Practical Products’ Apparatus for Navigating Tarps, or A.N.T., is a patented, heavy-duty padded strap that makes working with tarps faster, easier and safer. It is assembled in the U.S. and made of cordura nylon, marine canvas, EVA foam, heavy-weight polypropylene and carbon steel.

At 10-feet long, the A.N.T. is compatible with virtually all tarps. Users clip the attached A.N.T. carabiners into the eyelets of a tarp, lean into the pad, and pull a loaded tarp while standing upright and facing forward.

The A.N.T. was developed by Aaron Farrer, whose father, Ben, owned Lawns Etc. in Lafayette, Ind. The younger Farrer worked on his father’s operation and developed the tool through trial and error, and by 2016 the Ferrers patented the device. Aaron Farrer said he hand assembles each A.N.T. in his home. 

“The A.N.T. is a total game changer,” said Shannon Harris, a former employee of Lawns Etc. “I work in tree care now, and because of The A.N.T., I’m able to work faster and I’m not breaking my back anymore.”