—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, April 30. 1977
60
Harold Barley was determined enough to stay in
his chosen profession despite a fall which involved
a broken neck and substantial paralyzation. He
uses a hoist to get into his tractor. Helping him is
employee Randy Hunt.
Harold Barley
[Continued from Page 56]
Christine, 17; Pattie, 19; and Debbie, who has since
married.
Meanwhile, family and friends kept the farm going.
Support came from Barley’s parents, Harold and Ada
Barley, Sr,
Hie community rallied, too. While all who helped are
too numerous to mention, according to the Barleys, it is
perhaps fitting to list a representative few.
A neighbor provided a farm rent-free for a year. Local
churches contributed at least $1,500. Friends even
provided manpower and equipment.
Barley especially remembers the help of Don and Joyce
Hershey. “Don arranged for an operator to run my
combine for two months. This netted $20,000. He never
would accept a penny.”
During the first year, Barley spent most of his time at
home in his wheel chair. Or, he was driven around the
farm by a member of the family or a friend.
One day, Nancy suggested that he drive the car himself.
The transmission was automatic. Gears could be changed
by hand. To control the foot pedals, June could use a long
stick.
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With a little practice, Barley found he could drive.
Eventually, he bought a truck with an automatic tran
smission. He used this to oversee work. - - -
But, Barley wanted more. “I couldn’t stand the thought
of my children never seeing me work again.”
So, he wrote to International Harvester about types of
tractors that an individual with his handicap could use. He
owned several I.H. tractors and thought the company
might be able to help.
“They told me about the 1066 Hydrostatic tractor that
can be shifted by hand and has power steering and
brakes.”
Barley purchased the 125-horsepower tractor in 1973.
But he didn’t make any major modifications for about six
months. ■
He used his time to determine if he could stand the
stress of operating the tractor. He got in and out of the cab
by being virtually lifted by employee Steve Frey, who was
to become his son-in-law. To control braking and ac
celerating, he installed hand levers?
He also thought a lot about an easier way of gaining
access to the cab. .
Finally, when he knew he could cope successfully, he
asked Glenn Hess, a local mechanic, to mount a hoist
inside the cab. The hoist is bolted to'a track on the roof. It
consists of a wench powered by a 12-volt electric motor.
Total cost of modifications, including installation, was
about $2,000.
Using this, Barley literally wenches himself in and out
of his cab.
To get in the tractor, a member of the family or em
ployee will first help him into his harness. He attaches this
to the hoist. While he wenches himself up, someone will
hold his feet.
To get out, the steps are reversed.
Generally, he will get in and out twice daily.-
The tractor also is equipped with a heater and air
conditioner. Both are used to maintain proper tem
perature and thus keep Barley’s blood pressure stable.
Another key feature of the tractor is a two-way radio.
While such a radio may be common in many tractors, it’s
essential for Barley.
He had this installed in his equipment after he became
stranded once in his tractor. Now, he can talk to Nancy in
the house or get assistance, when needed.
Before the accident, Barley'farmed with his father. He
had about 250 acres, did some customer combining and
kept a few steers.
Now he farms for himself. He has twice as many acres
involving 16 different properties. He rents most of it. All
are within 7% miles of the home farm where he and Nancy
have lived since 1956.
Last year, Barley baled all the hay 8000 conventional
bales and another 4000 bales of straw and corn fodder.
He also planted 320 acres of corn.
With Don Hershey as his partner, he also manages the
sow and feeder pig operation, with 160 sows. He feeds out
an equal number of steers yearly.
As for help, Randy Hunt and Clarence Osborne hold full
time jobs. During the Summer months, he hires up to
three part-time helpers.
Barley is not a mechanic. So he depends on friends Jay
Shenk and Phares Breneman to maintain his equipment.
©
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Jay is a garage mechanic and Phares, a service rep at
C.B. Hoober & Son, Intercourse.
Says Don Beidler, the International Har
vester Hoober dealership, from which Barley buys his
equipment: • - , /
“The highest compliment I can give Barley is that he
does not ask for anything extra. He simply does not want
to be treated different than anyone else.”
As to Barley’s outlook on life, it’s simply this:
“God has given me a purpose in life. This is what I have
to work with and I am grateful. I have the finest wife, the
finest family, the finest neighbors and the finest neigh
borhood in the world. Who could want more?”
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