 5-3-30 "After getting sick a couple times while spraying chemicals on the crops, I decided I had to find some sort of filter to take the chemicals out of the air," explains Allan Merkel, Fairfax, Minn., farmer who has designed a special tractor cab filter that absorbs hazardous chemicals from the air. Merkel, remembering that activated charcoal filters were used during World War I to protect soldiers from exposure to poisonous gases, decided to try them against farm chemicals. He's now having an Oregon company build his special chemical filters which replace the tractor cab's regular air conditioning filters. Sizes are presently available for IH 86 series tractor cabs and John Deere 30 and 40 series cabs. The filters are composed of two parts. A paper-like cellulose layer traps dust and dirt particles while the charcoal layer absorbs chemical fumes. "There is approximately 5 lbs. of activated charcoal between the two cab filters. Each pound of charcoal can absorb up to 1/x lb. of chemical," Merkel explains. To prolong filter life, Merkel advises removing the charcoal filters and replacing the original cab filters after the spraying season. The charcoal filters can be stored in plastic bags to preserve their life and prevent them from becoming saturated with harmless odors. Merkel says the filters are effective against almost all commercial pesticides and herbicides and will even absorb the odor from engine exhaust. They will not remove poisonous carbon monoxide gas or anhydrous ammonia, however. Cost for two IH filters is $40, and $45 for two Deere filters. Merkel is also selling a separate unit for pickup cabs for $70. It's powered by the truck's cigarette lighter. A fan inside the unit circulates air through a doughnut-shaped charcoal filter. The pickup must have air conditioning so that all windows can be rolled up to limit the amount of incoming air. For more details, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Chem-Guard Panel Filters, Allan Merkel, Box 98, Fairfax, Minn. 55332 (ph 507 359-2396).

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