A Lundar-area inventor is gaining provincial recognition for a farm safety tool designed to reduce the risk of serious injury during tractor hitching.
The Drawhand is a handheld extendable tool that allows an operator to insert a hitch pin from the cab of a tractor
Kurtis Howardson earned second place in the Farm Safety category at the Innovation Showcase during Manitoba Ag Days, held Jan. 20–22 in Brandon. The annual agricultural trade show featured 28 new products and services across seven innovation categories.
Howardson’s invention, called The Drawhand, is a handheld extendable tool that allows an operator to insert a hitch pin from the cab of a tractor, eliminating the need to step between equipment while hitching implements.
“You feel like Wile E. Coyote standing back there — you’re right in the line of fire,” Howardson said. “That’s where the idea came from. I thought there had to be a safer way to do this.”
The idea was sparked in 2020 while Howardson was helping his father-in-law, Donald, with haying. Not a full-time farmer himself, Howardson found himself repeatedly getting on and off the tractor to line up equipment and insert hitch pins — a common task that can turn dangerous in slippery or uneven conditions.
Once the hitch pin was finally in place, the concept for The Drawhand took shape.
The all-aluminum tool holds the full hitch pin at one end and is designed to be used through the rear window of a tractor cab. After backing up to the implement, the operator inserts the pin using the tool, applies slight pressure by easing the clutch, then releases the pin with a simple twist.
“You can do the whole job yourself, from the cab,” Howardson said. “There’s no one standing behind the tractor, and you’re not climbing in and out multiple times.”
Howardson said the tool is intended to reduce the risk of crushing injuries, finger loss and fatalities that can occur during hitching. He also noted its benefits for older farmers or those with mobility issues.
“I talked to a lot of older farmers at the show with bad knees or hips,” he said. “They said, ‘Where was this tool years ago?’ Anything that cuts down steps and downtime makes a big difference.”
The Drawhand is designed for tractors ranging from approximately 20 to 140 horsepower and features an adjustable friction-lock system that allows the tool head to be angled for different drawbar heights.
The Farm Safety category at the Innovation Showcase was sponsored by Manitoba Ag Days and Grainews. First place was awarded to the Fence Mower by R‑Tech Industries, which cuts grass along fence lines without damaging posts.
Runner-up winners receive a cash prize and advertising credit as part of the recognition.
Howardson said the experience at Ag Days was overwhelmingly positive and provided valuable feedback from producers across Manitoba and beyond.
“It was my first time at Ag Days and my first time showcasing anything like this,” he said. “The interaction with farmers was huge. People really saw the benefit right away.”
Howardson holds patents for The Drawhand in both Canada and the United States and is now exploring manufacturing and investment options to bring the tool to market.
“I’m keeping my options open,” he said. “I’m looking for the right partner — someone with deeper pockets — to help take this from prototype to production.”
Howardson said showcasing The Drawhand at Manitoba Ag Days also helped validate the years of work that went into developing the tool. A patent agent he worked with during the process was surprised a similar product hadn’t been introduced decades earlier.
While the tool is not yet in commercial production, Howardson said interest from farmers, manufacturers and potential partners continues to grow. Several attendees at the show expressed a willingness to purchase the tool immediately if it were available.
“For me, this was about proving the concept,” he said. “Now it’s about finding the right path to get it into farmers’ hands.”
For now, Howardson is focused on spreading the word and building momentum through agricultural shows and community exposure.
Howardson can be reached at 1-204-214-0104 or by email at khowardson29@gmail.com.
