Fold-Down Bumper Makes Engine Work Easier ENGINES Engines 26-4-41 Routine engine maintenance, like checking fluids or replacing spark plugs, can be difficult on pickups, trucks, vans or recreational vehicles. Otis Huff, Little River, Texas, found a way to make those jobs easier. He designed a replacement front bumper and grill protector that folds down into a work platform. "It's an idea I've had since I was 19 or 20 years old," says the 69-year-old retired farm equipment mechanic. When he retired a few years ago, Huff began working out the details in his shop. Since then, he's made several prototypes of his bumper, using mostly scrap steel. When folded down, Huff's work platform is bumper height and runs the full width of the vehicle, about 20 in. wide. It's built strong and there's plenty of room to set tools and parts on it. For larger vehicles, the bumper can be fitted with wings that fold out along the sides of the truck. Huff has applied for a patent on the idea and the design of some parts of the fold-down bumper. "I'd like to talk with someone who owns a small manufacturing company or machine shop that would be interested in manufacturing it," he says. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Otis Huff, Box 455, 1306 W. Mesquite St., Little River, Texas 76554 (ph 254 982-3402).

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