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Skid Loader Lift
Skid Loader Lift

The Skid Loader Lift made for Picton, Ontario, farmer Ian Hofford allows him to access the operator's station through the front opening of the protective cage. (It was designed such that the cage would not be weakened.) The lift consists of (a) three telescoping arms mounted on the top of the cage that are extended and retracted by a 12- volt hydraulic cylinder system; (b) an electric winch mounted on the end of the last arm; (c) a cable that runs from the winch over a pulley at the end of the arm; and (d) a sling attached by a clip to the end of the cable. The winch and self-contained hydraulic system are connected to the skid loader's electrical system. (The lift's hydraulic system was designed to be independent of the machine's hydraulic system so the engine does not have to be running in order for the lift to operate.) To use the device, Hofford telescopes the arms out in front of the bucket (which is resting on the ground) and transfers into the lowered sling from his wheelchair. He is then raised by the winch and moved back over the skid loader's operator seat as the telescoping arms are retracted.

Caution symbol Caution Notes: Most cable-and-winch manufacturers warn against using their equipment for lifting people. If either cable or winch were to break at any point, the operator would fall and might be injured. Therefore, only a winch designed to lift people should be utilized.
Estimated Cost Cost range: See below

Limitations Limitations Addressed by Product: Lower extremity, Upper extremity


SourceIan Hofford
Picton, Ontario
Canada
Last updated: Dec 29, 2023


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