Open For Business

During the past week we at the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association (NTPDA) have been reaching out to our members and visiting about their business and their families. We've talked to dozens of people and we're hearing that, compared to last year, business has been really good. "Farmers have been in the mood to fix and repair what they have and because planting season is coming up they are busy and they are buying", was one comment we heard often.

Meanwhile the biggest concern shared with us was that if business starts to falter what that might do to their employees. "I've never laid off a person since we started this business," said one of our members. "My goal is to stick with it. We had a tough time several years ago and we kept everybody working. I hope to do that now and into the future."

Commodity prices are also playing a part in how farmers are dealing with fixing and repairing their equipment. One of our members told us, "You know, if the commodities were higher maybe we wouldn't be so busy. Farmers have had a rough couple of years so buying new doesn't seem to be on the mind of many."

One of the very cool things about this association is that we all know each other, do business with each other and, generally, like each other. That always comes out in these conversations when we talk about family. It's important to them and it's also important to us so we talk about kids, grandkids, husbands wives and parents.

One final thought. Human connection is important. We've noticed that phone calls that may have been over in three or four minutes now linger as people want to stay connected and talk. It's been a pleasure to spend fifteen or twenty minutes talking business, family and friends. It's what we...do.

If we have not yet connected with you be assured you're on our list and remember on March 24 we'll celebrate National Agriculture Day.

Thanks for reading and stay safe and well. 

Merry Christmas Images

We took some time to scan as many of our member Facebook Pages to see how they were wishing their customers a Merry Christmas and found a bunch. Have a look and see if you can identify who is who. It was a fun adventure seeing how you are using Facebook to lift up the holiday season. If you click on the image it will get larger for you.

All of us at NTPDA wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year. Thank you all for what you do!

 

It's More Than a Tractor...

Every so often we run into a heartwarming story about a tractor. That's what happened this morning as we were searching for some news about tractor parts. It was a great restoration story out of Lawrence Township, Ohio. If you want to read...here you go.

Now to some folks who have lived all their lives in the city that might not click. However, for those of us who have spent time on the farm...we get it. Who among us doesn't remember their first tractor? Mine was a Farmall Model H. Every time I see one my mind races back some 40 years and I can smell the gas, oil and grease. It's like that for so many of us.

So, why write a piece that talks about memories and old tractors? Because we are the people who have helped countless restorations come to life. Sure, you can look out at your salvage area and you see rusted equipment lying there waiting for the weeds. But, look again. If you concentrate you can see a field of opportunity. Of course you'll sell some parts to people you've never met. You'll sell parts to farmers who come to you to get through another season. But, you'll also sell parts to folks who are bringing back a memory.

We'd like to hear your stories. We know that you've got 'em. Hook us up with a recent (or maybe not so recent) restoration project that your company helped with. We'd like to take some time and tell the story. Send me 50 words on your story and some contact names. We'll get it done.

You see, it's more than just parts...

Thanks for being a member of the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association...it matters.

A Car? A Tractor? Both?

We're always on the lookout for interesting stores about tractors, tractor parts and the people who use them. This story caught our eye this month and it's out of Kansas and has to do with this 1938 Minneapolis Moline UDLX also known as a "Comfortractor". It is one of only 150 built but it never really caught on. Why? More than likely the price. Remember this was in the depths of the Great Depression and the UDLX listed for $2,155 new.

The vehicle was, no doubt, a marketing effort but there are reports that they were used for mail delivery and snow removal. Pretty classy way to ride and a road gear that could get you to 40MPH! 

We were wondering if any of our members in Kansas might know of the restorer Curtis Rink and his very rare "Confortractor". The article, which you can read here, says the value of this very cool design is now about $200,000.

Not too shabby...

Thanks for reading and if you've got a neat story like this make sure you share it with us! (Photo: Mike Berry - The Wichita Eagle)

 

"Where Can I Get Parts?"

Recently Rachel Gingell wrote a blog piece for Farms.com and she said this truly was a key question before a person buys a used tractor. "Before you buy a used older model/antique tractor, ask yourself this single most important question: where can I get parts?" You can read that article here.

She went on to say there are many different kinds of parts and many different outlets and she did mention salvage yards, "If something big like an axle breaks, a salvage yard is often the best place to get a replacement for an older-model tractor."

We wish she would have done a search for "Used Tractor Parts" or "Used Ag Parts" because the NTPDA website would have popped up and she (and any buyer of a used or older model tractor) would have learned more about our members and our association and the availability of parts.

Our National Tractor Parts Dealer Association (NTPDA) not only can find "something big" but we can also get aftermarket parts, rebuilt parts...you know...tractor parts.

In addition because of the wide range of member dealers and associate members we can put machinery owners in touch with the part they are looking for not only online but also in person. The members of NTPDA have talented and knowledgeable counter and phone staff that have been in the business for decades and can often answer the question before the caller gets the full question asked.

So, yes, Rachel is right, a buyer better have a place where he or she can be assured that the part is available. And that's why we exist. That buyer should come into contact with NTPDA. We've got you covered!

Rock Valley Tractor Parts

National Tractor Parts Dealer Association member spotlight this week showcases long time member Rock Valley Tractor Parts. 

Rock Valley Tractor Parts has been in business since 1938 and has a large, centrally located facility in Rock Valley, IA.  They sell Used, Rebuilt and New tractor parts to farmers, ranchers, restorers, dealers, and other salvage yards.  They are proud of the reputation they have built in the 70+ years of doing business by working with many reputable vendors to give their customers the best quality parts at the lowest possible price.

Their entire inventory of over 150,000 part numbers is on the computer and they are ready to ship.  That means there are over 5,000,000 parts cataloged and inspected so when customers call they can ship the part the same day it is ordered.  They don’t have to go pull it off the tractor and hope it is good, and that saves customers money and downtime.  For orders over $1,000 they will include a free RVTP T-shirt as well.

To learn more about Rock Valley Tractor Parts visit their website at http://www.rvtractorparts.com/.  

Meet the Team at Reliable Aftermarket Parts

Each week we feature one of our members in the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association.  This week we spotlight Reliable Aftermarket Parts.  Founded in 2009 by Tom “Junior” Salisbury, Reliable Aftermarket Parts, Inc. provides customers with construction and agricultural parts. The company’s mission is to provide customers with quality aftermarket parts that meet and exceed OEM specifications. Reliable Aftermarket Parts strives to offer customers competitive prices with the best availability and shipping worldwide on all of the top named brands as well as hard-to-find construction and agricultural equipment.

Even though the company is very young they have overall 40 years combined experience and continue improving through efficiency. In the beginning, the company started in Tom’s home with only three employees. Shortly after that the business outgrew Tom’s basement and he then purchased the fire hall in Williamston, MI. Due to the high demand and growth of the business, in 2011 Tom moved the company to a larger office building with a warehouse. Shortly, less than a year, they added on to double the size by adding an additional warehouse. While also growing into multiple departments such as sales, accounting, e-commerce, and warehouse with multiple people in each department.

The company’s expedited growth is a direct result of modern technology. Customers can place orders online and is integrated into a system that keeps track of everything from accounting, inventory of parts and tracking information. When Tom started the business out of his house he would take orders and go to the post office to send out the packages personally. Now there are shipping suppliers such as Fed Ex, USPS, and UPS that go directly to the warehouse to pick up and drop off packages.

Reliable Aftermarket Parts is growing and improving the business daily.  They provide personalized customer service and strive to excel with their turn around speed so customers have less down time.

Their motto is, “Whether your construction or agricultural equipment is large or small we have parts to fit them all” 

Kern County Tractor Parts

 

Honest. Personal. Service.

If you are looking for a supplier for used agricultural parts, your search is over.  Kern County Tractor Parts was established in 1995 by Abilene Machine, Inc., to establish a West Coast location. Abilene Machine is headquartered in Kansas, and in addition to Kern County Tractor Parts, they also have an operation in Bishopville, South Carolina (Baker Abilene Machine) and are nearing completion of a new office and warehouse facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Kern County Tractor Parts is located in Central California at 29527 Pond Rd in McFarland. Their location is in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, approximately 40 miles north of Bakersfield. The primary crops grown there are permanent, such as almonds, pistachios and citrus trees − along with table and wine grapes. This allows them to purchase a lot of low profile and utility tractors. They also have many row crop and large 4-wheel drive tractors.

Their primary business started out as agricultural salvage, but that focus has changed in the past 10 years. Kern County Tractor Parts carries a full line of aftermarket and remanufactured parts for tractors, combines, cotton pickers and swathers. They also offer planter, drill and tillage parts, engine overhaul kits and engine performance modules. They distribute catalogs to both retail and dealer clientele.

Over the past five years, they have concentrated on developing high-wear parts for rubber track tractors. They have a full line of rear drive wheels, mid rollers and front idler wheels. All are redone in poly because the poly products last up to three times longer than rubber. Their in-stock inventory includes parts for John Deere® 8000 & 9000 series, Cat Challenger® & Case®/IH® Quad Tracs. In addition, they also sell new and recycled rubber tracks.

Although they don’t currently have an online store for ordering, they do have a knowledgeable sales staff to answer your phone call.  The “Inventory” link on their website at www.KernCountyTractor.com allows customers to search their recycled inventory of engines, crankshafts, cylinder heads, transmissions and housings, front wheel assist parts, blocks, 3-point parts, etc. They add to and expand their inventory list daily and are also in the process of adding an industrial parts inventory for front loaders, graders and backhoes.

Kern County Tractor Parts takes pride in their personal customer service and are taking steps to ensure that you, their valued customer, can count on them for many years to come.  

Maxiforce for Diesel

The very soul of the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association (NTPDA) is our membership. We thought you might like to meet our friends from Maxiforce:

Quality aftermarket parts from a company with superior technical support at competitive prices; that’s what Maxiforce is all about. Founded in 1994 Maxiforce is brand devoted to manufacturing and distributing diesel engine parts for John Deere®, Cummins® B&C, Perkins®, Yanmar® and Caterpillar® (3013-3024/3054/3056) engines.

While Maxiforce has two physical locations (Doral, Florida and Santa Fe Springs, California) customers can order their aftermarket parts directly from the online purchase portal.  However, if you need some personal assistance you can always give them a phone call and be helped by a real human.  No automated voice prompts at Maxiforce. Here is that number: 800-414-2095

Over the past several years the company has added several new, customer demanded, items including a complete line of aftermarket Yanmar parts, a new line of parts for the Tier 3 John Deere PowerTech engines and a new line of parts for Caterpillar 3013 and 3024 model engines.

And,  when you call or order online, make sure to ask about the same day free shipping.

But, why not see for yourself!  Here's a great "explainer video" from Maxiforce:

 

Thank you Maxiforce for being a member of NTPDA!

Kaddatz Auction and Equipment

The National Tractor Parts Dealer Association (NTPDA) is proud to share information about our members and what they do to bring value to their customers.  

For over 60 years Kaddatz Auctioneering and Equipment Sales has been serving Texas and the nation with an eye for helping their customers get what they need.  "We do our very best to treat our customers like they are family members", says Alvin Kattatz second generation owner. "We farm and ranch too so we know what it's like to get the right parts at the best price and be truly appreciated."

What, other than great customer service, can you find at Kaddatz? They sell farm equipment, parts and do auctions and appraisals. The family runs a salvage yard for tractors, combines, hay equipment, discs, chisels, field cultivators, corn heads, headers, shredders...just about all types of farm equipment.

And the Kaddatz Family has changed with the times. Customers can buy products on-line (You can click right here to see!) and they have recently expanded their inventory with cattle panels and pens.

And, along with the exceptional customer service, you'll get free shipping of your order; free bale wrap and twine with a purchase of hay equipment. Heck, they'll even give you a free pocket knife when you make a purchase of $2,500 or more.

"We realize you've got choices in where you buy parts and farm equipment; our goal is to make sure you are 100% satisfied with your order and with us."