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“Fitters” Like First Cordless Shears
After nearly five years of development, a new cordless shears for grooming livestock debuts this year. The Pro-Vadoä is the industry’s only cordless model, says entrepreneur Nate Hitson of West Milton, Ohio. He and his wife, Cindy Hitson, began working on the shears in 2012.
  “I absolutely love fitting livestock for shows,” says Hitson, who grew up showing sheep, working for a fitter, and competing in 4-H and FFA livestock judging.
  He first experimented with a cordless multi-tool to see if the idea was feasible, then connected with the University of Dayton’s Innovation and Design Center. With the help of students, Hitson decided a brushless DC motor was the best way to power the shears.
  He made connections with Bosch to use their 2AH (30 min. run time) or 6AH (1 1/2 hr. run time) batteries. The aluminum heads are from Germany’s Hauptner-Herberholz, a well-known company in the shears industry.
  The body of Hitson’s shears is similar to the Premier 4000, and the same blades and sheep shearing head work on both models. It has been tested and approved by professional fitters. “One fitter has finished 1,300 cattle on one with our shears,” Hitson says.
  Professionals love the freedom of not having a cord. Product-tester fitters say they appreciate the speed of a cordless shears as well as the smooth running, quiet, and quality of cutting. With two batteries and a charger, fitters can work continuously.
  As the Hitsons make final adjustments before going to an Ohio manufacturer, Pro-Vado is taking pre-orders. The sheep shear combo, with a battery charger and two 2.0AH 18-volt batteries, costs $699. A clipping head combo, suitable for other livestock, is $679. Sullivan Supply will also carry the shears.
  Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Nate Hitson, West Milton, Ohio (ph 602 908-5784; www.provadossi.com; www.facebook.com/provadossi; nate@provadossi.com)


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2017 - Volume #41, Issue #2