The best tow truck wheel grids that you've never seen

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  • čas přidán 29. 11. 2021
  • Get them at merlemanufacturing@gmail.com
    Austin and I have come up with a new product to help protect the oil pans on cars being towed with wheel lift tow trucks. As anyone who's towed with a wheel loft truck knows, oil pan damage is always a risk and great care has to be taken to avoid it. But as we also know.... I don't like being careful, so I had to get creative. After a few napkin drawings with Austin, we came up with the Pan Saver Wheel Grids. They over double the amount of oil pan clearance from the crossbar, and on most vehicles they move the oil ban back behind the crossbar, which completely eliminates the chance of oil pan damage. No more having to swerve and avoid potholes, crawling through rough intersections, inching over speed bumps, and best of all... no more double picking. In addition to that, they also offer another tie down option that eliminates the chance of scratching rims, and holds larger oversize tires in a much more secure way than the standard lasso strap. For pricing and how to order, reach out to Austin at merlemanufacturing@gmail.com
    @MilwaukeeTool

Komentáře • 409

  • @CaseyLaDelle
    @CaseyLaDelle  Před 2 lety +22

    To order or get more info, contact Austin at merlemanufacturing@gmail.com

    • @c-qc-q2021
      @c-qc-q2021 Před 2 lety +4

      Add a product/order page to your website... and discount coupon here... plus T-Shirts, hats, etc! Get your family involved in the merchandising part of the biz.

    • @CaseyLaDelle
      @CaseyLaDelle  Před 2 lety +5

      @@c-qc-q2021 we have merchandise, and will be getting these added to the website soon

    • @platinum6978
      @platinum6978 Před 2 lety +6

      @@CaseyLaDelle patent pending or patent issued, ill make whatever I wanna make 😆 I just can't sell it 🤔

    • @CaseyLaDelle
      @CaseyLaDelle  Před 2 lety +10

      @@platinum6978 that is correct. You can make anything you want for your own personal use

    • @platinum6978
      @platinum6978 Před 2 lety +3

      @@CaseyLaDelle I do think u guys are awesome 👌 God Bless you for everything you do 👏 buying a set of these seems a lil easier than going through R&D to build them. I'm also pretty sure you could still sue me for copying your design, which I love the chains!

  • @sarukmaktao225
    @sarukmaktao225 Před 9 měsíci +4

    As a fellow wrecker operator, I love how you actually did this. Seeing how things can go wrong, helps me to do things right. Helps me to understand the physics of what I'm working with. Very cool!

  • @sandralutz-rodriguez2864
    @sandralutz-rodriguez2864 Před 2 lety +17

    28:57 just a tad LOL. What an awesome tow upgrade. I am NOT a professional but I can tell this makes way more sense than the stock options. Well done guys and Merle is a smart pup, he knows!

  • @roberthambrook150
    @roberthambrook150 Před 18 dny

    Certainly not lacking explanation Casey.

  • @leshawthorn3772
    @leshawthorn3772 Před 2 lety +15

    Well that was a surprise. Great upgrade guys and love the testing, cracked me up. I have always said, let the guys that use a product design and test it, not the engineers that are told design it for this many dollars.

  • @haiderk3246
    @haiderk3246 Před měsícem +1

    Thank to you all 🙏

  • @djbarry1695
    @djbarry1695 Před 2 lety +37

    Casey that was a very pleasant surprise! I'm glad the extra caution with the lawyer was because you were being a very good entrepreneur, and not what I had feared was litigation against you because of a tow. That is what we need more of in this industry! Real world drivers and owners upgrading the equipment as needed because of experience and not because of some quota or bottom line! Awesome job like always!

  • @sped6954
    @sped6954 Před 17 dny

    I remember one that was really, really bad about cracking an oil pan. You don't see this one around much anymore, but from about the mid 80s through to the early 00s, GM had those at first 2.3L and later 2.4L Quad-4 cast aluminum oil panned engines that loved to bite into wheel lift crossbars. Those VWs out of the 80s and 90s loved them too. I remember checking into one of them for the first time and seeing this oil pan completely exposed to evertything, just way down there, nowhere near a crossmember or engine cradle or anything else that MIGHT take some of a hit. I looked at that one and "That is sooo going to hit if I get anywhere near even a tiny pebble in the road". There was a Chrysler engine too, but I don't remember what it was. It happened to be the only time I ever cracked a pan. I looked at it too before I left, and it really had tons of clearance, or so I thought anyway.

  • @jonvisit7657
    @jonvisit7657 Před měsícem

    this is awesome, and love the wheel grids

  • @MaxNafeHorsemanship
    @MaxNafeHorsemanship Před rokem +6

    Great idea. I had an old Mini (a real one) with a cast aluminum oil pan that was even worse than the VW. I told the driver to pick it up from the back to eliminate the risk. He refused because it was front wheel drive. I had no concern because it was a manual transmission going a short distance. It was also my request, but he insisted "NO". I checked for damage later and hoped he had good insurance. Your wheel grids would have eliminated my worries. Every change you made was well thought out and a good idea. Well done.

    • @remko2
      @remko2 Před 10 měsíci

      wel, 14cm ground clearance on a classic mini, I scraped the bottom on speed bumps on more then one occasion .... and the oil pan is the whole bottom part of the engine containing the transmission, guess a whole new engine would be the cheaper option.
      luckily A series engines are pretty abundant (well, they were/are around her), my mini dealer had a big shed full of them as he salvaged them from unsalvageable minis

  • @kenc1800
    @kenc1800 Před měsícem

    Casey, you are a natural at GOOD at “MOVIE MAGIC” and explaining things. You have a silver tongue…..but wait that is not all, we have a tie down built-in. Wow if I was a tow truck driver, I would buy one!

  • @MJPeddler
    @MJPeddler Před 2 lety +18

    Seems like a simple solution for a troublesome problem.

  • @chewbutt30me79
    @chewbutt30me79 Před rokem +1

    you will "sell" it by showing that it works, credit to the two of you for all the effort

  • @hectorzelaya1863
    @hectorzelaya1863 Před 2 lety +3

    The first 12 ton that I drove back in the days it had that ratchet setup when I first staring watching your videos I spotted it and took me back driving in San Francisco days. They work even with flat tires.

  • @ironhorse7588
    @ironhorse7588 Před rokem

    Great upgrade. Thanks for thinking out of the box. I'm ordering my set.

  • @DiscoveringOutdoors
    @DiscoveringOutdoors Před rokem

    Necessity is the mother of all great inventions. Sometimes it's the guy with vision and drive that solves the Caramilk secret... lol, keep providing your awesome videos. I look forward to them 👍👍

  • @nextbizzy
    @nextbizzy Před 2 lety

    Good luck on your new venture!

  • @michaeldunn150
    @michaeldunn150 Před 2 lety

    Thanks Casey! Great info!!

  • @rayrussell6064
    @rayrussell6064 Před 2 lety +4

    This is why I enjoy your videos how you test things just Crack me up so keep up the awesome content

  • @Fasttowpro
    @Fasttowpro Před 2 lety

    That was what you were talking about 😅 it makes so much since 🙌🏿

  • @mitchlopina
    @mitchlopina Před 6 měsíci +1

    Like the grids. I wish there were ragular ball retainers on the impacts. The older Craftsman ones had that option, but not any anymore.

  • @billrimmer5596
    @billrimmer5596 Před 2 lety

    Fun vid. Good product!

  • @raymondmora2642
    @raymondmora2642 Před rokem

    I'm glad your video doesn't put me to sleep . Always looking for the next one. Have a great day.

  • @lonhoschar1943
    @lonhoschar1943 Před 2 lety +3

    Great video!! Nothing proves science like some good old fashioned destruction!! LOL!! LOVED IT!! Oh yeh, I think you had some really good ideas on how to improve the wheel grids!! Hope you sell a million of them!!

  • @willfoster1146
    @willfoster1146 Před 2 lety +7

    Excited to see these coming to the market- I’m sure they’ll be a hit!

  • @HJZ75driver
    @HJZ75driver Před rokem

    Front tyre tiedown is the same as what we use in Australia. Use them on tilt trays (rollbacks), have keyed sections in the tray they slot into.

  • @stevenbolster8035
    @stevenbolster8035 Před 2 lety +1

    Good job Casey

  • @bobby9623
    @bobby9623 Před 2 lety

    That’s awesome man. Good idea.

  • @douglasbrooker5834
    @douglasbrooker5834 Před rokem

    This is a practical improvement. Good one!

  • @SamIam420
    @SamIam420 Před 2 lety +2

    simple engineering at its best! i understood everything.

    • @merle6989
      @merle6989 Před 2 lety +1

      Casey is great at explaining. 😁

  • @JoJodeanpergl
    @JoJodeanpergl Před 2 měsíci

    Poor Merle is all "HEY! Its Merle height!" @ 04:15

  • @dennisgeroux4483
    @dennisgeroux4483 Před 2 lety

    Good fab job, nothing like improving the tools you work with.

  • @earlharrell7750
    @earlharrell7750 Před rokem

    GENIUS CASEY! It's about time someone made an effort to change the way the average person looks at a tow truck driver and the use of their equipment! I have had some pretty bad experiences with "Lazy" tow truck drivers that abuse their equipment AND my cars/trucks! (I have also had some great ones as well) If the equipment removes the "Human Error" factor from its use, both the tow truck driver and the car owner have a better experience. Very Well Done! Earl Harrell.

  • @TowMan127
    @TowMan127 Před 2 lety +5

    Very nice! Big improvement compared to the factory grids. I’ve seen it on the truck and never realized they were different 😂. I like the strap part as well. 👏👏👏👏

    • @CaseyLaDelle
      @CaseyLaDelle  Před 2 lety +2

      The strap winch is very handy on cars with low profile tires and wide rims, and also holds oversized tires much more secure

    • @merle6989
      @merle6989 Před 2 lety +1

      Email me if you want a set, the email address is in the description. 😁 ~Austin

    • @TowMan127
      @TowMan127 Před 2 lety +1

      @@CaseyLaDelle I strap a similar way but this is nice cause I won’t need to use my ratchets and have to worry about it hitting the bumpers when the car moves up and down.

    • @TowMan127
      @TowMan127 Před 2 lety +1

      @@merle6989 what’s up brother. I don’t own the company or the truck so I wouldn’t be purchasing these but if I did I’d switch them on all the trucks. Volkswagens are a nightmare on wheel lifts. Every time I tow one I get nervous 😂

    • @merle6989
      @merle6989 Před 2 lety +1

      @@TowMan127 thanks for the good words. talk to your boss and show them the benefits. One cracked pan and these would have paid for themselves. These are just one more tool to try and lessen liability. 😁

  • @gschallert3293
    @gschallert3293 Před 2 lety

    Brilliant idea! Go sell them. Another American Dream come true.

  • @invisibilianone6288
    @invisibilianone6288 Před 2 lety

    Loving the brilliant solution, ❤🎯😎☕☕

  • @geepeerces
    @geepeerces Před 2 lety +1

    sigh, one of my favorite cars was a 1989 Jetta GLI 16V I bought new, and it had plenty of ground clearance, I took it on dirt roads all the time, never bottomed out. this was back when a 185/60R14 was a 'low profile' tire.

  • @DependableAutoTruck
    @DependableAutoTruck Před 2 lety

    great idea you are the man

  • @edwinschlee8374
    @edwinschlee8374 Před 2 lety +3

    You guys had to much fun with this video! But I hope you sell a bunch of those new lift items!

  • @jeffrosburg9490
    @jeffrosburg9490 Před 2 lety +2

    Casey, If you flip your ratchet around you'll get it like an inch closer to the tire and add more clearance between the strap and the bumper.

  • @michaelmeyers1827
    @michaelmeyers1827 Před 3 měsíci

    Looks like you’ve done great job of designing

  • @bobbg9041
    @bobbg9041 Před 2 měsíci

    I think adding a airbag type shock system to both sides of the lift bar would help stiffen a cars bounce on the lift rack. Right now it relays on the cars suspension system being good. It might not be good.

  • @kubikariYOU
    @kubikariYOU Před 2 lety

    Good job, good thinking.

  • @donaldhalls2189
    @donaldhalls2189 Před 2 lety +1

    Awesome invention hope all goes well all the best with your future

  • @RUIZ44
    @RUIZ44 Před rokem

    THANK YOU I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME BY DOING THIS VIDEO

  • @andrewharmon2369
    @andrewharmon2369 Před 2 lety

    Way to go man.

  • @josephsmuckatelly8767
    @josephsmuckatelly8767 Před měsícem

    If you are concerned about your strapping system hitting the bumper just add a guide for the strap closer to the wheel.

  • @bryanyoung9482
    @bryanyoung9482 Před 2 lety +1

    U can also use the chains and retract the boom and pull the L amrs under the tires and lock them in. I've done this with vehicles with flat tires

  • @hollychefner8464
    @hollychefner8464 Před 2 lety +3

    Wow just great Casey and Austin, congrats so happy for you both, at least you have your prototype built.
    Go right to a Manufacturer have them produce your product, decide a percentage or have them buy it outright.
    A Patent only gives you the right to sue if stolen
    Example: man invented truck bed liners, his original prototype he had Halter Marine make it out of fiberglass...
    Today truck bed liners are usually made of hard rubber, yes?
    Does that effect the original Patent?
    You bet it does.
    So enjoying your videos

  • @edwardhendry2179
    @edwardhendry2179 Před rokem

    Good video thanks.

  • @Emsh10n
    @Emsh10n Před 2 lety

    I could totally use this on a rollback especially, the benefits exponentially greater with your design

    • @CaseyLaDelle
      @CaseyLaDelle  Před 2 lety +1

      They will go right on rollback cross bars too!

    • @merle6989
      @merle6989 Před 2 lety

      Web store isn't up yet (I'm not techy). Get ahold of me if you want to put your name on a set. Contact info is in the description and contacts.

  • @mikemay1922
    @mikemay1922 Před rokem

    That wheel lift receiver is a great improvement implementing the chain on the L arm that's a good idea what I usually do in case if the vehicle has a flat or it doesn't fit in the holes I will lift the car up a little bit with the L arm on put a block underneath the tire set it back down lock the L arm it in tighter tie strap is great to avoid front bumper weld a small bridge bring closer to front of tire on the receiver slide strap through done👍👍

  • @invisibilianone6288
    @invisibilianone6288 Před 2 lety

    Merle knows best🎯😁

  • @RunDub
    @RunDub Před 2 lety +2

    Nice design! Hope you sell a bunch of them!

  • @25vrd48
    @25vrd48 Před 2 lety +1

    Good invention . Great video boys . Hope y'all make a bunch of money .

  • @user-zn9gu8db8p
    @user-zn9gu8db8p Před 4 měsíci

    Think it's a great upgrade at first i was thinking the L arm spacers would do the same thing but I was wrong it's moving pan away from the crossbar i cracked a pan on a golf using a 2020 Vulcan intruder using the jaw spacers i took it easy but all it takes is one bump on weak struts and game over its the only pan i cracked ever in 30 years hope you do well with this

  • @98xj64
    @98xj64 Před rokem

    More adjustment options for the first time you lift. Good idea

  • @historykzg6747
    @historykzg6747 Před 2 lety

    I want to see same test with Vulcan Wheel scoops vs L-Arsm it will be super cool to watch.

  • @towlife270
    @towlife270 Před 2 lety +3

    That is great!!!! I am curious about the longevity of the pivot on the crossbar for the lift. Have you noticed any extra wear at all? I could also see the benefit of the lift not being extended as far since this adds distance between car and truck.

    • @CaseyLaDelle
      @CaseyLaDelle  Před 2 lety +3

      No problem at all for the pin, and still well within it's design thresholds

  • @familygene9030
    @familygene9030 Před 2 lety

    Very clever ideas..

    • @merle6989
      @merle6989 Před 2 lety

      Decent amount of tape measuring and an afternoon of fabricobbling...... And you see the prototype set I built 6 months ago..... 😁

  • @Bryan-FAA-certified
    @Bryan-FAA-certified Před 11 měsíci

    I like that design. Honda like to hit the oil pan too

  • @rattles3044
    @rattles3044 Před 2 lety +1

    That was fun !
    🤪🤣

  • @econarail
    @econarail Před 2 lety +1

    As for the Milwaukee gun you guys need to make sure you purchase the right gun. If you're using a friction ring that's designed for changing sockets quickly. I use the pen detent style which the pen lines up with the hole in the socket. You have to take a little screwdriver or something poke it in the hole to get the pen to release the socket. So then if you have a lug nut that sticks all you have to do is thread it on about 2 or 3 threads rock the gun back-and-forth and the lug nut comes out.

  • @dennyj8650
    @dennyj8650 Před 2 lety

    I so need that setup to lift my truck sideways so I can work on it!

  • @henrycarlson7514
    @henrycarlson7514 Před rokem

    So wise , Thank You . Interesting use of you're lift , Thank you. A much better design

  • @wjhjr1415
    @wjhjr1415 Před rokem

    Nice!

  • @charlesahon
    @charlesahon Před 2 lety

    Cool design.

  • @10yrplan94
    @10yrplan94 Před 2 lety

    Damn this is actually genius 👏

    • @merle6989
      @merle6989 Před 2 lety +2

      We try to consider ourselves as problem solvers 😁

  • @georgestrong8692
    @georgestrong8692 Před 2 lety

    Video was educational and amusing as always. One small problem. Our 1992 jerr Dan roll back has a wheel lift with 1 foot wide wheel grids
    Strong Transport LLC

    • @CaseyLaDelle
      @CaseyLaDelle  Před 2 lety

      One foot wide maybe, but not one foot wide and extended...

    • @lspocza1
      @lspocza1 Před 2 lety

      Don't ruin a young man's dream. Of course these things are available on the market but I live in Oregon and I'll always buy local.

  • @margreetanceaux3906
    @margreetanceaux3906 Před rokem

    Merle should educate Lucy, who doesn’t yet recognize the difference between work, or doing crazy stuff.

  • @alkennedy1124
    @alkennedy1124 Před 2 lety +1

    I already have that designed skid pads I have had that exact one for years yers and years , kool thanks BigAl California

  • @who-gives-a-toss_Bear

    23:37 that jump in the vid, must be due to cross threading the lug nut using the gun.
    Most folk start lug nuts by hand.
    24:09 That's the way, maybe a lesson learned.
    But still a great show.

  • @desmondriddler6780
    @desmondriddler6780 Před rokem

    Just read the comments on the change in lift capability. It is not lot . It's more of a problem when oil spills onto the road and may cause an accident to a biker. Well done,

  • @SnappyCandids
    @SnappyCandids Před rokem +1

    I am wondering how much more stress is being placed on the middle pin due to 4” of mechanical advantage of the new grid. Just a thought. Great practical idea.

    • @CaseyLaDelle
      @CaseyLaDelle  Před rokem +1

      At the wheel lift's max rated load, it puts an extra 90 pounds of force on the system. Basically, it doesn't affect it at all

  • @invisibilianone6288
    @invisibilianone6288 Před 2 lety

    "Sponsor me ,,,after saying something bad about their products",,, they should be jumping at the opportunity to sponsor/send you all kinds of their products.
    You are honest about your findings of FAULTS as well as the QUALITY of the tools you work with.
    Nothing worse than an untruthful presentation of a product.
    .
    Finding faults, even in quality products,,,pointing out poor, or defective design,,,ITS WHAT WE DO🎯😎☕☕

  • @michaelcauser474
    @michaelcauser474 Před měsícem

    How much would you have had to pay for a 30 minute infomercial on World wide televisions? But on CZcams I would expect that you would actually get some form of revenue for doing it. Now need to amortise advertising costs into the price when you start to sell these. Excellent work Gents.

  • @bigjay6743
    @bigjay6743 Před 2 lety

    Nice.

  • @chrisahearn326
    @chrisahearn326 Před rokem +1

    You can replace the clip on the end of your impact and it will hold your sockets

  • @thomashall7658
    @thomashall7658 Před rokem

    Did you drill holes in your L-arm to hold the hook of the hold down strap? How many, what spacing, what size holes?

  • @clarisabetancourtmaryjane9908

    Lol good video 🔥

  • @pmae9010
    @pmae9010 Před rokem

    We make what we need, sweet!

  • @Chillin-fpv
    @Chillin-fpv Před rokem +2

    Personally I like the cars ties to sit a little lower in my wheel lift so it doesn't bounce out. That looks sketchy to me lol and I've never had a problem with a car bouncing and hitting the pan

  • @DRS-TOOLS
    @DRS-TOOLS Před rokem

    That's cool

  • @bought2build
    @bought2build Před 2 lety

    Hey Casey I noticed you had issues with the socket falling off the impact gun are you’re guns the ball lock style like some ratchets? Or is it the metal ring style lock? I have the ring style lock have had multiple for 5 plus years of pretty heavy use and have never had an issue I know it sounds crazy but Milwaukee has different grades of impact guns google it and you will find that some are more of a home owner grade with the pin/ball to lock on the sockets some times even having less power and some are more commercial use with the metal ring and sometimes more power I never knew it was a thing until a friend had showed me so I figured I would pass it on

    • @CaseyLaDelle
      @CaseyLaDelle  Před 2 lety

      I have guns with both styles, and both do the same thing

  • @williamkeehn3637
    @williamkeehn3637 Před 2 lety

    This is a good video why you should tie down vehicle I have Is seen companies Towing it's without any tighthounds

  • @juliogonzo2718
    @juliogonzo2718 Před 2 lety

    That's pretty slick! Good job solving a problem, wish you success

  • @jamesmartin7282
    @jamesmartin7282 Před rokem

    Innovative!

  • @itsmeagain9119
    @itsmeagain9119 Před 2 měsíci

    nice

  • @timlogue9414
    @timlogue9414 Před 2 lety +2

    Hey so I gotta idea for them why not make a little bar the strap goes under right in front of the tire to hold it away from bumpers and stuff just a thought as I saw it close to the bumper.

  • @jacobhughes8539
    @jacobhughes8539 Před 2 lety +2

    I don’t own a tow truck but I want a set of these 😂 I think the car fell off the wheel lift because of only 3/4 lug nuts holding the LF wheel on. -Joking aside that looked like fun! 👍

    • @randymack1782
      @randymack1782 Před 2 lety

      I dont have 1, but now wanting to build 1, using 1 of wrecker booms I have from my youth, I own 3 booms, but no decent trucks, other than play toys. but with a sling, and using a cable operated wheel lift, I am stuck in the past, and what I used growing up.

  • @tomstradinger5958
    @tomstradinger5958 Před rokem

    Brilliant idea hope ya make a. $$$$$$

  • @twobrotherstowingllc3448
    @twobrotherstowingllc3448 Před 6 měsíci

    Wanna ride with you one day for a vlog awesome videos keep up good content and definitely do sponsors and whatever you have to get this channel going more and to help others I’m with the support

  • @aaronjohnson3129
    @aaronjohnson3129 Před 2 lety

    I drove tow trucks for about 20 years and I first started out driving a one ton Chevy with a single line winch then a 75 GMC with a 800 Holmes wrecker that truck was a beast then went to roll backs didn't like it to well but anyways can you haul a dully back wards then the last truck I operated was 07 4wd Chevy topkick that thing was the biggest POS truck I have ever drove it constantly had problems with it but those look nice good luck with them

  • @towgod5959
    @towgod5959 Před 2 lety

    We do alot of police towing and with accident cars or any busted ball joints control arms you need that complete wheellift show length.

    • @CaseyLaDelle
      @CaseyLaDelle  Před 2 lety

      Nope, not at all. I used these for 6 months before making this video and have done all those things with no problems at all

  • @bigheadedmartian
    @bigheadedmartian Před 2 lety

    Drill a little on the impact wrench and put a magnet in it problem solved love the content besafe .

  • @timlogue9414
    @timlogue9414 Před 2 lety +1

    Hey how much you asking for the truck I heard him say you selling it. Love the 7.3 and the 4x4 is a huge plus
    Also when sockets get stuck just put impact in reverse and bump it it’ll loosen up a little

    • @CaseyLaDelle
      @CaseyLaDelle  Před 2 lety +2

      I sold it over a month ago, then it was totalled in a wreck a couple weeks later

    • @timlogue9414
      @timlogue9414 Před 2 lety +2

      Oh wow so sad the 4x4 swap was so cool but I just went back and realized in my busy life I’ve missed a few videos.

    • @CaseyLaDelle
      @CaseyLaDelle  Před 2 lety +3

      @@timlogue9414 yeah it was definitely a bummer

  • @bradpetersen5595
    @bradpetersen5595 Před rokem

    Now you know. Tape measure, standard toolbox item.

  • @hermannvogel9239
    @hermannvogel9239 Před 2 lety

    It was good to see the Ford.

  • @Turd-Ferguson.
    @Turd-Ferguson. Před rokem

    Jerrdan the way to go

  • @dennyj8650
    @dennyj8650 Před 2 lety

    Nice Job on your patented invention!