Steiger Expert "Overwhelmed" By Response To Article

Steiger Expert "Overwhelmed" By Response To Article SPECIALTY/SERVICES Specialty/Services 25-3-44 After FARM SHOW wrote about John Beery's Steiger tractor service last year (Vol. 24, No. 5), he was inundated with calls from more than 30 states and several Canadian provinces. "No advertisement would have brought in that much response," says Beery, who got into the Steiger business in 1986 when he started taking in "orphan" Steigers that needed service or repair. The business has grown rapidly to the point where it now includes his son Michael, daughter Lisa, and his wife, Julie. Beery's operation is strictly "hands on" with no fat in the operation. Most of the repairs and grunt work are done by John or Michael. In fact, they're so busy they're looking for another competent mechanic to help out. The Berrys salvage, recondition, overhaul, repower, and also lease out Steiger tractors. They have done work for Steiger owners all over the country, but have never advertised their services. "A lot of smaller farmers can't justify the cost of a big new 4-WD tractor. I'm doing everything I can to help my customers keep their old Steigers instead of buying an expensive new machine." John and Michael are especially valued by customers for their ability to repair the earliest Steigers ever built. Case-IH, which took over Steiger, has no parts or service for the oldest tractors. Yet, repaired, they will last forever, the Berry's say. The Berrys supply parts and go out on location just about anywhere to repair tractors or clone parts. Some farmers send in parts to show the men exactly what they need. John notes that because the early Steigers are built so rugged, the owners often don't need parts. They just need advice, which he often gives on the phone. The Berrys work closely with another Steiger expert, Ben McIntyre, a Steiger parts specialist in Harwood, N.Dak. He sells and makes parts for old and new Steigers, often at prices much lower than Case-IH. Beery recently took on a new venture. He's impressed with the Finnish-built Valtra Valmet tractors and has bought two of them for rent or lease. He says they're much less expensive than comparable Deere or Case-IH tractors and of similar quality. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, John Beery, 620 N. 500 E. Rd., Bement, Ill. 61813 (ph 217 763-2311).

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