Yankee Ingenuity

COLD PATCH HEATING TRAY

Road Commissioner Bill Lynds from the Town of Anson has a nifty cold patch device for their pothole operations around town. With the help of Jody Manzer, who is a town truck driver and builder of this unit, they developed this device for the benefit of their town road crew. It keeps the patch material warm and workable, it has a lower and more comfortable platform to work from, it's quick mounting and dismounting, and it's a great idea. For more info, call Bill or Jody at 696-3979.

BACKHOE MOUNTED "BUSH HOG"

Public Works Director Glenn Ricker from the Town of Milo has built a little unit which he uses to keep roadsides mowed and clear of brush. This helps with drainage of the roads and visibility for motorists. It's a one-person operation and has good "reach" and operating visibility. It cuts brush up to 3 inches in diameter. No more chain saws and chippers for the road crew in Milo. For information, call Glenn at 943-2202.

PAVEMENT ROLLER

Public Works Director George "Butch" Free from the Town of Veazie has invented many things and this is his first creation. This 3000 pound pavement roller would cost around $8,000 if purchased from a dealer but he built it for around $1,200. This "Butchbuilt Roller" is built from materials and parts laying around the shop except for the hydraulic pump, the drive motor and control valve, the drive sprockets, and the drive chain. The 16 HP Briggs and Stratton engine was retrieved from an old snowblower and everything else was built from scratch. Total labor time was 70 to 80 hours. For more info, call Butch at 947-2781.