CUSTOMER SHOWCASE
Beresford, S.D., farmers Steve and Jim Andrews hate
to be considered “sticks in the mud,” especially
when it comes to their agricultural equipment. That’s
why they rely on their LEXION® 575R combine and Butler
Machinery Company’s service.
“They keep us going,” Steve said.
Since this past harvest season was
one of the wettest in recent record, the
Andrews quickly grew tired of having
their non-Cat® equipment stuck in
the mud. Perpetually
taxing their patience
and productivity, the
father-son duo rescued one piece of
equipment after another, but reached
their breaking point while harvesting a
section of corn between Vermillion and
Beresford – on which their tractor and
grain cart were soon left motionless.
“You couldn’t even pull an empty
wagon through the field,” Steve said. “It
was that muddy down there. I’ve never
seen anything like it.”
After a valiant attempt to pull them out with their
combine, all three pieces of equipment were bogged
down and required them to use their Challenger® MT855
to rescue the whole lot.
The incessant rain and poor ground conditions prompted
the Andrews to call Butler Ag Customer Account Technician
Mark Matzen on their drive home about purchasing a
LEXION 575R equipped with its Mobil-Trac™ System.
Confident in LEXION 575R’s capabilities, Matzen said,
unlike their wheeled machines, they wouldn’t have to
leave any crops in the field.
“I told them if they purchased a LEXION 575R, it would
get every kernel out there,” Matzen said, “and it did.”
It’s a decision the Andrews don’t regret.
“While I usually hate combining in these conditions,
I really enjoy working with the LEXION 575R,” Steve said.
“The wetter the field, the more fun it is to operate.”
Putting their new equipment to the test, the Andrews
soon returned to the same field, even though conditions
hadn’t changed.
“It was still so wet that we had to leave the wagon at
one end of the field and unload the combine there,” he
said, “but the LEXION 575R was up to the challenge. It was
absolutely unstoppable. Its Mobil-Trac system sets it apart
from the competition.”
In addition to its exceptional traction system, which
handles well on terraced ground, Steve said his LEXION
575R has notable benefits, including cutting his screenings
in half during the corn drying process.
“It is hard to explain,” he said. “The darn thing just works.
There’s no comparison.”
Also with other brands of combines, Steve always saw
shelled corn on back axles or on the ground. That’s not the
fact with his LEXION 575R.
“It does a better job of separating grain,” he said.
Equipped with a Drago Hi-Tech Corn Harvesting
System, Steve said his combine’s grain collection process
is heightened as “you never see it throw ears off the auger;
plus you notice less shelled corn behind the head.” He also
enjoys Drago’s hassle-free hydraulic deck plates.
“You simply don’t have to mess with them,” he said.
Since the header greatly reduces ear bounce, butt
shelling and overall shelling loss, more bushels go through
the combine to the bin and land on your
bottom-line, according to Matzen.
“Between the LEXION 575R and
Drago corn head, the Andrews probably
gained upwards of five bushels per
acre,” Matzen said. “Basically, it’s putting
more corn in their bin and more money
in their pocket.”
In addition to increased line of sight,
Steve noted the LEXION 575R’s folding
grain tank, comfortable seat and
temperature controls are exceptional.
“It’s the little things that you notice
most,” he said.
As a father-son operation, Steve
and Jim farm 3,740 acres of corn and
beans and operate two 2,412-head hog
finishing barns.
Both Steve and Jim have been operating equipment
since they were 6 years old. “That’s what we were cutout
to do,” Steve said.
In addition to their LEXION 575R, Steve and Jim have
purchased a variety of equipment from Butler including
their Challenger MT855 and 765C Track Tractors, Cat® 216
Skid Steer Loader, Cat irrigation engine, Cat 315 Excavator,
and Cat D5N LGP Track-Type Tractor.
“We’ve partnered with Butler Machinery since 1994,” he
said, “and we’re going to stick with them. Their service is
absolutely wonderful.”
Steve recalled several instances when Butler employees
came to the rescue, but one day-after-Thanksgiving event
was particularly memorable.
“I just called in to inform them of a problem,” he said,
“but in less than 90 minutes they were there to repair the
part. It impressed the heck out of me. They bend over
backward to serve you.”
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Customers
PKG Contracting
Bergstrom Family
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