Rosalia, WA, farmer Chuck Schmidt made a Spring-Loaded Telescoping Ladder that provides an additional step close to the ground. This telescoping step "rides" at about the same height as the lowest step on a combine ladder. When weight is put on it, a spring mechanism causes the step to slide down closer to the ground. Once Schmidt is on the ladder and his weight off the step, it springs back to its higher position so as to avoid dragging or catch-ing on the ground.