To commemorate its 50th anniversary of the Kinze grain cart, the manufacturer did a national search to find the oldest units still running.
After he built the first prototype cart in 1971, Kinze founder Jon Kinzenbaw manufactured eight, 400-bushel grain carts.
Two of those eight have been found still operating on farms today. Michael Douglas from Henry County, Kentucky, and Jeremy Smart from Peebles, Ohio – both own carts from that historic first run.
Douglas, farms with his dad and operates a welding and repair shop. They acquired their Kinze cart from a dealer in Kentucky.
“Only had the one breakdown,” Douglas said in the company’s announcement. “Other than that, I check the oil in the gearbox, hook onto it and go, that’s about it. I’ve got a grain cart that’s 50 years old and it’s still in the field, so it’s pretty high quality. It’s a piece of equipment you can appreciate knowing 50 years later it’s still just as good as the day it came off the line.”
Smart’s grain cart was acquired from a farm auction about 10 years ago by his brother-in-law, who then sold it to Smart.
“Apparently my ship has finally come in and they give out awards for keeping old equipment running,” Smart quipped in the company’s announcement. “Obviously, it was manufactured well, and I am quite certain the original augers were in it until three years ago when I re-flighted them.”
Douglas and Smart were recently hosted at the Kinze Manufacturing headquarters in Williamsburg, IA. Their visit included a private meet and greet with Kinzenbaw, a tour of the Kinze Innovation Center and factory as well as a private tour of Kinzenbaw’s private tractor collection.
Here’s video from their visit:
“We’re pleased to congratulate both winners,” said Kinze president Susanne Veatch. “The contest was not only meant to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Kinze grain cart, but also a way to show appreciation for our customers and demonstrate the durability and longevity of Kinze products.”
By introducing its two-wheel cart, Kinze became an innovator in grain handling with its larger tires to avoid getting stuck and its high speed auger to unload the cart in three minutes. This is just one of the innovations Kinze has brought to farm equipment, which are chronicled in Kinzenbaw’s book: 50 Years of Disruptive Innovation.
