Not every product that catches your eye at a farm show is new. It may be a new idea to you, but it’s been around for a while. That doesn’t mean it can’t be the one idea or one product you bring home that makes the entire time spent at the show more than worth it.

If you have sliding toolshed doors on tracks and are still opening and closing them by hand, the Propel system that opens and closes doors effortlessly might be that “one idea” for you. It’s an eye-catcher when you see it in action for the first time. It’s easy to think of a time when you wished you didn’t have to crawl off the tractor or climb out of the truck and open a door, or close it and fiddle with fastening it shut once you were parked inside the shed.

Spokespeople say it’s the same principle used on garage doors but applied to shed doors. Hit a remote, and the door opens or closes. It works effectively on doors up to 42 feet wide.

The Propel door opener uses a motor with one moving part and features internal obstacle detection and photo cell safety sensors. There is no loss in opening height for the shed by installing the system, and it doesn’t require ongoing maintenance once installed. The system comes with a five-year warranty on the opener itself and a two-year warranty on accessories. It works with existing doors on your shed. Use it on wood or metal-frame buildings.

Check out Propel Sliding Door Automation, Chatham, Ill., by calling 888-391-8592 or visiting propeldoors.com.