New Shop in Wisconsin

T.E.C. · Jun 24, 2012

July first marks the opening of a new service and restoration facility in Medford, WI. This facility is opening under the management of a third generation tractor and farm equipment mechanic. While many makes and models will be serviced here, the focus will be taking care of the equipment and customers that the dealerships have forgotten. "Who wants to pay over one hundred dollars an hour to have the radiator recored on a John Deere G? Not me, That's why we are putting this shop in service."

Anonymous-0 · Jun 24, 2012

The local John Deere dealership changed hands a few years ago and they laid off several of the mechanics. One of them that was laid off and worked there for years started to do work on his own, on the older models that were still simple to work on without a lot of speciality tools and computers. The dealership will NOT even let him come into the building and buy parts!

to_many_irons · Jun 24, 2012

now thats sad .
there acting like spolied brats !

T.E.C. · Jun 24, 2012

Is the service manager still there from the Farmacy or did they get a new guy when it changed hands?

David G · Jun 24, 2012

Good Luck TEC

JDseller · Jun 24, 2012

Good luck!!! You will find out that the repair business in not all fun and games. I would not want to try to start doing it in today's market. The serious farmers are not going to have much you can work on. The part time guys are not going to be willing to pay for bigger jobs to make much profit on.

That JD "G" radiator you talked about recoring. Well lets say you charge the guy $350. You give him a break and make $75 on the job. That is 20%. Well you will need to do four each and every day to make enough cash flow to keep your doors open and pay yourself a living wage.

I wish you the best but it is not and easy job/career. Make sure you have your business seperate from your person accounts and taxes. Uncle Sam is going to want his cut each quarter and they look real hard at you if don't have things in order.

T.E.C. · Jun 25, 2012

(quoted from post at 03:58:39 06/25/12) Good luck!!! You will find out that the repair business in not all fun and games. I would not want to try to start doing it in today's market. The serious farmers are not going to have much you can work on. The part time guys are not going to be willing to pay for bigger jobs to make much profit on.

That JD "G" radiator you talked about recoring. Well lets say you charge the guy $350. You give him a break and make $75 on the job. That is 20%. Well you will need to do four each and every day to make enough cash flow to keep your doors open and pay yourself a living wage.

I wish you the best but it is not and easy job/career. Make sure you have your business seperate from your person accounts and taxes. Uncle Sam is going to want his cut each quarter and they look real hard at you if don't have things in order.

I guess I should add that we have been doing this for 67 years and that this will be the opening of another shop by another generation of the family. We also retain the software and OTC tools to service up to the 8X30 series John Deere tractors.

Anonymous-0 · Jun 25, 2012

Actually they moved the service manager(not very well liked) to the general manager and hired a local cowboy who had NO mechanical skills or experience to be the service manager. Several people have told the owners that the general manager is the one that needs to be gone, but they won't listen. Meanwhile, the Case/IH dealership in the same town is getting busier everyday. Many of the John Deere diehards are switching.

soder33 · Jun 25, 2012

My SIL is from Colby, WI. I get over there once in a while. Maybe I will stop and say Hi. What's the name and address? I got a JD B that needs the trans worked on.

NCWayne · Jun 25, 2012

Congradulations on the new shop. As an independent myself I do pretty much the same thing you do, but on construction equipment. One thing I've seen over the years is that there will always be work for those of us who do what the dealerships don't want to do, and treat our customers fairly for the work we do. People like us can make a good living, but unfortunately will never get rich simply because we do believe in treating the customer right and not gouging them on the price like many dealerships do.

Again, congradulations on the new shop, and good luck. After 60+ years I think ya'll know what your doing........

Anonymous-0 · Jun 25, 2012

I bought a pressbreak that was made in Medford by Wisconsin Corp, I believe in the 70s. All I could find out about them was they got sued and went belly-up. If you ever heard of them or know anything about that company I'd appreciate learning about them. Thanks.

T.E.C. · Jun 27, 2012

(quoted from post at 14:09:10 06/25/12) My SIL is from Colby, WI. I get over there once in a while. Maybe I will stop and say Hi. What's the name and address? I got a JD B that needs the trans worked on.

www.thompsonenginecompany.com most of the information is on the website. We will be about a half mile east of town on 64 on the south side of the road. Very happy to work on a B. What seems to be the issue with the transmission? Styled or unstyled?

New Shop in Wisconsin

T.E.C.

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Anonymous-0

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to_many_irons

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T.E.C.

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David G

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JDseller

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T.E.C.

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Anonymous-0

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soder33

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NCWayne

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Anonymous-0

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T.E.C.

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