By Andi Anderson
At Iowa State University’s Agricultural Engineering and Agronomy (AEA) Farm, safety is always the first priority—especially when handling massive tractor tires that can weigh more than a ton.
With up to 30 tires changed each year, proper training, equipment, and safe handling practices are essential for the farm’s daily operations.
To make the job safer and faster, the farm recently added the TireGrabber, a patented tire handler designed to securely grip and position large tires. Attached to the front of a skid loader, the tool allows workers to remove and replace tires quickly and safely.
Tasks that once required several people and heavy machinery can now be done in five minutes by just two people.
“We can more safely handle the tires, which is important because we move a lot of tires due to research projects,” said Nathan Meyers, AEA farm manager. “We’re constantly changing equipment, and this makes it much more efficient.”
The tool’s creator, Darcy Goossen, president of TireGrabber, and Steven Minken, business development manager, were inspired to partner with Iowa State after meeting Meyers at a trade show.
During a campus visit, they decided to lease the TireGrabber and a sprayer jack to the university at no cost to support agricultural safety education.
“Steven and I wanted to donate to causes where we could see the impact and plant seeds of safety for future generations,” Goossen said. “The TireGrabber is user-friendly and perfect for a university setting.”
Meyers noted that the tool will benefit not only the AEA Farm but also other research farms on campus. “We want everyone to be safe, so when we aren’t using it, our other farms are welcome to borrow it,” he said.
Kendall Lamkey, associate dean for facilities and operations, praised the addition as a model for safety across Iowa State. “My top priority is to ensure the safety of all my employees,” Lamkey said. “I consider the TireGrabber a huge addition to keeping our faculty, staff, and students safe.”
The TireGrabber demonstrates how innovation, collaboration, and safety can come together to create lasting improvements for agricultural research and education.
Photo Credit: iowa-state-university
Categories: Iowa, Education, Rural Lifestyle, Farm Safety