Demand Growing For Rebuilt Ag Crawlers

Demand Growing For Rebuilt Ag Crawlers MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT Earth Movers Michael Zimmerman likes steel belted ag crawlers from Caterpillar and so do his customers Zimmerman says the crawlers have better traction compact soil less and use less fuel for the same job than wheeled tractors Over the past 6 years he and his sons have rebuilt more than 180 ag crawlers “We replace tracks rollers sprockets and rebuild engines if needed ” says Zimmerman “We also install rear pto units if customers want ” He says they use mostly new parts on tracks but may turn to the company salvage yard for other components “We have 7 acres of used crawlers for sale and for parts ” says Zimmerman “We ship crawlers and parts all over ” The Zimmermans get their ag crawlers from a buyer in Washington With the help of Ivan Zimmerman a Pennsylvania friend with the same last name they sell crawlers throughout the Midwest and the East Most of the units end up with Mennonite farmers who still use steel-wheel tractors Zimmerman says slippage is even worse with them than with rubber wheeled tractors in most conditions He recalls living in Pennsylvania in the 1960’s when many Mennonites used little ag crawlers with 3-bottom plows Some used larger crawlers and 4 or 5 bottoms As they wore out it was cheaper to buy a wheeled tractor than repair the crawlers Much has changed since then notes Zimmerman “Those little ag crawlers didn’t ride as well or have cabs with air conditioning like the ones we have available today ” he says “These western ag crawlers have lots of power and ride smoother in a field than a wheeled tractor does You can plow deep rip or disk with very little slippage and use less fuel ” Prices on rebuilt ag crawlers vary from $7 500 to $25 000 depending on size and features Shipping alone can cost up to $2 500 each from Washington to the eastern states Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Zimmerman Tractor 13874 Hwy 5 Versailles Mo 65084 ph 573 378-7210 or Ivan Zimmerman 680 S Muddy Creek Rd Denver Penn 17517 ph 717 335-3205

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