Minnesotan Designs A Safer Hitch Pin
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Justin Kelzer has been thinking about making a safer hitch pin since 1999. This February, the 32-year-old Minnesotan introduced the fourth version of his Keep-In hitch pin at the 20th Annual Commodity Classic in Phoenix, Ariz., as one of two finalists of Successful Farming magazine’s Innovation Showcase Contest of 2014.
“The main advantage is that it’s all self-contained. The key is a safety stop. You’re not putting a separate pin in it. A lot of people have told me that when driving in corn stalks and hay fields hitch pin clips get pulled out,” Kelzer says. His father had two experiences with pins coming out, causing damage to equipment and a tractor, which led to Kelzer’s interest in making something better.
Instead of slipping in a separate pin, Kelzer’s Keep-In hitch pin has a handle that you squeeze to retract a key at the bottom.
The pin is a shaft (3/4, 7/8 or 1-in.) with a machine-drilled 1/8-in. hole through it that is counter-bored close to the end for a compression spring and plunger; the plunger is counter-bored so the knob of a bike cable fits flush inside.
“The key has a slot cut into its end for a torsion spring which is held in place by a screw that goes through the shaft,” Kelzer explains. “When you squeeze the handle, the cable pulls the plunger up into shaft and the torsion spring makes the key retract.”
After receiving input from a manufacturer at an Iowa event that was part of his contest winnings, Kelzer modified the handle to be less bulky.
“I made the handle tougher (3/8-in. rod and flat steel) to stand up better to use and abuse,” he adds. “I included a hole in the plate for a padlock; the key can’t be pushed in with the handle locked. A lot of farmers need to leave their equipment in the field for days at a time, being able to lock the pin will hopefully deter thieves and vandals. Also, it will keep children from pulling the pin out of the hitch and causing damage or injuries.”
With a patent pending on his design, he welcomes calls/emails from anyone interested in manufacturing it.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Justin Kelzer, 1312 Apron Rd., Randall, Minn. 56475 (ph 320 360-5875; Justin_kelzer@yahoo.com).
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Minnesotan Designs A Safer Hitch Pin HITCHES Justin Kelzer has been thinking about making a safer hitch pin since 1999 This February the 32-year-old Minnesotan introduced the fourth version of his Keep-In hitch pin at the 20th Annual Commodity Classic in Phoenix Ariz as one of two finalists of Successful Farming magazine’s Innovation Showcase Contest of 2014 “The main advantage is that it’s all self-contained The key is a safety stop You’re not putting a separate pin in it A lot of people have told me that when driving in corn stalks and hay fields hitch pin clips get pulled out ” Kelzer says His father had two experiences with pins coming out causing damage to equipment and a tractor which led to Kelzer’s interest in making something better Instead of slipping in a separate pin Kelzer’s Keep-In hitch pin has a handle that you squeeze to retract a key at the bottom The pin is a shaft 3/4 7/8 or 1-in with a machine-drilled 1/8-in hole through it that is counter-bored close to the end for a compression spring and plunger; the plunger is counter-bored so the knob of a bike cable fits flush inside “The key has a slot cut into its end for a torsion spring which is held in place by a screw that goes through the shaft ” Kelzer explains “When you squeeze the handle the cable pulls the plunger up into shaft and the torsion spring makes the key retract ” After receiving input from a manufacturer at an Iowa event that was part of his contest winnings Kelzer modified the handle to be less bulky “I made the handle tougher 3/8-in rod and flat steel to stand up better to use and abuse ” he adds “I included a hole in the plate for a padlock; the key can’t be pushed in with the handle locked A lot of farmers need to leave their equipment in the field for days at a time being able to lock the pin will hopefully deter thieves and vandals Also it will keep children from pulling the pin out of the hitch and causing damage or injuries ” With a patent pending on his design he welcomes calls/emails from anyone interested in manufacturing it Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Justin Kelzer 1312 Apron Rd Randall Minn 56475 ph 320 360-5875; Justin_kelzer@yahoo com
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