Gadgets Returns.pdf - GLPTI

Gadgets Returns!
DATE AND TIME
HOST(S)
Tuesday, 24 February 2010 / 1PM-2PM & 215PM-315PM
Richard Sobecki
Southern District Park Superintendent
Huron Clinton Metropark Authority
Savage Road
Belleville, MI 48111
richard.sobecki@metroparks.com
SESSION DESCRIPTION
Have you developed or used a gadget lately that has revolutionized your park’s operations? From the smallest to the
largest, every gadget you use could come in handy for someone else! Don’t miss this show-and-tell for big kids that
has been a part of the Great Lakes Park Training Institute from its earliest years!
Session focused on the presentation of various inventions and commercial products intended to positively affect the
working environment and efficiency of various departments at multiple park and recreation agencies and
organizations. Presentations included videos, diagrams, and pictures as well as some actual products from multiple
individuals representing their agencies and organizations. Emphasis was on inventions but there were also some
commercially produced products that were mentioned for their usefulness or potential for alternative applications.

Items included: a raccoon-safe trash and recycling unit, a picnic table mover, a safer hornet catcher, effective
methods for soccer goal stabilization and movement (tow bar, wheel cart, and an anchor system), a system for lifting
and transporting golf balls through an indoor facility, a soccer goal lock, a tent side raiser, a tent tension tool, a nonmarking
deck tie-point, a pocket-size screwdriver, a drill-press depth stop, a soft-jaw vise, a dump trailer from an old
2-wheel wheelbarrow, and a stand-up fertilizer applicator. Suggestions were also made for how to mark rolls of tape,
fix seized engines, find tractor and equipment manuals, handle wide rims or wide tires, fix hydraulic systems, utilize
old serpentine belts as carrying systems, reuse old highway signs, create reusable signs for events and special
programs, utilize pointers for grease points on machinery, and how to effectively transport snow to areas approved
for sledding. Part of the presentation also included a vote for the Best Gadget.
SESSION LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Describe new tools and techniques developed in-house by your agency for improving your park operations
and efficiency.
Improved public speaking skills by presentation of tools or equipment developed, the process used and the
benefits of the tool.

4/27/2010
GADGETS SESSION
2010
presented by
Richard Sobecki
Huron Clinton Metroparks
GREAT LAKES
PARK TRAINING
INSTITUTE
GADGETS
◦ Innovative problem solving ideas
◦ Inexpensive
◦ Relatively easy to make
◦ Made from items around the shop
◦ Can be ideas
◦ Can be purchased items that make
the job easier to do.
Advertising a Park Event
◦ Large signs at entrances can
announce an event
◦ May be able to read entire sign as
they drive by
◦ May only catch part of it because of
traffic or other distractions
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4/27/2010
Sign Board
• Highlights one event
• Placed near event entrance
• Placed several weeks before event
• Park users are able to slow down and
focus on event
• Easy to put in place and remove
• Has an indefinite life
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Materials Needed for
A Frame Signs
Maintenance Reminder
◦2 – 4’ x 8’ sheets of plywood
◦4 – 2’ x 4’ x 8’ boards
◦2 hinges
◦Event Banners - $125.00
each
◦4” vinyl letters
◦ Routine Daily
Maintenance
◦ Greasing
equipment
◦ Listing number of
grease points
◦ Pointing them out
◦ Good reminder for
new or returning
employees
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Kids will sled wherever there
is snow and don’t realize the
danger.
The Solution
◦Bring snow to the hills and
rebuild the base
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The End Result
Portable Air Filtration System
Movable Air Filtration System
Remove dust from on site work
areas
Parts lists
• Bungee cord
• 20” portable fan
• 20” furnace filter
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Tools
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Problem with Frost and
Moisture on the windshield
12 Volt Rubberized Heater with Fan
Ideal for defrosting windows or providing instant heat.
Swing-out handle lets you use the heater as a spot defrost
360 swivel mount
Plugs directly into a 12 volt socket
Switch from heat to fan setting
Built-in LED flashlight
15 amp inline blade fuse
12V, 13 amps, 87" power cord; Overall dimensions: 7-1/4" W x 5-1/2" L x 2-3/16"
H
ITEM 96144-1VGA
$12.99
$9.99 NOT U.L. TESTED
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Black & Decker
Ready Wrench
•16 different sizes
–8 English
–8 metric
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To Be A Presenter
Contact Us @
GREAT LAKES PARK TRAINING
INSTITUTE 2011 GADGETS SESSION
PRESENTERS
• If you would like to present a gadget or gadgets or know
of someone who would, please notify me through one of
the following ways:
. Richard Sobecki
Park Superintendent
Lower Huron Metropark
17845 Savage Rd.
Belleville, MI 48111
( 734-697-9181
Fax: 734-697-1384
e-. richard.sobecki@metroparks.com
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4/27/2010
Gadgets 2010
Buffalo Grove Park District
Duke was
right, this does
work
Gadget # 1
Toro Groundsmaster 580 Tow Bar
BGPD 2010 1
BGPD 2010 2
Another Fine Mess Were In
• There is only 1/2 hour left before the end
of the day on a Friday and you get a call
that the largest and most expensive
mower your agency owns has broken
down a mile away from the shop. To add
to your frustrations, you look out towards
the West and notice the weather
conditions that you are going to work in.
We all Have Been There
This is going
to take hours
to fix
BGPD 2010 3
BGPD 2010 4
What If
• We had a tow bar,
so we can safely
tow our Toro 580
mowers back to
the shop to repair
it in a better
environment.
BGPD 2010 5
BGPD 2010 6
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BGPD 2010 7 BGPD 2010 8
• We welded two brackets on
the back bumper/frame of the
machines enabling a strong
connecting point for the tow
bar.
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Reese Tow Champ
BGPD 2010 13 BGPD 2010 14
Tow Bar 74950
BGPD 2010 15
Towing Instructions
• Lift up all the decks into the transport mode (if possible)
• Attach the tow bar to the rear of the machine with the supplied
pins
• Hook up the tow bar to the tow vehicle before disconnecting the
hubs
• Following the instructions from the Operator’s Manual to
disconnect the hubs
• You will need a operator to steer the 580 during transport
• Turn both the mower and the towing vehicle emergency flashers
on
• Use a back up vehicle to follow
• Slowly tow the machine
• When towing is complete reconnect the hubs prior to unhooking
the tow bar (this will prevent the machine from rolling)
BGPD 2010 16
Important!
Follow Operator’s Manual for
Special Towing Instructions
Gadget # 2
Soccer Goal Wheel Cart
BGPD 2010 17
BGPD 2010 18
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4/27/2010
Setting Up Soccer Goal for the
Spring Season
There must be a
better way to do
this
That is a long
way to drag this
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To Make Soccer Goal Wheels
You Will Need
• Two 1-foot sections of steel u-channel
sized to fit the bottom of the goal.
• Four large wheel-barrel tires
• Four bolts the same diameter as the
bearings on the tire.
• Liquid rubberized coating material (Dip It)
BGPD 2010 25 BGPD 2010 26
Putting It All Together
• Cut U-channel to 1-foot lengths.
• Cut out hand-holds on one side.
• Coat U-channel with rubberized
coating (this will help from sliding off
when transporting).
• Weld bolts to the outside of the U-
channel.
• Bolt on tires.
Instructions
Not Intended For Use on Public
Roads
• Lift goal and insert
wheels underneath
the goal.
• Pull the goal with a
utility cart using a
tow strap.
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BGPD 2010 28
Gadget # 3
Soccer Goal Anchor
Soccer Goal Anchor
• Most manufacturers’ methods of anchoring
the goal to the ground only prevents
injuries from the goal tipping over. The
tethering method, which allows some
movement, will prevent the goal from
tipping over and it will also help reduce
the chance of injuries from a player
impacting the goal during use.
BGPD 2010 29
BGPD 2010 30
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4/27/2010
To Make Soccer Goal Anchors
You Will Need
• Three anchors per
goal (two in the back
and one near the front
post around the bottom
rail)
• 3/16 chain cut into 21 ½
inch lengths
• 27 inch bicycle tire intertubes
(one tube will make
3 or 4 pieces)
• .375 inch S-Hooks
• 5/8 re-bar with ½ inch
washers welded on one
end
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Re-bar With Welded Washer
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BGPD 2010 33 BGPD 2010 34
• Before making any
changes or
alterations contact
the manufacturer
to get a written
letter of approval
Warning
Back side of
soccer goal
Easily move balls
between two
floors
Gadget # 4
Golf Ball Lift and Handling
Adjustable
height
Direct transfer from ball
picker to lift cart or ball
lift.
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BGPD 2010 36
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Golf Ball Lift and Handling
• We carried 1.5 tons
of golf balls a day to
the mezzanine level.
• We transported 5
tons a day to the
shooting stations.
• Problem how to do
minimize lifting and
carrying golf balls?
• Two bolts for easy take
down
• Thrust bearing for easy
rotation
•
• Steel pipe construction
• Hands free lifting
• Cones below to eliminate
pedestrian traffic
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BGPD 2010 38
• Steel frame for strength
• Chain welded to frame
• Snap hook for
disconnecting
• 4 ton lift motor
• Remote controls
• Pillow block for cable
transfer
• Slide door latch.
(To keep from accidentally
rain golf balls!)
• Slide door
BGPD 2010 39
BGPD 2010 40
• Easily transfer balls
from lift box to
distribution cart.
• Holds 15 buckets of balls • Transfer balls without
bending
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• Deliver balls on the
ground
• Large door for ease of
delivery
• Channeled sides to aim
golf balls
• Hydraulic lift for ease of
lifting
• Adjustable height for
different operators
BGPD 2010 43
• Hydraulic lift for ease
of lifting
• Adjustable height for
different operators
BGPD 2010 44
For More Information Contact
Thank You
Jim Holder
Supervisor of Athletic Maintenance
Buffalo Grove Park District
at
jholder@bgpkr.org
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Gadgets & Gizmo’s
2009
By Tom Salo
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The End
Tom Salo
salo@geaugaparkdistrict.org
1-440-632-1982
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THE HEAVIEST PICNIC TABLE
WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED
GADGETS
WEST CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT
GREAT LAKES PARK TRAINING INSTITUTE
2010
MANUFACTURED BY PLASTIC RECYCLING
The color is true all the way thru the plastic lumber.
Reinforced with steel.
This table will not be moved easily at 520 pounds.
unless
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4/27/2010
You own the four wheel picnic table mover by
Indesco
The handle also can act as a pin hitch.
Extremely easy to use, this unit will pick up 425 pounds.
The transporter rolls under the table seats. You pull back on the handle -
All the way back until it snaps into place.
The table is now off the ground and ready to be relocated.
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This unit has saved us time and money. One man can easily relocate a table.
A PERSON CALLED TO DONATE A TABLE TENNIS TABLE TO THE DISTRICT. BEING GOOD PARKIES, WE
BROUGHT IT TO OUR MAINTENANCE SHOP. THE DEPARTMENT RECENTLY MOVED INTO A 22,000 SQ.FT.
FACILITY FROM AN 8,000 SQ.FT. FACILITY. AFTER A RECENT INSPECTION, ILLINOIS IS AN OSHA
STATE, WE TO RELOCATE OUR DINING AREA INTO ANOTHER AREA OF THE BUILDING. WHAT TOOK
ITS PLACE WAS TABLE TENNIS WITH SPECTATOR SEATING.
OUR DAY BEGINS AT 7:30AM. STAFF HAS ARRIVED BETWEEN 6:00AM
AND 6:30AM FOR COMPETITION. INADVERTENTLY, THIS BECAME A
TEAM BUILDING EXERCISE: YOU CAN HAVE FUN AT WORK.
RYAN ‘PONG’ FOTIK AND KEN ‘ROCKET’ MCEWEN SHOWN.
EACH DAY STARTS OUT WITH EVERYONE LAUGHING. YOU ALL KNOW THE
TYPES OF COMMENTS THAT ARE MADE TO THE PLAYERS WHILE PLAYING.
OUR ATHLETIC FIELDS SUPERVISOR IS AN INTENSE COMPETITOR BUT OUR
MECHANIC IS THE JOHN MACENROE OF TABLE TENNIS.
FLYER INFORMATION FOR PICNIC TABLE TRANSPORTER. THIS
COMPANY ALSO HAS A BLEACHER MOVER AND SOCCER GOAL MOVER
WHICH REDUCES MAN POWER DOWN TO TWO PEOPLE.
PICNIC TABLE DIMENSIONS
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PICNIC TABLE DIMENSIONS
Additonal Indesco Products
Soccer, lacrosse and bleacher movers
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Tent Side Raiser
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Tent Tension Tool
Non Marking Deck Tie Point
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4/27/2010
Pocket Size Screwdriver
Plate Vise
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Non Marking Temporary Holders
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TIPS
GADGETS 2010
GIVE THE IDEAS A TRY
BY BILL BRAUER
SAVE YOUR TAPE
ON A ROLL
USE A PAPER
CLIP IN PLACE
OF FOLDING
OVER AND
WASTING TAPE
GOT A SEIZED ENGINE ?
WANT TO SAVE IT ?
• Use KROIL/AEROKROIL from
www.kanolabs.com
• OR
• Use ENGINE RELEASE from
• www.seized-engine.com
• Save on no overhaul
NEED TRACTOR AND
OTHER EQUIPMENT
MANUALS ?
• Contact Jensales, Inc
200 Main St. Manchester, Minn.
56007 800-443-0625
• Or 507-826-3666
• www.jensales.com
• See also Farm Show publication
• Vol. 33, No. 6, 2009 page 38 for
other manual suppliers.
HAVING TROUBLE
SEATING THE BEAD with
wide rims & wide tires ?
• Kenny from Davenport, VA suggest
spraying a ―bit‖ of ether (aerosol
starting fluid) inside the tire (after it
is mounted on the wheel) and ignite
it with a flame on the end of a 10 ft.
stick.
• He suggests his idea is ―kind of
dangerous and a lot of care has to be
taken‖. He does chain the wheel to
―something‖ solid like a post or tree.
―IGNITING‖ TIRE
CONTINUED
• POPULAR MECHANICS Dec. 2009 on
page 89 suggests---
• ―A 2-second shot of CARB CLEANER,
followed by a flick of your lighter,
literally blows the beads on to the
rim allowing you to air up normally.
Warning: We are not responsible for
singed eyebrows or pinched fingers.‖
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MEG-MO SYSTEMS
SEALLUBE
• Has anyone had any experience
with the Meg-Mo system ?
• A disc with 4 knives that will
fold-back to avoid damage.
Replaces the standard blade.
• www. meg-mo.com
• Seals leaks in most hydraulic
fluid systems—power steering—
rack & pinion—transmissions—
crankshaft main seals.
• www.seallube.com
• I am trying it in a hydrastatic
transmission—no conclusions
yet. (1oz. / quart capacity)
SERPENTINE BELT
• Save your old
ones !!!
USED SERPENTINE
BELT
• OTHER USES
1. Use it over your shoulder to carry
items like pipe-panels etc.
2. I used one to pull an agitator out of
a washing machine.
3. Strong-cable reinforced-wide
―rubberized‖ surface--could
probably use it to tow things.
REUSE OLD HIGHWAY
SIGNS
• Strong
• Durable
• Bendable
• No cost if you
scrounge them
SIGN METAL USES
1. Flat screen
bracket
2. Cell & GPS
mounting
bracket
3. Smaller sign
backing
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DRILL PRESS DEPTH
STOP
• Use a spring clip
• Weld a nut that
matches the thread
of the depth rod
• Cut the nut in half
• Clamp nut on depth
rod where you
want the stop.
• No more need to
run the other stop
nut up & down the
depth rod
SOFT JAW VISE
• Made from pine
2X8
• Bolt on a
plywood backing
& clamp on
bench or bolt on
bench directly
• Better protects
soft materials
SOFT JAW VISE CONT.
SOFT JAW VISE CONT.
DUMP TRAILER FROM A
2 WHEEL WHEELBARROW
NEED TO KNOW YOUR
EQUIPMENT RPM ?
• Use a mechanical
gauge
• ―Treysit‖ sirometer
• ―Vibratach‖
• Place tightly on
case of running
motor—turn top
part of meter-wire
emitted-when wire
in resonance-read
the scale in RPM or
cycles/second.
• www.treysit.com
• $ 20.00
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RPM CONT.
• There are many electronic
meters available but cost
more, though I did find one
www.harborfreight.com
Item # 66632--$29.95
• Another mechanical hand
held Stewart-warner that
is applied to the end of the
output shaft.
NEED MORE REACH WITH
YOUR PIPE CLAMPS ?
• Two ¼‖x2‖x10‖ flat steel with
one 1 1/8‖ hole drilled near the
end of each—slide them on the
¾‖ pipe with the clamps. Weld
the end of the flat steel to the
pipe clamp.
• See next picture
PIPE CLAMP
EXTENSION
Pipe clamp ext. problem
OR---EXTEND THE FLAT
STEEL BEYOND THE PIPE
AND INSTALL AN
ADJUSTABLE SPREADER
Pipe clamp ext. improve
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OR---BUY CLAMPS LIKE
THIS
POLYALL 2000
• Sets in minutes
• 2 equal parts – mixes like water
• Glues-set-bonds in minutes into
a hard durable plastic
• Out performs epoxies and resins
POLYALL 2000 CONT.
• Repair & restore wood
• Hobby & craft uses
• Repair & strengthen fiberglass
• Repair concrete & stone
• Repair metal, rust & corrosion
• www.polyall.com
POLYALL 2000 CONT.
• Like epoxy, it is a two-part system
but unlike epoxy, PolyAll 2000 has
the initial consistency of water.
• This enables it to soak into any
porous surface, be poured into a
complex mold, or flow between two
broken parts that have to be bonded
but cannot be separated.
POLY ALL 2000 CONT.
• This is a urethane that mixes, pours
and penetrates like water then
hardens into a hard, durable, water
& gasoline proof plastic and it does
all this in JUST THREE MINUTES at
room temperature.
• It can be sanded and painted in six
to ten minutes. It can even be used
outside in the winter and will set in
thirty minutes at 32 degrees.
STAND-UP FERTILIZER
APPLICATOR
• For placing fertilizer next to
plants without touching and
burning them.
• Utilizes 1‖ plastic pipe & valve
• See model picture drawing
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STAND UP
FERTILIZER
APPLICATOR
CONT.
STAND UP
FERTILIZER
APPLICATOR
CONT.
You build it
yourself!
STAND UP
FERTILIZER
APPLICATOR
CONT.
6