FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Patent Awarded to Petersen Industries for QuadStick Mechanical Controls

Photo shows Hamp Osburn Petersen Industries’ Production Manager in front of QuadStick’s with new patent

Lake Wales, FL, December 2008 – Petersen Industries, Inc., manufacturer of the Lightning Loader grapple truck, has received a patent #7,353,652 B2 for their QuadStick control apparatus.  The QuadStick controls are mechanically linked dual walk-thru joysticks for mounting on Lightning Loader grapple trucks.  Each control lever has 6 functions.  The levers are linked into a central valvebank by rods.   

Petersen will offer the QuadSticks as an option in place of the traditional valve handle controls.  The company believes that the joysticks will be much more intuitive and easier for new operators to learn.  There are no electronic components on the QuadSticks, so they are well suited for an all-weather environment, and will not require regular maintenance beyond occasional spray grease.  The QuadStick controls can be retrofitted onto existing units.   

For additional information on the QuadStick controls, contact the factory at 1-800-930-5623 x227 or visit www.petersenind.com.  Brochures, basic specs, and video demonstrations are available on the Petersen website.  

ABOUT PETERSEN - Petersen Industries, Inc. manufactures Lightning Loaders for the trash, agricultural, arbocultural, and aggregate markets.  Petersen’s Lightning Loader® grapple truck is used by over 750 cities and counties nationwide, and by most major waste companies.

In the mid 1970's Petersen was asked to design a knuckle-boom that could be used for loading bulky trash. The result was a trash loader concept that has been improved and refined over the last 30 years. With the exception of 3 or 4 engineered items, Petersen manufactures all other major components, including most hydraulic cylinders. With complete CNC machining and fabrication facilities, Petersen is able to control every aspect of schedule and quality control.

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