Buck & Knobby

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Buck & Knobby Celebrates 70 Years

Buck & Knobby President Ray Cordrey (L) is backed by a strong support team, including Rental Coordinator Debbie Dobrzanski, Administration Assistant Kari Williamson, Vice President of Accounting Laurie Nolfo and Company Controller Nick Liaros.

By Giles Lambertson

tice that dates from almost the inception of the company. A partial listing of new equipment manufacturers includes Hyundai, Manitou, Mustang, Yanmar and JCB products, Felling, Interstate and Eager Beaver trailers, and Bobcat, Grasshopper, Honda and Stihl lawn and garden equipment. “Knobby started off with one manufacturer and never stopped expanding the product offering to meet customer requirements,” said Nick Liaros, company controller. “When a customer inquired about a certain line, he’d look into what was necessary to become a dealer. When a customer had a need, Knobby’s response was, ‘What do we have to do to meet that need?’ We were financially sound enough to do that.” Buck & Knobby remains financially sound in 2018, doing about $25 million a year in business vol-

CEG CORRESPONDENT

Buck & Knobby Equipment Co. Inc. is not a pretentious company — its name being a combination of childhood nicknames, Buck and Knobby. It thrives in the 21st century on the strength of allegiance to its customers, a “mom and pop” dealer in a world of consolidated mega-dealers, and is a 70-year success story. Buck & Knobby Equipment Company of Ottawa Lake, Mich., was founded in 1948 by Melvin “Buck” Cole and Lloyd “Knobby” Nolfo. It was initially a lawn mower repair shop and gas station. Today, the firm offers multiple lines of construction, trailer, and lawn and garden equipment, and does a brisk business in equipment rental, a business prac4


Lloyd “Knobby� Nolfo started off with one manufacturer and never stopped expanding the product offering to meet customer requirements.


Buck & Knobby provides many products and services for its customers.

ume with 45 employees. Rental equipment is a significant component of the business, Liaros said. “Rental is the engine. It’s key. It’s always easier for a customer who needs a piece of equipment to rent a machine than to buy it. If they eventually want to buy it, they can apply 100 percent of the rent paid, plus a small fee for conversion.” The company currently has some 300 pieces in its rental inventory. Rent-to-own is commonplace today, but it wasn’t in the middle of the 20th century when Buck & Knobby first offered customers the option. The company was the first in the area to rent equipment, said Liaros, who has been with the company for 23 years. “Knobby would take a Buck & Knobby Equipment Company of Ottawa Lake, Mich., was founded in 1948 by Melvin “Buck” Cole (R) and Lloyd “Knobby” Nolfo. piece of equipment around to a customer, and say, ‘you know what: here, I trust you. Use the machine and I’ll come back in a few days and you can let me “Knobby started off with one manufacturer and know what you think. If you like it, you can rent it.” never stopped expanding the product offering to That approach, said Liaros, was visionary. “For most of his career, Knobby was well ahead of his meet customer requirements.” time. The way he thought about things like cusNick Liaros, controller tomer service, we take for granted now, but they weren’t generally done 40 to 50 years ago.” Melvin Cole and Lloyd Nolfo grew up in a rural named Buck and Knobby. The names stuck. After world war II — in area of Lambertville, Mich., which is just across the state line from which Cole suffered a head injury and Nolfo worked with the Civilian Toledo, Ohio. They worked together as farmhands and became nick- Conservation Corps — the men got together and decided in 1948 to 6



Light Equipment Manager Lester Bacon (L) and Light Equipment Counter Sales Representative Keith Taylor are ready to serve customers.

open a lawn mower store and gasoline station on Alexis Road in Toledo. “Rental is the engine. It’s key. It’s always easier for a Company President Ray Cordrey recalled customer who needs a piece of equipment to rent a how the pair struggled to make a go of it. machine than to buy it.” “I once heard Buck say that in 1948 they Nick Liaros, controller were so broke they couldn’t come up with $500 between them. I laughed but then quickly realized he was dead serious. In sweeping floors. “I was the, ‘Hey, kid! Come here and give me a hand’ those days, everything was done on a cash basis. A product would come guy.” Forty years later, he became president. in and they’d pay for it and then work to sell it so they could have some One of the early equipment lines represented by Buck & Knobby was money. He said they’d stay open all night sometimes just working to put a skid steer produced by a Minnesota company, Owatonna some money in the job box.” Manufacturing. It was sold under several brand names — first John They were a good partnership, Cordrey said. “Buck lost an eye in the Deere and then Mustang. Eventually, it was taken over by Gehl and then war, but he could take a Rolex watch apart and put it back together and Manitou but it retains the Mustang name and remains a significant line it would work. He had a photographic memory. He had a natural knack of equipment in the Buck & Knobby lineup. with anything mechanical. Knobby could talk to anyone and sell anyThe other early line of equipment for the company was John Deere. thing and that’s how they made it as a team.” Nolfo was more than a Deere industrial and forestry tractors were first sold by the company in salesman, though. He was a visionary, a pretty good mechanic himself 1965. Cordrey said the early pieces of Deere equipment were just agriand an accomplished welder. cultural tractors painted yellow, but Deere soon developed its industrialCordrey joined the firm in the company’s 20th year — beginning on forestry division into a standalone product line and Buck & Knobby repthe bottom rung of the ladder. Nolfo told Cordrey that if he would give resented them until 2015. At that time, Deere followed the industry trend him a day’s work, Nolfo would give him a day’s pay. Cordrey began by and consolidated its dealers in fewer, larger units, thus ending the Buck 8


(L-R): Jim Moriarty, Tim Kitzmiller and Jeff Wente serve as Buck & Knobby’s Heavy Construction Equipment Sales team.

1970s and early ’80s. In response, Nolfo looked at his facilities and the talent of his employees and decided he would start manufacturing trailers. “You couldn’t hardly buy a job around here,” Cordrey recalled. “So we put trailer Nick Liaros, controller parts in a jig, welded them up and put on wheels and lights. Over two or three years, & Knobby relationship. we must have built 700 to 800 trailers. While it was a significant change to the company’s business plan, Brian Pirolli, service manager, is another long-timer at the company Cordrey said it proved beneficial. Several manufacturers, including and remembers the trailer-building days. His brother, Chad, has been Hyundai and JCB, came on board as part of Buck & Knobby’s new and with the company slightly fewer years — 28, actually — and is a lead current product offerings. technician in the company’s service department. Pirolli’s daughter also Parts manager John Wlazlo said, “We fabricate hydraulic hose lines works at the company part time as a warranty administrator and his son here almost hourly.” The company many years ago began fabricating the hoses for cus- worked for Buck & Knobby during summer vacation. This clearly is a tomers — which always is a quicker option than ordering a replacement family-friendly company. It also is employee-friendly, such as in providing training. Pirolli overline from the manufacturer — and the hose-making has picked-up in sees 10 service technicians presently and in addition to on-line classes, volume over the last decade. “We’re known throughout the area for our expansive hose and fittings each tech attends off-site OEM training for at least 7 to 10 days annually. “And then there is hands-on training, where we place newer employees selection.” The company has frequently re-invented itself, especially during with experienced technicians. In my opinion, some of the best on-site challenging economic times. One of the worst times occurred in the late training is from mentoring.”

“For most of his career, Knobby was well ahead of his time. The way he thought about things like customer service, we take for granted now, but they weren’t generally.”

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Ready to meet the parts needs of local contractors (L-R) are Don Kuhl, Joe Hatfield, John Wlazlo and Jeff Pilbeam.

“Buck lost an eye in the war, but he could take a Rolex watch apart and put it back together and it would work.” Ray Cordrey, president The service manager has multiple mobile service trucks dispatched daily. “When I speak with our customers, they seem to appreciate what we do for them. We respond quickly, it’s something we are known for.” In 1972, Cole retired from the company because of bad health. He and Nolfo negotiated an amicable termination of the partnership, but both agreed to leave the company name unchanged. In 1973, Nolfo bought 17 acres across the state line at the present location, 6220 Sterns Road in Ottawa Lake, and gradually expanded it. The footprint of the company property now totals about 100 acres. In 2015, at age 90, Lloyd “Knobby” Nolfo passed away. He was active in the day-to-day operations of the company as owner and CEO until a few days before his hospitalization. He also still had plenty of ideas. Daughter Linda Eckhart said her hospitalized father wanted to go

Stories easily pile up around the memory of Knobby Nolfo. Some of them are tied to the business, others to the family, all of them interesting. 10


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(L-R): It’s a family affair with Buck & Knobby Construction Equipment Service Manager Brian Pirolli, supported by daughter, Alysha Pirolli, who manages warranty administration, and brother, Chad Crots, who serves as the rental equipment service manager.

home because, he told her, “I have a meeting to attend.” Knobby’s cardiologist nixed the idea and asked Eckhart to “make him behave.” Said Eckhart: “The Knobbster was not the best patient.” Stories easily pile up around the memory of Knobby Nolfo. Some of them are tied to the business, others to the family, all of them interesting. After 32 years in the company’s accounting department, daughter Laurie Nolfo’s current role is vice president of accounting. Her early memory of company involvement was joining sister Linda at the office when they were 10 years old or so to stamp company literature. “Probably even before then, we were around equipment. He would put us on a fender of a backhoe. I remember sitting there. Holding on to a handle with both hands.” Nolfo put customers first — as every

Knobby was ahead of his time: He considered things like customer service — a given in today’s business world — that weren’t generally done 40 to 50 years ago. 12


RENTAL GUIDE BACKHOES Model Day Yanmar CBL 40 175 Deere 310SE SG SJ SK 240 JCB 3CX 14' Super 270 Model DEERE 444H K 544G K 644K HYUNDAI 730 TM 740 TM/XLT 757 XLT 955 XHT WACKER NEUSON WL32 WL37 Hi Flow WL38 WL52 / V10 Yanmar WL60 / V12 Yanmar WL60T 280 GEHL AL540 550 Hi Flow 750 T 850 JCB 416 HT/417HT 437 ZX/HT

Week 700 960 1080

Month 1575 2160 2430

Week

Month

336 415 605

1344 1660 2420

3024 3645 5454

317 336 432 442

1268 1344 1728 1768

2862 3024 3888 3996

212 317 231 250 269 296 212

848 1268 924 1000 1076 1184 848

1917 2862 2079 2268 2430 2675 1890

WHEEL LOADERS Day

221 298 327 288

884 1192 1308 1152

1998 2700 2970 2610

336 461

1344 1844

3024 4185

EXCAVATORS Day

Week

Month

472

1728

3915

Model DEERE 130G HYUNDAI R140 LC-9A 140W 9A Wheel R145 LC-9A R140/R145 LC w/Thumb R145 LCR-9A Rubber ET 145 Rubber R160 LC 9A HX180 LC 180W-9A Wheel 210 LC Long front/HR220LF R220 LC-9A w/Thumb R235 LC-9A 290 LC3 HX300 LC Mower

444 478 472 501 520 520 492 511 520 741 540 568 568 616 288

1616 1752 1728 1844 1920 1920 1808 1884 1920 2804 2000 2112 2112 2304 1152

3645 3915 3888 4158 4320 4320 4064 4239 4320 6300 4496 4752 4752 5184 2592

MINI-EXCAVATORS Model Day B08-03 194 VIO 17 223 VIO 25NIO27 252 VIO 35/ Wacker 38Z3 271 VIO 40 45-5 50-2 280 VIO 55 290 Hyundai 55 Wheel 309 VIO 75 309 VIO 80/800Z/R80 338 VIO 100 376 Wacker EW100 Wheel 376 Wacker 8003 RT 405 Way Blade/Bucket Tilt Thumb 60

Week 616 732 848 924 960 1000 1076 1076 1192 1344 1344 1460 240

Month 1350 1620 1890 2079 2160 2268 2430 2430 2700 3024 3024 3240 540

MOTOR GRADERS Day

Week

Month

1920

4320

Model NORAM FG65 CE

480

Model RD12 39" Asphalt RD16 39" Asphalt RD 27 47" Asphalt CC 1300 51" Asphalt T5O Smooth T60 P 66" Pad HR70C-9 66" Smooth 250 PD 84" Pad CA 1500D HR110C-9 84" pad HR120C-9 84" Pad Model 450J 550K 650K 650K WT KOMATSU 700K 700K Wide Track Model 300B 456B

ROLLERS Day 175 192 288 356 298 384 320 432 384 461 508

Week 700 768 1152 1424 1192 1536 1280 1728 1536 1844 2032

Month 1575 1800 2610 3213 2700 3456 3840 3888 3456 4104 5488

DOZERS Day 260 288 356 461

Week 1040 1152 1424 1844

Month 2349 2610 3213 4185

471 509

1884 2036

4239 4590

FORK LIFTS - STRAIGHT MAST Day Week 154 616

Month 1350

FORK LIFTS - TELESCOPIC Day Week

Month

Model MUSTANG 634 642 RS642 6034 JCB 506 509-42 510-56

250

1000

2250

250 298 528

1000 1192 2112

2250 2700 4752

DUMPERS Day

Week

Month

221 298 336

884 1192 1344

1998 2700 3024

154 231 336

616 924 1344

1350 2070 3024

BROOMS Model Day DT80J MB96 336 Plus $100 Inch Broom Wear

Week 1344

Month 3024

Week

Month

760 768 808 848 924 960 848 1000

1700 1800 1845 1917 2079 2160 1917 2268

1152 1192 1344 1632 1536 1632 1632 1728 1192 1536

2665 2700 3024 3645 3456 3645 3645 3915 2700 3456

Model WHEEL 3001 6001 DW60 TRACK C12R C30R C50R

SKID/TRACK LOADERS Model Day SKID 1650R Mustang 190 1900RT Mustang 192 2200R Mustang 202 2700 Mustang 212 3300V Mustang 231 4000V Mustang 240 JCB 260 212 JCB 3TS-8/W 250 TRACK 1650RT Mustang 288 JCB 190T/1750RT Mustang 298 JCB 225T 336 JCB 260T 408 2100RT Mustang 384 2500RT Mustang 408 STR 35 Wacker 408 STR 45 Wacker 432 T175 Yanmar 298 T210 Yanmar 384

Rental Rates Subject to Change without Notice

Model MANITOU 625 735 Model

MATERIAL HANDLERS Day Week 250 298

1000 1192

Month 2250 2700

SKID/TRACK LOADER ATTACHMENTS With Week Month Attach Machine

Only Auger; 6-9-12-18-24-30-36 Extra Bits Bit Only Auger Extension Adaptor/Forks Bank Mower BC60 Angle Broom Pickup Broom Chipper Concrete Breaker Grapple /Skeleton / Blade Stumper 240/280 Post Driver/Trencher P Rake/Rock Picker/Shark

72 18 30 18 42 288 96 150 288 150 60 150 150 150

288 72 120 72 168 1152 384 600 1152 600 240 600 600 600

720 180 300 180 420 2880 960 1500 2880 1500 600 1500 1500 1500

96 24 42 24 54 378 126 198 78 198 198 198

COMPACT TRACK LOADERS Model Day Week Boxer 600 164 656 Boxer 525D/700 173 692 Boxer 950HD 192 768 TORO Dingo TX1000 192 768 Auger 72 288 Extra Bit 18 72 Forks 42 168 Leveler/Grapple Bucket 36 144 Tooth Bar 24 96 Power Rake 96 284

Month 1650 1750 2000 2000 720 240 420 480 240 480

ATTACHMENTS Model Day G25 Generator/Air compressor 150 Breaker CAL 550B 163 Breaker CAL 750 183 Breaker CAL 850 202 Breaker CAL 1000 221 Breaker CAL 1200 240 Breaker CAL 2200 336 Breaker CAL 3200 456 Bucket Small/Road plate 42 Bucket Large/Concrete bucket 60 Compactor HC 10/12 96 Compactor HC15 20 150 Compactor HC30 221 Compactor HC40 240 Compaction Wheel - Pad 150 Coupler Mount - Auger 42 Forklift Basket 60 Forks - Backhoe 42 Forks - Loader/Jibb 60 Frost Ripper Small + Point 42 Frost Ripper Large + Point 60 Light Tower 96 Magnum 3' Mulcher 452 Flail Mower -130/BC60 288 Power Rake - Magnet 150 Rollover Box /Till/ Helac 60 Trench Box 180 Sheeps Foot Roller-Drag 90 Cut-Off Saw 54 Slit Seeder/10' Brush Cutter 150 TR3 90 Mantis Grapple/Clam Bucket 150 Stone Box - 3 YD / Hopper 150 Stone Box - 5 YD 200 Stone Box - 7 YD 225

Month 1500 1500 2010 2220 2220 2400 4560 4560 420 600 960 1500 2220 2400 1500 420 600 420 600 420 600 960 4530 2880 1500 600 1200 900 540 1500 900 1500 750 900 1000

Week 600 650 732 808 884 960 1344 1824 168 240 384 600 884 960 600 168 240 168 240 168 240 384 1808 1152 600 240 720 360 216 600 360 600 350 450 650


(L-R): Service Technicians Brennan Channer, John Couture, Bob Sayler and Alex Scheich are dedicated to keeping their customers’ equipment in good shape and working on the job.

successful businessperson does, of course — and one way he consistently did so illustrates the point. “He would say, if a customer is down and not working, we are down,” recalled Liaros. “He would try to get a customer up and going at virtually any cost. If we didn’t have a part a customer needed to get to work, we would take the part off one of our machines and put it on the customer’s machine and then order the part and wait for it to come in to put it back on our machine.” Several of Nolfo’s colleagues confirmed parts-swapping was a well-known Nolfo practice. Another practice was doing whatever was necessary to keep his employees engaged in tough times. Building trailers is one example. Liaros remembered other examples. “We didn’t want to lose good employees during slow times, so Knobby would find work for them. Improving the facilities. Working on the grounds. He would create work to ensure employees would get a paycheck. Knobby did that a lot when he didn’t have to.” The company service manager, Pirolli, said the desire to help people was not limited to employees. “He was very unique. He helped out so many people through the years. Helped them get started in business. Loaned people money. On and on.” Eckhart said after the funeral she was overwhelmed by how many

Knobby pictured in Haulette Trailer literature in 1961. 14


The company initially was a lawn mower repair shop and gas station.


(L-R): On hand in the Lawn & Grounds Care Division are Jerred Peabody, Big Dave Cwiklewski, Lawn & Grounds Care Manager Brad Schwanbeck and Mike Opfermann.

was with us, it was larger than life. We never felt like our father didn’t spend enough time with us.” The other daughters are Laurie, a company vice president, and the youngest, Amy. All three daughters sit on the board of directors. When the girls visited the dealership as children, Nolfo would find little tasks for them to do so they could earn some “walking-around money.” Sometimes family members joined Nolfo on company trips, some of which were sales awards. One of the most memo“When I speak with our customers, they seem to rable trips was to Japan, where Nolfo is appreciate what we do for them. We respond quickly, reported to have amiably greeted the it’s something we are known for.” Japanese Prime Minister this way: “Nice to Brian Pirolli, service manager meet you. I’m Knobby.” Amy Nolfo, the youngest of Knobby’s three daughters said “Dad had many roles throughout his 90 years... successful entrepreneur, inventor, welder, deal burned down and he gave the family money.” Knobby was not a notably early riser, according to Wlazlo, but he maker, philanthropist, counselor and more. He lived a fascinating and often would stay at the office until 8 or 9 o’clock at night. That doesn’t adventurous life. He lived the American dream. The son of a Sicilian sound like he had much of a home life, but Eckhart, the oldest of three immigrant, he grew up poor, very poor. The story of lard sandwiches with a sprinkle of sugar from the neighbors being a special treat during daughters, said the children didn’t feel neglected. “He’d come home at 10 o’clock and wake us up and kiss us good- the depression era. Those early days set a strong foundation for the gennight. Many times he told people that our mother raised us. But when he erous man he became.” people commented on her father’s generosity. “I lost track of all I heard and saw. I’d never seen so many men cry. A younger man told me how Dad had helped him financially when he needed something and said there was never a bill for it. Nothing. Another man talked about his two children that Dad helped get started in college. Dad would give people equipment they needed and never charge them. Somebody’s house

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Then and now: Buck & Knobby has succeeded over seven decades in business and will continue to succeed on the strength of allegiance to its customers. Seen here is the company’s facility in the 1970s and JCB equipment in the inset photo. The recent development of the new JCB business on Airport Highway in Holland, Ohio was a key part of Knobby’s long-term vision.


At the Buck & Knobby JCB branch, Product Support Specialist Dave Goll (L) and Branch Service Manager Rob Crowell review options being installed on the JCB 505-20 telehandler, which is destined for the village of Oak Harbor, Ohio.

a smart businessman and a wonderful father. He probably would have had a houseful of children if he could have. Lloyd and I got along well together.” She said her “humanitarian” husband was “rather poor growing up and he wanted to make sure people didn’t feel bad just because they needed money. He was always there for people. He grew up poor and wanted to share his success with the world.” A lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, Nolfo once tried to impress his then-girlfriend “Dad had many roles throughout his 90 years... Alice. She said she wasn’t impressed. “We successful entrepreneur, inventor, welder, deal maker, were riding along and I didn’t know what he philanthropist, counselor and more.” was going to do and the next thing I knew Amy Nolfo he was standing on his head. I tried to decide whether to jump off or not.” Through the years, she did ride along with the daretitude. Dad was a natural salesman whose goal was never just making a devil on his Harley-Davidson bikes and his Honda trike, but not frebuck, his goal was to understand and then fulfill the customers’ needs, quently. Nolfo acquired a private pilot’s license and at different times had part the financial success of the company followed.” Only Alice Nolfo, the company founder’s wife of 64 years, called ownership of a small aircraft, but he never mastered the landing part, Nolfo by his given first name, Lloyd. She looks back and paints the same according to Alice Nolfo. “He was always a lousy lander. Oh, my gosh! picture of her long-time partner that others have expressed. “He was an I cannot tell you how many bumps we felt before we actually landed.” Laurie Nolfo called her father “a force of nature. The first word that entrepreneur. I had to slow him down a few times,” she said. “But he was Amy went on to say, “Tales of his adventures and business dealings remain legendary in some circles. He listened, he cared and he desired to take care of every customer... big or small. No special meal was ever had and no family trip or outing was ever complete without Dad reminding the family that we had B&K customers to thank for the bread on our table. He was a winning and rare combination of tenacity and mental for-

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comes to mind when asked to describe him is unstoppable. If he had an idea and really believed in it, he would keep at it and get it done.� She added that, in keeping with the character of a visionary, her father wasn’t “big on formalities,� but noted that he was a great student and earned straight A’s in school, but “on his report card, it always said, “whispers too much.� Laurie Nolfo said the company may have an edge over some larger equipment dealers: experience and knowledge. “Many of our current

new Buck & Knobby JCB facility located at 9127 Airport Highway Holland, Ohio was held in late 2016. The new state of the art facility was awarded VP Buildings National “2018 Hall of Fame Award� in recognition of the design and construction of an outstanding building. In addition, Buck & Knobby JCB recently received JCB’s 2017 “Dealer of Excellence� award. The JCB annual award is presented to the top ten JCB dealerships in North America for outstanding performance in equipment sales, parts and service support, as well as marketing initiatives in support of business objectives. Knobby’s visionary “Knobby would say, ‘I’ve got to tell you something: acuity was truly legendary. I believe in the Lord, but I believe in luck, too. And the Does Buck & Knobby have another 70 harder I work, the luckier I get.’� years in it? The company president said it Ray Cordrey, president will endure because of its innovative pursuit of business. It is well capitalized and has a broad cross-section of equipment to help it employees started their careers here decades ago have a lot of equipment overcome downturns in one market or another. The addition of Hyundai expertise. In many dealerships, you aren’t going to find that.� and the new JCB operation has resulted in record sales for the company. The recent development of the new JCB business on Airport And, perhaps, the company is lucky. Highway in Holland, Ohio was a key part of Knobby’s long-term vision. “Knobby would say,� recalled Cordrey, “‘I’ve got to tell you someHe appreciated that JCB was a family owned business and believed their thing: I believe in the Lord, but I believe in luck, too. And the harder I expansive product offering of over 300 machines serving multiple induswork, the luckier I get.� Sounds like a winning business philosophy. tries could sustain his visionary JCB business. Regrettably, Knobby (This story also can be found on Construction Equipment Guide’s passed away before his vision came to fruition. The grand opening of the website at www.constructionequipmentguide.com.) CEG

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Today, Buck & Knobby offers multiple lines of construction, trailer, and lawn and garden equipment, and does a brisk business in equipment rental, a business practice that dates from almost the inception of the company.

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Fifth Third Bank proudly congratulates Buck & Knobby Equipment Com o pany on 70 years off success. Forr some, going above and beyond doessn’t require a special reason. It’s a way of life. That’s why we’re proud to partner with Buc u k & Knobby Equipment Company.

Fifftth Third Bank. Member FDIC.

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Buck & Knobby on 70 years of Success�

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