A publication of the AgrAbility In Dakota project.
P.O. Box 1206, Mandan, ND 58554 (701) 663-6828 ext 303 or 1-800-247-0698 ext 303
esgwnd@btigate.com - www.ext.nodak.edu/agrability
Promoting Success in Agriculture for People with Disabilities and Their Families
Fall 1999 -- Volume 2, Number 3
Disability of 44 Years Does Not Stop North Dakota Farmer
Cliff Ellingson, 72, of Glenfield, North Dakota, was born and raised on a farm. Cliff started helping on his parent's farm at a young age. At the age of 25, he was drafted by the United States Army. Cliff, a Korean War Veteran, served a field artillery unit. In 1954 Cliff was honorably discharged from the Army and returned home to take over the family farm.
In May of 1955 Cliff was kicked in the leg by a cow. He was hospitalized and a cast was put on. His leg became infected and gangrene set in, which required his left leg to be amputated. A prosthetic leg was developed to help him to continue his daily activities, including farming. Cliff continued to farm successfully using his prosthetic leg until April 1998 when he missed a step while walking out of church and broke his right hip. Hip replacement surgery was required. Even with his hip replacement, Cliff continued to farm without missing a step.
AgrAbility In Dakota received a phone call from Al Trader, sales manager of Rosenau Equipment, Carrington, N.D. Al stated he had a customer who needed some assistance getting into his newly purchased John Deere tractor. Information was sent and an on-site assessment was scheduled. Al Trader accompanied AgrAbility In Dakota staff to Cliff's farm for the on-site assessment/visit. Cliff stated his hip is not as strong as it once was and would like some ideas on how he could get into his tractor without over-working his hip. AgrAbility In Dakota recommended a standing lift which would elevate Cliff to a point even with the floor of the tractor cab so he can walk right into the cab of his tractor. A lift was built by NDSU Extension and Rosenau Equipment adapted and assembled the lift according to the structure of the tractor.
With the use of the standing lift, Cliff continues to do the work necessary to meet the needs of the farm. Cliff enjoys the company of his two older sisters, two younger brothers and many nieces and nephews who live around the Glenfield area. He is also very active in his church and is treasurer of Haven Township.
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Noise level Maximum daily exposure time
(Decibels dB) without hearing protection
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85 8 hours
88 4 hours
91 2 hours
94 1 hour
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The following is a list of the decibel readings (level of noise) for various types of farm equipment. If you are interested in readings from other machinery, please call.
Tractors Combines ---------------------------- ----------------------------- Case 1070 94 dB New Holland TR70 85 dB International 1466 91 dB Massey Ferguson 750 90 dB CaseIH 685 97 dB John Deere 9500 76 dB John Deere 2155 94.5 dB Gleaner N-6 81 dB Massey Ferguson 360 95 dB International 1460 80 dB Ford 5640 97 dB ----------------------------- Versatile 936 80 dB ----------------------------
Hearing protectors can be very effective, but only if they fit properly and are worn correctly. The more carefully you select and wear hearing protectors, the higher your protection will be. Hearing protectors may feel uncomfortable at first, but give yourself a chance to get used to them, just as you do with a new pair of shoes or glasses.
Press firmly cupped hands over your ears while listening to a steady noise. With properly fitted plugs the noise levels should be about the same whether or not the ears are covered.
Formable plugs are compressed or shaped prior to insertion. The most popular variety is made of expandable, slow-recovery foam. One size fits most everyone. Once in the ear, foam plugs gently expand to provide a snug and secure custom fit.
Premolded plugs are made from flexible materials that are preformed to fit the ear. They are generally available with a joining cord to prevent loss. Most premolded plugs are sold in two or more sizes and must be individually sized for each ear.
Semi-aural devices, also called canal caps, consist of pods or flexible tips on a lightweight headband. Because they are quick to put on and take off and easy to store around the neck, they are ideal for intermittent use. They provide less protection than either plugs or muffs and are not usually recommended for continuous long-term wearing.
Earmuffs have rigid cups with soft plastic cushions that seal around the ears to block noise. Foam-filled cushions are usually preferred over liquid-filled versions because they are lighter, more durable, and equally protective. For very loud noises, wear muffs and plugs together for an additional 5-10 dB or so of protection.
Giveaway
Wanted
North Dakota State Fair - Minot - July 23-31
Mercer County Fair - Beulah - August 26-29
Missouri Valley Rural Safety Affair - Bismarck - September 25
West River Regional Medical Center OT/PT Department - Hettinger - September 14
Big Iron - West Fargo - September 14-16
Occupational Therapy Convention - Minot - September 18
Health & Wellness Fair - State Capitol - September 22
Dickinson Ag Show - Dickinson - September 30-October 1
St. Joseph Hopital OT/PT Department - Dickinson - September 30
Tom Alexander, Co-Director
AgrAbility In Dakota
P.O. Box 1801, Minot, ND 58702
Bus. (701) 839-4121 Fax (701) 838-5998
Cell (701) 720-4276 Res. (701) 852-3471
Email: alextom@minot.com
Trina Gress, Co-Director
AgrAbility In Dakota
P.O. Box 1206, Mandan, ND 58554
Bus. (701) 663-6828 ext. 303 Fax (701) 663-6859
Toll Free Nationwide 1-800-247-0698 ext. 303
Cell (701) 220-4272 Res. (701) 221-2649
Email: esgwnd@btigate.com
George Maher, Ag Safety Specialist
NDSU Extension Service
Box 5626, Ag Engineering 115
North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105-5626
(701) 231-8288 FAX (701) 231-1008
Email: gmaher@ndsuext.nodak.edu
The National Grant Program of the AgrAbility Project is a joint effort of The USDA Extension Service, The National Easter Seal Society and Purdue University's Breaking New Ground Resource Center. Support for this newsletter is provided by the USDA Extension Service; Project #92-EFDA-1-10013.
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