The American writer and philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson, said, “Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door!” Indefatigable inventor Bertus Goosen from Botswana believes he has done just that with his ingenious “muisval” that won him first prize in Category D: Household Equipment, in the Boerepatente Kompetisie at the recent Nampo Show. Here are some of the other entries that caught Joe Spencer’s eye.
Stump cutter
C van der Westhuizen of Kakamas (082 824 4938) won first
prize in Category A: Machinery and Implements with his
hydraulically-powered stump cutter. This portable powershear
provides a low-cost solution to a serious problem.
Hose clamp tool
C A Smit from Bothaville ((056) 515 3163) won first prize in
Category B: Modified Farm Tools, with this nifty device for
creating low-cost hose clamps from standard galvanised wire.
Boreholecleaning machine
Danie Cawood from Hennenman
(082 222 1090) has won prizes
in previous Boerepatente
competitions. This year he
took second prize in Category
A: Machinery and Implements
with his borehole-cleaning
machine. Danie says a major
feature of his invention is that
it can do the job without the
windmill having to be removed.
Planter harrow
This simple spring-tine
harrow, fitted behind each
unit of a maize planter,
covers the seed and
leaves a finish that inhibits
capping. It won second
prize in Category B: Modified
Farm Tools for David
Roux of Leeudoringstad
(082 316 3071).
Electrode extender
Another winner from Bertus
Goosen was this simple but
effective electrode extender,
which makes it possible to
weld in awkward places
without having to strip the
machine being repaired. This
won second prize in Category
C: Electrical Appliances.
Bertus’s third place in this
category was for an overhead
cable extension, which keeps
the cable safely off the floor.
The unit also incorporates
an adjustable working light.
Cane trimmer
Trust a farmer to find a simple solution to a difficult problem. C Cronje of Stilbaai, 082 705 2736,
demonstrates his electrically powered trimmer for removing the protrusions from cane sticks. Cane
is a readily available material, currently very popular for screens and ceilings. The trimmer makes it
possible to create neat, close-knit panels. Cronje won first prize in Category C, electrical appliances.
Drying oven
G Gutter of Brandfort, 073 140 1761, claims
that his drying oven, second prize winner
in Category D, household equipment, can
dry fruit and vegetables cost effectively.
It also dehydrates the produce without
adversely affecting the colour.
The mousetrap
Bertus Goosen’s mousetrap, which won
first prize in the household equipment
Category, proved difficult to photograph
so that one could see the operation of this
ingenious device. It comprises a ramp to
a hole in the upper section leading to a
revolving platform with bait at the far end.
As the mouse steps inside, the platform
revolves and deposits the hapless rodent
into the tank below, where it drowns.
Bertus can be contacted on 002 6754 04719
Roundabout
Just for fun, Bertus Goosen made the roundabout/chair-aplane
kiddies ride from an old differential and axle.
Multipurpose Braai
It has been said that if all the engineering expertise expended in
the creation of the perfect braai was directed to more conventional
engineering projects, South Africa would be an industrial
powerhouse. Bertus Goosen’s Multi-braai has it all; conventional
braai, electric spit roaster, baking oven, stove plate and working light.
