luann

May Wes is the first to offer an after-market poly corn snout replacement for the Case IH 3400, 3200, 2600 Rigid,  2400 and 2200 Series corn heads and the New Holland 99C, 98C, 98D, 96C and 996 Series heads.  The initial offering includes complete center row snout units for 30” row spacing.  Presently the center poly snouts are available for delivery and retail for $762 per snout assembly.  The end poly snouts are scheduled to be available soon. These new center row poly snouts are based on the popular GVL Poly Series II “Jack Knife” design that folds up, in and down.  Learn more.

May Wes Manufacturing was founded in 1972 by Wesley Bruns and wife Mavis on their farm site near Gibbon Minnesota.  Wesley was a farmer and an innovator.  The initial farm products he developed were made of aluminum and galvanized steel and were the “Crop De-Viders” to guide grain into headers and the “Gravity Flow Hoppers” that folded out for unloading.

The Age of Plastics – The Original Poly People

Several years passed when Wesley discovered poly material and used it in his product solutions.  His employees recalled him making trips with the pickup truck to the Twin Cities to purchase 4’ X 10’ sheet of Ultra High Molecular Weight (UHMW) poly. On one occasion, his load of poly sheets took to the air on a busy interstate freeway, creating traffic havoc. 

Wesley used shearing, cutting and bending processes with the poly material to produce poly skid shoes for grain headers.  To this day, the poly skid shoes remain May Wes’s cornerstone product line.

In the mid 1980’s a new YAM CNC Mill was added.  Longtime employee, Bill Templin, loaded the programs on the YAM. That year, the YAM enabled meeting the demand for 1800 sets of John Deere skid shoes for the 200 series head.  This machine is still in use today.  Bill eventually moved from production to a technical support role until he retired at the age of 75 in 2014.  

May Wes became recognized as the innovator for applying poly material to the ag after-market industry.

The Original Stalk Stomper

In 1987, May Wes brought to market a solution to knock down tough corn stalks ahead of the combine tires called The STALK STOMPER. This, too, is one of the company’s cornerstone product lines and continues to be the leader in the industry.

Product Lines Developed

Over the first 25 years, May Wes developed and sold many ag-related product lines.  Among them include:

Poly Tractor Fender Guards, 1985Wesley Walker, 3-wheeled riding units for weeding crops, 1987Poly 5th Wheel Covers Slide-N-Drive, 1989 (still available, now named Slick Plate)Moldboard Covers  (still available)                                                                                                                          Power Stack, a hydraulic outlet, 1992Header Height Control, 1992Poly Blades, 1993 (still available)Poly Retractable Fingers, 1994 (still available)Grain Header Carts, 1994Cutting Boards, 1994 (still available)Poly Disc Scrapers, 1995Poly Row Crop Rolling Shields, 1995Sliding Planter Lids, 1995Poly Closing Wheels, 1996 (still available)Cash Catcher Corn Saver Shield, 1996Mega Shoes, 1996 (still available)May Wes back then

Jason Templin started working at May Wes in 1990, after school, to earn money for a snowmobile.  Troy Martin was 18 years old when he joined May Wes in 1994. Both Jason and Troy are still with the company.  They fondly speak of the days working in the Bruns farm buildings that facilitated the May Wes operations.  In the 90’s there were about a dozen production staff and eight in the office.   Wesley was a progressive boss and always wanted to take care of his employees, valuing their importance to the company.  The 8-5 o’clock workplace had buzzers to manage breaks closely, however, when the work was done on Friday afternoons, the employees would wind-down and could be found enjoying some beer together under an over-trimmed lawn tree called the “May Wes Palm Tree”.  The companies ‘family atmosphere’ of the early days has withstood the test of time and is felt yet today.

With the passing of Wesley, his sons, Mark and Steve Bruns, took over the business. In 1997 the business out grew the farm building and a new facility was built in Hutchinson Minnesota and operations moved there by October.  This facility is still where May Wes operates.  Compression molding presses were added and the gateway for more product development opportunities.

Turn of the Century, Ownership Change

In the summer of 2002, Tom Daggett was approached to be a contracted manager through a four month duration (July – October) after which time he could decide to purchase the business.  Tom was able to pull the former staff together and fulfill the orders through those peak demand months.   He recalls it was the strength of the staff that kept things going. 

Daggett decided to acquire May Wes and formed Pride Solutions LLC with May Wes as one of several business divisions.  Tom’s experience in manufacturing brought about some changes, including inventory management, process and capacity improvements, including the addition of a Komo CNC router in 2003, and organizational/strategic changes.

In the years that followed, many product lines were added and May Wes grew its sales and marketing presence.   The company was an early adopter of the internet and ecommerce website. 

The Quick Disconnect Stalk Stomper design was made available in 2011 and the stalk leveling concept was leveraged with Tractor Stalk Stompers. The popularity of these stalk leveling devices brought about the next design improvement and in three short years, the Quick Disconnect 2 was released.

May Wes’s products, customer base and market share steadily grew such that the volume of orders required implementation of an efficient business infrastructure and consistent practices.  More space was provided with the addition of a large cold-storage facility and optimizing the production floor layout.  The May Wes brand was well known and sought out.

The Next Generation of a Family Business

Tom Daggett’s son, Jack, at the age of 13, worked production during the summers through his college years. He acquired first-hand working knowledge of many production processes.  It was a natural transition for Jack to take on the Operations Manager role in 2013 with guidance from his father, Tom.    Jack helped bring about heightened planning process/Material Requirements Planning, engineered approach to specs/purchasing, controlled documentations and raised the standards for customer service.   

Jack Daggett became Pride Solutions President in 2016 and has aspiration for May Wes’s continued growth in the Ag market through product extensions, team approach to new development, and strategic partnering.

Pride Solutions fosters the small company soul culture and appreciates employee dependability and longevity.  The company encourages community involvement and well-being.  Routine assembly work has been successfully outsourced to the West Central Industries, a local program that employs and develops disabled persons.

One can only imagine what May Wes will achieve at its 50th Anniversary in 2022. 

May Wes will have two locations at the upcoming 2017 National Farm Machinery Show, February 15-18, Louisville Kentucky.  We will continue to be in the West Hall, booth 1212 and we will be adding presence in the South Wing, booth 7971.  New this year will be displays of the GVL Poly Corn Snouts.  May Wes is the exclusive distributor of this product line. Join us at one or both of our booth locations in Louisville KY.  Learn more about National Farm Machinery Show. 

We are pleased to announce an alliance with GVL Poly for the exclusive distribution of the GVL’s Agri Poly product line.GVL Poly will be leveraging May Wes’s sales/marketing talents and dealer network to promote their agriculture products; including the Poly Corn Snouts, Snout Tips and Dust Diverters.

Advantages of GVL Poly Corn Snouts

GVL offers two design series; the Jack Knife and the Rigid.  The Jack Knife has double pivot points allowing the units to fold up, in and down for easy access for maintenance and optimizing storage. Both are designed with non-stick poly material that absorbs impact, resulting in less ear bounce and denting.  The GVL Poly Snouts have deeper shoulders for better crop retention and works well in down corn situations.

Poly Corn Snouts kits are available for John Deere, Case IH, AGCO models and more.

The GVL EZ View Dust Diverters is a popular mechanically-driven system for removing un-wanted feederhouse dust through exhaust from both sides. No modifications to the combine’s electrical or hydraulic systems makes for an easy install.  Kits available for John Deere, Caterpillar and Lexion combine models.

Learn more about the GVL Agri Poly product line by visiting the Poly Snout webpages. 

May Wes Manufacturing has developed a product enhancement to protect new and repair damaged row dividers on John Deere 600 Chopping heads.  Now available is the Row Divider Shield made of heavy-duty UHMW polyethylene material and attaches to the original rubber row dividers.  

This product provides these advantages for the row dividers: 

Extends the Life – the durable UHMW shield reinforces the divider and covers worn spotsLess Costly Repair – the Row Divider Shield is a fraction of the cost of replacing the OEM partHeightens Effectiveness of the divider’s purpose and eliminates windrowing of trashThe Row Divider Shield is available for 30” row spacing and 20/22” rows.  The product is sold individually per row and comes complete with pre-drilled UHMW shield and hardware required for installation.  

Learn more about May Wes’s Row Divider Shield product line

May Wes Manufacturing has expanded the Poly Pickup Band offering to include AGCO, Massey Ferguson, Challenger and Fendt round and square balers.  This latest addition has broadened May Wes’s Poly Pickup brands that consisted of John Deere, Case IH, New Holland, New Idea, Challenger and Hesston.

The Poly Pickup Bands are a direct replacement for metal OEM and comes complete with hardware for easy installation.  They are interchangeable with OEM and can be used in a mix of poly with original metal pickup bands.  The bands are ½” thick and have an additional ¼” thick reinforced support ring on the inside to strengthen and maintain its shape. 

Why poly instead of OEM metal?

The poly material has advantages compared to metal.  Benefits include:

Impact Resistant – will not bend or breakLonger wear life and poly pickups extends metal tooth life tooThe non-stick finish feeds material through easier in wet or dry conditionsQuieter during operationLearn more about May Wes’s full lineup of Poly Pickup Bands.

Stalk leveling attachment for Geringhoff’s Horizon Rotary Chopping Head

May Wes Manufacturing is pleased to announce the recent addition of a Quick Disconnect 2 STALK STOMPER solution for the Geringhoff’s new Horizon corn head. The tool-bar mount kitted products for the Horizon head come in a range of options, from 2-row up to 18 rows, and shoe widths of 9” or 14”. 

May Wes advanced the popular STALK STOMPERS to a new level with the launch of the new and improved Quick Disconnect 2.  Kit options include Shoe widths of 9” or 14”.  Upgrade kits available as well.

Learn more about the new Quick Disconnect 2 STALK STOMPERS.

May Wes continues to offer the most extensive line of Poly Skid Shoes in the industry.  Now available are Poly Skid Shoe kits and replacements for these makes and models:

Case IH 3162 / 3152 Series DraperCase IH 2162 / 2152 / 2142 Series DraperCase IH 2062 Series DraperNew Holland 973 / 73C SeriesNew Holland 880CF / 840CD Series DraperNew Holland 86C / 83C / 82C Series DraperNew Holland 84C Series DraperMacDon FD75 / D65 DraperMacDon FD70 / D60 / D50 DraperMacDon 973 / 974 DraperGleaner Massey 9250 Series DraperGleaner Massey 7200 / 8200 SeriesMay Wes’s use of 100% virgin UHMW poly material assure customers are getting premium Poly Skid Shoe product. This strong durable poly material resists abrasion and assists combine head floatation over wet, sticky crop residue and soil. Even though this is tough material, it is lightweight and suitable for larger grain heads.

The Design and Manufacturing

May Wes’s long 40-year history with Poly Skid Shoes and continuous improvement have resulted in a robust well-fitted design. The one-piece smooth end shoes provide complete coverage and leave no open area for debris to catch.  Computerized drilling of counter-bored holes insures the predrilled shoes have hole accuracies within .01”.  Machined out hanger tab with beveled edges eliminate a catch spot for debris and reduce build up. 

Learn more about May Wes’s complete line of Poly Skid Shoe products.

May Wes Manufacturing re-engineered their popular Quick Disconnect STALK STOMPER and have taken it to a new level with the launch of their new Quick Disconnect 2 (Patent Pending). Check out the new featuresA.    Stalk Stomper assembly locks into place with self-contained spring-loaded lock pin- no loose partsB.    Includes Chain Sleeve to protect from binding & debris buildupC.    Adjustable spring provides ease in changing height & down-pressureD.    The Toolbar Mount Bracket delivers both operating and transport positionsMay Wes offers an upgrade package to enable corn head owners with previous May Wes STALK STOMPERS design to make a practical conversion to the new Quick Disconnect 2.Check out the Quick Disconnect 2 brands/models available. Watch a video to learn more about the new features.

Now available for John Deere, new Holland and Lexion heads

May Wes Manufacturing is now providing molded finger guide replacements for the John Deere 600, John Deere 900, John Deere 200, New Holland 973 and Lexion Poly Retractable Finger kits.  The molded guides are a direct replacement for the OEM guide when used with May Wes Poly Fingers. 

Additional kits that utilize the molded guide in the Poly Retractable Finger kits are: Case IH 3020, Case IH 2020, Case 1020, New Holland 740CF and New Holland 74C, Mac Don CA25 adapter, MacDon CA20 Adapter, MacDon 873 Adapter and Mac Don 8732 Adapter.

Why poly verses metal?

Retractable fingers will break. The damage from a broken metal finger as it feeds through the combine can be significant. The May Wes Poly Retractable Fingers are made of poly/fiberglass material and will crumble resulting in less combine damage. Poly Retractable Fingers are a practical replacement compared to metal.  Learn more.