Electric Combine Elevator

Electric Combine Elevator 5-1-7 Orrin Hilvety, of Moweaqua, Ill., has been handicapped since his youth. Through the years, he has modified machinery to meet his needs. Take for example, the two self-propelled combines he owns. Getting in and out of them was a problem so Orrin equipped each of them with battery powered lift elevators. The elevators are popular with other drivers, too, who simply push a button for an easy ride up to the driver's seat. Once seated in the cab, Orrin can operate the combine as easily as anyone. He just hangs his crutch out the side and takes over the controls. The gear used for the elevator is from the platform control of an old pull type IH combine. Other types of reduction gears would also do the job, says Orrin. The control box has an off-on switch to energize the unit, and it has buttons for "up" and "down". Orrin is a combination farmer and machine shop operator. For years he has innovated and built a wide variety of machinery and equipment. He gets around his farm and machine shop in an electric golf-cart type vehicle which he also designed and built himself. He has flown his own plane for years.

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