Remote Shut-Down Could Save Your Life

2004 - Volume #28, Issue #6, Page #32

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Augers, pto shafts, and belts are only some of the things that make farming one of the most dangerous occupations. A new remote shut down system invented by an Idaho farmer is a relatively easy way to build in a bit more safety.
    Ted Lacy has a certified seed plant on his farm and long ago recognized the danger it represented with its multiple motors, belts and augers. While wiring everything through a single emergency switch made it possible for immediate shutdown, Lacy realized that wasn't enough.
    "I was working by myself one day when I wondered, what if I couldn't make it to the switch?" recalls Lacy.
    A few garage door opener parts later and he had a remote control for the shut down. After thinking about other danger areas around the farm, he decided to adapt his shut down to 12-volt equipment, too. The result is a wireless safety switch that can be used as a safety lock and shut down and, when equipped with GPS, even notifies emergency personnel where you are.
    "We used the best commercial receivers and transmitters on the market," says Lacy. "The system works at a half mile line of sight or 200 to 300 ft. around steel buildings. We also have repeater units that can be put in to extend the distance."
    Lacy formed Red Fox Enterprises, and now markets four models of the safety switch: The Fox Paws 100 will not only shut down an engine, but will also prevent it from starting unless the transmitter button is pushed. It is ideal for situations where young children have access to dangerous equipment.
    The Fox Paws 200 is a simple emergency shut down, but will not interfere with start up. It and the 100 both sell for $595.
    The Fox Paws 300 can be equipped with GPS (total price with GPS unit is $1,400). When GPS equipped, the unit has a 30-sec. alarm. When the switch is first activated, a buzzer goes off. If the operator doesn't hit the shutoff switch a second time within the 30 seconds, a message is transmitted to a call center. Operators there attempt to reach pre-registered phone numbers such as cell phone, home line and a backup number. If there's no answer, a call is placed to 911 with information on what roads the implement is near and how many feet off the road it is.
    Lacy's fourth unit is designed for use with 120/240/480-volt AC single or 3-phase applications. The $1,795 unit includes the transmitter and circuitry needed to hook into large grain handling systems. At his own seed plant installation, Lacy notes that the entire plant can shut down in 2 to 3 seconds.
    "Even with shields on all our equipment, I once had the wind blow my coat and shirt tail up into a belt," he says. "The remote shut down everything immediately."
    Lacy has reviewed OSHA records of farm deaths from 1990 through 2000. He estimates that his remote unit might have reduced fatalities by as much as 18 to 20 percent.
    "There hasn't been a lot of safety work done on ag machinery," says Lacy. "If we can save just one person, it's worth it."
    He is considering making the Fox Paws 300 mobile so it could be used on multiple pieces of equipment. An existing option is a warning light that can be installed on the roof of the machine and is activated by the remote at shut down.
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Ted Lacy, Red Fox Enterprises, 25989 S. Dreschsel Rd., Worley, Idaho 83876 (ph 877 733-3693 or 208 231-5625; email: info@redfoxenterprises.com).

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Remote Shut-Down Could Save Your Life SECURITY/SAFETY Ideas Augers pto shafts and belts are only some of the things that make farming one of the most dangerous occupations A new remote shut down system invented by an Idaho farmer is a relatively easy way to build in a bit more safety Ted Lacy has a certified seed plant on his farm and long ago recognized the danger it represented with its multiple motors belts and augers While wiring everything through a single emergency switch made it possible for immediate shutdown Lacy realized that wasn t enough I was working by myself one day when I wondered what if I couldn t make it to the switch? recalls Lacy A few garage door opener parts later and he had a remote control for the shut down After thinking about other danger areas around the farm he decided to adapt his shut down to 12-volt equipment too The result is a wireless safety switch that can be used as a safety lock and shut down and when equipped with GPS even notifies emergency personnel where you are We used the best commercial receivers and transmitters on the market says Lacy The system works at a half mile line of sight or 200 to 300 ft around steel buildings We also have repeater units that can be put in to extend the distance Lacy formed Red Fox Enterprises and now markets four models of the safety switch: The Fox Paws 100 will not only shut down an engine but will also prevent it from starting unless the transmitter button is pushed It is ideal for situations where young children have access to dangerous equipment The Fox Paws 200 is a simple emergency shut down but will not interfere with start up It and the 100 both sell for $595 The Fox Paws 300 can be equipped with GPS total price with GPS unit is $1 400 When GPS equipped the unit has a 30-sec alarm When the switch is first activated a buzzer goes off If the operator doesn t hit the shutoff switch a second time within the 30 seconds a message is transmitted to a call center Operators there attempt to reach pre-registered phone numbers such as cell phone home line and a backup number If there s no answer a call is placed to 911 with information on what roads the implement is near and how many feet off the road it is Lacy s fourth unit is designed for use with 120/240/480-volt AC single or 3-phase applications The $1 795 unit includes the transmitter and circuitry needed to hook into large grain handling systems At his own seed plant installation Lacy notes that the entire plant can shut down in 2 to 3 seconds Even with shields on all our equipment I once had the wind blow my coat and shirt tail up into a belt he says The remote shut down everything immediately Lacy has reviewed OSHA records of farm deaths from 1990 through 2000 He estimates that his remote unit might have reduced fatalities by as much as 18 to 20 percent There hasn t been a lot of safety work done on ag machinery says Lacy If we can save just one person it s worth it He is considering making the Fox Paws 300 mobile so it could be used on multiple pieces of equipment An existing option is a warning light that can be installed on the roof of the machine and is activated by the remote at shut down Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Ted Lacy Red Fox Enterprises 25989 S Dreschsel Rd Worley Idaho 83876 ph 877 733-3693 or 208 231-5625; email: info@redfoxenterprises com

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