Product Profile October 2008:
STOW-A-BRAKE: Necessity inspires invention

Dreaming of an efficient way to handle the metal field brake is what inspired the simple design of the STOW-A-BRAKE. The all new patented design of the STOW-A-BRAKE enables one man to quickly and efficiently set up, use, and stow the portable field brake. The two spring-loaded, heavy-duty arms, fastened to the side of a ladder rack or truck cap, makes brake handling a breeze. Now one man can set up the brake in less than a minute, and after using the brake, it can be stowed in less than a minute.

The STOW-A-BRAKE is designed and built by Emanuel Esh, who runs Joyland Roofing, a ten-man residential re-roofing crew in Lancaster County, Penn. During the 15 years of roofing, Esh wondered why no one had ever come up with a better way to handle brakes. His crew foreman did not like to always carry it along to the jobs as it took up room on top of the truck. Hanging it on the side of the truck rack blocked the side tool box. Unloading and reloading the brake is a job that takes two men approximately a total of one man hour each time.

Esh laid out a plan for the type of holder needed to make to make handling metal field brakes easier. There would need to be a side mount where the brake could be lowered to the working level. It must be strong enough to hold the brake while bending and allow access to the side tool boxes. Other criteria included that it be one-man operable, cost-efficient, easy, quick, and safe for transport and use. Esh headed to a local welding shop and by that evening had the first version of the STOW-A-BRAKE on the side of the truck. While this first one was rather crude, it served the purpose very well. And now after seven years of improvements and testing, the STOW-A-BRAKE is a tool that is well worth investing in. After using it, the crew leaders will not want to do without it.

The ease of handling the brake can help to eliminate back injury, thus avoid costly medical bills.  Each arm is fastened to the truck rack or cap using two bolts. The brake is easily mounted to the STOW-A-BRAKE arms. By using a simple clip and pin system the brake can quickly be removed from the truck at the job site as the need arises. Each STOW-A-BRAKE arm locks into position at the working level and holds the brake in position for field bending. No need for saw horses to set it on. When you are finish with the brake you simply and easily stow the brake back up to the side of the truck. Hence the name STOW-A-BRAKE.

STOW-A-BRAKE is stainless steel and aluminum construction, for lightweight strength and durability, with self lubricating bronze bushings at pivot points.  It weighs 55 lbs. for easy shipping.  The normal mounting time is only one to two hours and mounts easily on most ladder racks. In some cases extra brackets will be needed.

The STOW-A-BRAKE handles the Tapco, and Vanmark brakes, either 8' or 10', and 14" or 19" throats. STOW-A-BRAKE also handles the heavy duty brakes. You do not need the brake stands that come with the heavy duty brakes, as the STOW-A-BRAKE is stable enough for the field bending.

For more information logon to http://www.stowabrake.com/.