Those who use protein and mineral tubs know the strain it can put on your back, with some tubs weighing 250 pounds. The idea for the Tub Hand Trailer struck designer and builder Lester Evans when his friend came by the ranch in Jonesboro, TX, to deliver mineral one day, wearing a back brace.
The friend told Evans he had hurt his back again by handling “these dadgum tubs” and someone should come up with a better way to deliver the tubs. With a background in the trailer business, Evans thought he might be able to come up with a solution. Last April, Evans began work on what would eventually become the Tub Hand Trailer.
“We did a prototype build, and there was a pretty good development process there, because there’s so many tubs available—all different diameters and different heights,” Evans told WLJ. “So we had to create something that could basically put out every tub on the market. There was a lot of thought that had to go into this where it would correctly deliver any tub at the touch of a button.”
Evans said the Tub Hand Trailer is the only one like it on the market. The trailer features an electric elevator and has a wireless remote control that goes into the cab, just like a garage door opener, Evans said. All it takes is the press of a button and the front of the trailer is elevated for a tub to slide down a chute. The trailer holds the rest of the tubs to allow just one tub to come off at a time.
“You can go straight to the feed store and have them drive out there with the forklift and slide the tubs in,” Evans said. “You’ve got other people, members of the family that would like to help out and do things around the ranch, and with this product it’s so easy once it’s loaded.”
Evans also noted the trailer doesn’t have to be pulled by a truck and can be pulled by a tractor or ATV. The trailer also has a cover over the top so it can be left parked outside without the risk of the feed getting wet.
“I tell people, most people never hurt their back with the 50-pound sack of cubes,” Evans said. “But everybody that’s been around these tubs winds up getting hurt in one way or the other. It’s a very back-breaking deal.”
The trailer is now available in three different models. The protype model holds eight tubs and is priced at $5,985; the 12-tub model is priced at $7,250; and the 18-tub model is priced at $8,450.
Those interested in learning more about the trailer can visit tubhand.com for contact information or to place an order. — Anna Miller, WLJ editor
