Toro: Simplicity and Comfort

Simplicity and Comfort

For Steve and Ann Marie Irwin of Beason, Illinois, having a sturdy, reliable lawn mower is essential on the land around their home. This spring, the Irwins traded their lawn mower for a new Toro Titan MyRIDE and have not looked back since.

Around their property, they mow about an acre of land alongside grain bins and machine sheds, around many trees, and up against their cattle pasture fencing. Prior to having the Toro, their older mower got the job done, but was very rough and uncomfortable for the operator, which ultimately led them to their decision to trade.

Right off the bat, they noticed the added comfort that the Toro had to offer. “The MyRIDE Suspention System is excellent,” says Steve. The suspension system includes adjustable rear shock settings as well as a suspended operator platform to reduce impacts felt by the operator.

He and his daughter, Sarah, do the majority of the mowing, and they have both been pleasantly surprised by how much smoother the mower runs whether it is on rougher ground, up along the cow pasture, or on the side of a ditch. It has eliminated the rough, bumpy ride that they had once been accustomed to.

The simplicity of the machine has made a big difference as well. They enjoy being able to easily move the seat back and forth to adjust when switching between Steve and Ann Marie Irwin operators. Additionally, the foot pedal on the platform which raises and lowers the deck for a closer cut, is easy to use and an added convenience to save time while mowing.

Before making his purchase, Steve looked around for the best brand, model, and dealer to purchase from to best meet his needs. Ultimately, he chose to work with John Coers from his local dealership, Central Illinois Ag. “I knew Central Illinois Ag would always be close and reliable for parts and service, and that was the deciding factor,” says Steve Irwin. Whether it’s purchasing equipment for his family’s farm, getting service work done, or buying smaller, more conventional equipment like the Toro, Steve is confident in doing business with Central Illinois Ag and supporting a family-owned dealership.

A Family Tradition

Family. It’s a value held onto by generations within the agriculture industry. It’s dad in the combine, son in the auger cart and semi, and a grandchild running through the harvested stalks with dinner in the field.

98% of farms in the US are family farms *2019 data from the Economic Resource Service USDA Report.

Boyer Farms in New Holland, Illinois has been in operation for over 60 years. Earl “Bub” Boyer rented his first farm after beginning to farm with his father in the 1950s and 1960s.

Bub recalls pulling a two-row planter with two horses. He wasn’t sure how to manage the horses, but his dad advised him to say ‘giddy up’ and they would go, and at the end of the row to say ‘whoa’ and they would stop. So that’s what he did, and the horses pulled himself and the equipment through the fields. The horses were soon replaced by his Minneapolis tractor, followed by White, Oliver, and Allis Chalmers.

He involved his two sons, Mike and Rick, in the operation from a young age where they would ride along in the combine without air conditioning or a buddy seat. Soon, the boys would be fast asleep on the floor as their dad would continue to make passes through the fields.

The years passed and more responsibilities were given to the boys within the farming operation and raising livestock. With the mentorship of their dad, Mike and Rick learned to work together as their passion for farming continued to grow.

Mike’s career path led him straight to the farm, while Rick began his full-time career as a crop specialist in Mason County and later working for GROWMARK. After retiring from GROWMARK in 2019, he joined the family farming operation full time. The sons work well together and each have responsibilities to make the operation run smoothly.

Mike and Rick each have their own schedule and their own ground, but they work together to get the fields planted and harvested in the most efficient manner.

“I’ve always planted beans, and Mike has always planted corn,” Rick said. “We’ve always done it that way and it just works.”

In April 1997, Mike, Rick, and Bub were featured in ‘The Courier,’ a local newspaper for Logan County, Illinois residents. The Boyers were getting publicity in ‘The Soybean Digest’ for being one of the first families to work with their current planter to plant seeds with ‘precision planting,’ or planting at precise distance and the same depth. This was a different concept than using a drill that dumps the seeds rather than evenly space them. The Boyers found that planting in 10’’, 15’’, or 30’’ rows was the secret to higher yields.

As Bub allowed the boys to take over more of the farming operations, they first converted their dad’s equipment to Case IH. Being a very technology-driven farm, they both knew this was the first thing to change. The first piece of equipment to trade off the farm was the planter. Case IH had a bulk fill planter that would save time, which then led to an all red farming operation.

The Boyers are continually looking to improve their operation to increase yields and efficiency. In 2018, Mike came across a high-speed tillage unit that he researched and then approached John Coers, salesman at Central Illinois Ag, to get it on their farm. After a demo, the unit didn’t leave the farm. Now, this specific tillage unit can be seen across the nation as a top-selling machine.

Mike and Rick enjoy always looking for what’s next, what can help their farm, what can save them time, and what is the best for their land. They truly take pride in the past generations and take care of the farm for the next generation.

In the small town of New Holland, Illinois, the Boyer farm certainly makes a big impact. The family works hard and works together to continually improve. Taking care of the farm, and taking care of the family, all while doing what they enjoy…that’s what it’s all about. Mike, Rick, and Earl Boyer in The Courier in 1997.

Mike, Earl, and Rick with their farmhand Bryson Scheurer.

“John Coers takes care of us. He knows what we need and what we are looking for.” -Rick Boyer

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CENTRAL ILLINOIS AG, INC. CENTRAL ILLINOIS AG, INC. 200 SHARON STREET 200 SHARON STREET P.O. BOX 506 P.O. BOX 506 ATLANTA, IL 61723 ATLANTA, IL 61723 217-648-2307 217-648-2307 www.centralilag.com www.centralilag.com

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Innovation and quality is what Takeuchi is known for. Our family of great machines have been a part of the construction industry for over 50 years. When PERFORMANCE, RELIABILITY and PROFIT matter, you deserve a world leader on your team. Takeuchi offers a wide range of excavators, track loaders, wheel loaders and skid steer Loaders to help you get your job done.

Takeuchi Fleet Management is available on most models. See your dealer for details.

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Innovation and quality is what Takeuchi is known for. Our family of great machines have been a part of the construction industry for over 50 years. When PERFORMANCE, RELIABILITY and PROFIT matter, you deserve a world leader on your team. Takeuchi offers a wide range of excavators, track loaders, wheel loaders and skid steer Loaders to help you get your job done.

Takeuchi Fleet Management is available on most models. See your dealer for details.