You can make belt crimps that look as good as factory crimps with a new hydraulic-powered "vise lacer", according to the Kansas inventor who's worked on the idea for six years.

Crimper lets you work on belts without taking them out of the baler. It's compact -- 18 by 15 in. -- and is fitted with a removeable 12-ton hydraulic jack. The press bars are made of tool steel and lacer has a wide throat to accommodate the largest belts available. It also has a built-in toolbox.

"Other hand-powered belt crimpers on the market are big and clumsy. This is easy to use and gives you a factory crimp," says inventor Royce Wheatcroft, Dighton, Kan.

To allow for different thicknesses of belts and laces, the vise-lacer has adjustable stops on the press bar.