Exoskeleton Finds Use On Farm

Exoskeleton Finds Use On Farm Sarah Ballini-Ross admits that exoskeletons can be hot and awkward to wear and are far from perfect. At the same time, she and her husband, Tyler, wouldn’t be without them. Whether handling tasks on their pastured livestock Rossallini Farm or picking up and delivering their grass-fed meat under their Oregon Meat label, the high-tech harnesses help with the heavy lifting. “When I delivered 3 tons of frozen meat to customers this past week, my exoskeleton was like having a buddy in my pocket to do 40% of the lifting,” says Ballini-Ross. “It helped as I packed 165 coolers with 50 to 75 lbs of meat each, three high, and later delivered them.” Exoskeletons are wearable suits that help support or boost what a person can normally do. They can make them stronger or improve movement. They come in a wide variety of types and designs. For moving heavy boxes of frozen meat, Ballini-Ross used an Apex 2 exoskeleton. “It works like back muscles,” she explains. “When you bend over, it stores energy. When you stand up, it releases energy. It works like a system of levers to distribute force throughout your body.” Ballini-Ross and her husband have logged thousands of hours using dozens of occupational exoskeletons while trimming hooves, building a high tunnel, installing miles of water lines, building fences, and completing other farm projects. Her access to many different makes and models of the tools is due to her weekday job. When she and Tyler started their pastured livestock farm, she was working for Oregon’s not-for-profit workers’ compensation company. She saw firsthand the damage caused by hard, repetitive physical labor. She was also exposed to the benefits of exoskeletons and other evolving workplace technologies. “I started using them on our farm to better understand them,” says Ballini-Ross. “I’ve worn 55 different exoskeletons out of about 95 different makes and models just for supporting the back. On top of that are others made to aid specific body parts, such as arm exoskeletons for overhead lifting.” In 2023, she co-founded Evolving Innovation, a company providing safety technology and ergonomic solutions. When not presenting at conferences, she and her partner help companies and their employees find the exoskeleton that works for them. Ballini-Ross notes that most exoskeletons were designed for repetitive factory work involving lifting. However, transferring the technology to farm work requires the same thought process as in the factory. “If there are other safer and easier ways to get the job done, do them first,” she says. “However, if there are jobs that are really beating you up, start looking for an exoskeleton that’ll work the best for the job, the other equipment you use, and the animals that might be involved.” Some jobs, no matter how difficult, may not justify the cost, such as quick tasks that take only 30 seconds. Consider the activity and the pattern before selecting an exoskeleton. “Exoskeletons are pretty expensive, running from $800 to $5,000 each, so try before you buy,” she says. “Will it work getting in and out of a tractor, under insulated coveralls in cold weather, or when it gets 115 degrees in the sun?” She advises checking out Exoskeletonreport.com when considering options. It provides a listing of exoskeletons currently on the market. “We’re seeing more interest from agriculture with its aging workforce,” says Ballini-Ross. “The right exoskeleton can give a person some of their life back.” She notes that many owner/operators are not ready to retire, but their bodies are. Their bodies no longer have the same abilities they had 20 years ago. The biggest problem, she notes, is that young workers don’t recognize the wear that’s taking place until it’s too late. While still young, she and her husband know better. “I figure my exoskeleton can help my body continue doing what I want it to do,” she says. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Oregon Meat Co., 41354 Shindler Bridge Dr., Scio, Ore. 97374 (ph 503-970-2529; www.oregonmeat.com) or Evolving Innovation (sarah@innovatepnw.com; www.innovatepnw.com).

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