Getting Off the Ground

Our story starts in 1961 when John Kirschmann purchased a homemade, self-propelled sprayer from a local farmer, which set in motion four years of product development. Two years later, founder A.E. McQuinn incorporated the Ag-Chem Equipment Co.

 

That same year, six dedicated employees working in a small rented shop at the Willmar, MN airport began the Willmar story. In 1964, the Cargill and MacMillian families purchased the Willmar group from local investors. The next year, 150 SpraCoupe units were manufactured.

Reaching New Markets

The Ag-Gator 754 self-propelled field sprayer enters the marketplace in 1972 and in 1973 the TerraGator 1253 becomes the first self-propelled, three-wheel applicator with high-flotation tires. As production demand continued to increase, so did the manufacturing plant in Jackson, almost tripling in size in 1974.

terragator demand grows

We gave big operators reason to celebrate in 1976 with the introduction of the TerraGator 2505, the first product of its kind to meet the needs of large-scale operations. Ag-Chem expands its reach and enters the industrial market in 1977, providing equipment for waste disposal, mining and construction industries.

 

AgChem closed out a hugely successful decade by replacing the original TerraGator 1253 with the TerraGator 1603, making it the industry’s premier high-flotation applicator.

A Decade of Firsts

The Eighties started out strong with Ag-Chem appearing in “The Corporate Report 100” for the first time, which is the annual ranking of Minnesota’s largest publicly traded companies. We also had our first international sale in 1980.

 

Ag-Chem acquires Rickel Manufacturing Co., which produced Terra Tires and the BigA product line, in 1983. The following year, we introduced the TerraGator 1664, the first four-wheel flotation unit for agricultural use.

spracoupe introduced

The farm crisis of the mid-1980s rocked US agriculture. Ag-Chem instituted cost cutting programs that improved out financial picture and ensured stability for loyal employees and suppliers. We introduced SpraCoupe models that featured larger tanks, water-cooled engines and high-speed suspension systems in 1986.

More Equipment,
More Customers

The 400 horsepower TerraGator 1903, the biggest and most powerful performer in the agricultural line, is introduced in 1991. That same year, Ag-Chem™ purchased Lor*Al Inc. a manufacturer of a full line of truck applicators including the patented “blend-on-the-go” process called SOILECTION.

 

To mark the 30th anniversary of AgChem, we introduced the RoGator 664, the first high-clearance, post-emergence applicator in 1993. We continued the expansion of the Jackson, MN plant, adding just over 23,000 square feet in 1996.

more technology
more machines

Throughout the decade, technological advances such as SGIS software and FALCON Controller products are introduced. The Energized Spray Process (ESP) system on Spra-Coupe sprayers increased spray coverage, which makes for more effective control of applications and reduces waste. AGCO Corporation acquires Willmar Manufacturing from Cargill, Inc., in 1998.