The Otter Tail County Highway Department hosted this year’s Minnesota Roadway Maintenance Training and Demo Day—and it displayed and demonstrated its “Otter Claw” homegrown innovation. The project received funding through the Local Operational Research Assistance (OPERA) Program.
The event, in Fergus Falls, was attended by 130 workers interesting in growing their skills. The education sessions and
demonstrations were engaging, and participants asked many questions. Between sessions, participants networked with other agencies and cruised the equipment showcase. Here are some program highlights:
- Brian Barott, MnDOT CMV/equipment training specialist, and Marv Hayes, MnDOT transportation program specialist, returned to discuss updates to the CDL requirements and proper load securement for different types of equipment.
- Jake Carr, Carr Tree Services, emphasized safety techniques—and felled a tree to show safety in action.
- Tom Wood, MnLTAP instructor and ASTECH Corp. pavement specialist, shared best practices for crack sealing, filling, and mastic crack repairs. He was later joined by Carl Abbot, Stepp Manufacturing, to show techniques for applying best practices.
- MnLTAP hosted a ceremony honoring 2021 Roads Scholar Graduates.
Not shown: Cristi Field, Otter Tail County.
The Otter Claw helps culvert cleaning crews clean beaver dams from clogged culverts. “What once took over two hours of shoveling by hand now takes about 10 minutes with the Otter Claw,” says Brody Bakken, Otter Tail County highway maintenance worker. “The claw and cleaner can extend to 15 feet, which allows for removing debris in less time, and the operator can use the Otter Claw to clear large amounts of debris safely away from the culvert.”
Bakken and Dennis Bosek developed the device. According to Bakken, the original design worked well but it could not turn 360 degrees. The team needed a hydraulic swivel head, so they submitted a grant to OPERA and received funding to purchase the hydraulic swivel.
“These employees have gone above and beyond to design the Otter Claw,” says Cristi Field, maintenance supervisor. “We are extremely proud of them. One idea sparks another—we support that innovation.”
30 years of LTAP
The Spring Maintenance Expo,
launched in 2000, became
today's Minnesota Roadway
Maintenance Training and
Demo Day in 2012.
Learn more:
- OPERA
- Demo Day presentations
- Roads Scholar