Along with inventing a hoist and founding a company, Jones also served in the Army during the occupation of Japan.Photo: The Free Press
The inventor of the Lo-Boy hoist and founder of Crysteel Manufacturing, Eldon D. Jones, died Tuesday, Dec. 8, at the age of 90.
Jones worked as a farmer earlier in his career, raising crops, steers and hogs. He invented a farm wagon hoist that he patented as the “Lo-Boy” in 1960, according to The Journal.
He founded his dump body and hoist manufacturing company in Lake Crystal, Minnesota, in 1969. The company began to manufacture dump bodies based on Jones’ designs in 1980.
“We have over 160 current employees and countless former employees from the Lake Crystal facility that owe so much to Eldon for what he started,” said Crysteel General Manager Joe Paulsen. “The impact that Eldon and Helen have made in the industry and to the local Lake Crystal community has been monumental.”
Although Jones retired from Crysteel Manufacturing in 1990, he still actively worked with engineers to integrate his ideas into future Crysteel products. In 2005, Jones’ company was acquired by Truck Bodies & Equipment International (TBEI).
“In terms of this industry, Eldon Jones’ name is synonymous with quality, innovation and hard work,” TBEI President and CEO Bob Fines said. “He is that rare breed of individual who is able to take an idea and turn it into something special. He will be greatly missed, but his achievements will stand as an impressive and enduring legacy.”
