BOTKINS, Ohio — Ohio Farm Science Review visitors who stop by the Apple Farm Service booth will find a wide variety of the latest equipment to peruse. Representing more than 100 manufacturers of agricultural, construction and grounds care equipment, the company has been in business since Henry Apple founded it in 1955.

Now headed by Henry’s son, Bill, the company works from two Ohio locations – Covington and Botkins – to assist large- and small-scale farmers. Apple provides a large inventory of new and used farm equipment, such as tractors, combines, loaders, harvesters and mowers.

Joan Clingerman, Henry’s daughter and office manager of the Botkins store, said Apple carries equipment farmers need no matter what conditions they encounter. “If we have a dry year, we have the equipment that they need,” she said. “If we have a wet year, we have the equipment they need.”

“We understand that having a machine that is reliable and well-maintained is as important as having the right type of farm tractor, combine, harvester or mower for the job,” the company website adds. “Apple Farm Service inspects all of its farm equipment for sale and will inform you of every last detail.”

The inventory includes balers, combines and field cultivators, to medium-duty construction equipment such as skid steer loaders, ground levelers and backhoes. The company also stocks lighter pieces of equipment such as riding lawn mowers. Apple carries tractors from New Holland, Kubota and Case. Equipment from Gehl, Supreme, Kinze, Kuhn, Great Plains and Krause includes harvesting, skid steer loaders, material and feed handling, planters and drills, tillage tools, hay and forage, augers and elevators and spray.

Apple also has Manitou forklifts and lawn mowers from Bush Hog, Grasshopper and Land Pride, as well as construction equipment such as loaders, backhoes, trenchers and skid steer loaders.

Clingerman said her favorite advertising slogan is: “Another good reason to see the folks at Apple Farm Service.” The slogan applies whether she’s talking about lawn mowers, big tractors or combines.

“I can’t say we’re one-stop shopping, but we do carry a lot,” she said. “We are Ohio’s top revenue producer for the New Holland company. That’s basically because of the parts. If you need a part, we can get it.”

The parts department has in stock or can order replacement parts for all the major brands of farm equipment. An online tractor parts catalog and parts request system makes ordering convenient.

In addition, the company has a full-service farm equipment repair shop which serves west-central Ohio and offers on-site repair. Certified mechanics are trained to work on many different product lines and types of tractors, farm equipment and medium duty construction equipment.

Financing is available, as are options such as leasing, loans and credit accounts.

From its beginnings as a small shop on a farm, the company has grown to cover many aspects of agricultural equipment. Henry Apple was a pioneer in the field of helping a farmer be more productive and earn a better living from his land, according to the website.

Influenced by his father, Alfred, a thresher, Henry used his natural leadership abilities toward innovative methods to be progressive and beneficial. In the mid-1950s, Henry created a new type of forage harvester that began the self-propelled harvesters common today. He used parts from a World War II tank half-track, a Massey Harris 101 rear end, a Chevrolet steering axle and a Gehl FH84 with TR83 two-row corn attachment.

The young farmer/inventor drew publicity and attracted the attention of other farmers. The Gehl company offered Henry a dealership in 1955, and a new business was born. From a small shop on Henry’s farm, originally known as Apple Chopper Service, the business has grown to its two locations.

Henry died in 1996, and his son, Bill, is now the company’s president and CEO, and Joan is the Botkins location office manager, involved in marketing. Rounding out the family company is Henry’s wife, Ina, who still contributes on a daily basis, as does Bill’s wife, Linda. Bill opened the Botkins satellite store in 1985.

For more information, call the Covington location at 937-526-4851 or 800-860-4851 or the Botkins location at 937-693-3848 or 800-646-1091; or visit www.applefarmservice.com