LYONS, Ohio — Engineered by farmers, for farmers, is the key to satisfied customers of Countryside Implements in Lyons. Gary Schmitz and his son, also Gary (aka Gary II), along with three employees manufacture anhydrous toolbars with specific advantages to farmers – because they are farmers, too.

Having farmed thousands of acres and with a pull type anhydrous toolbar in need of repair, Schmitz and his son came to a fork in the road. They debated the benefits of pre-plant ammonia versus sidedress and decided to go with pre-plant, knowing sidedressing would cover the newly emerging corn and take too long to apply.

They built a completely new 17-shank double-fold pull type bar for pre-plant and started to experiment with some new rolling disk sealers that would help seal the ammonia in the ground. The first disk sealers worked so well they decided to mount a set on a small toolbar to try to sidedress some of their corn.

Because of their design, they found the sealers solved the sealing problem – but the best discovery they made was the protection of the small corn and the speed at which they could apply the ammonia.

“Most everyone in the Corn Belt fall- and spring-applied because the corn grew faster than they could get the ammonia on, but with these rolling sealers, you’re holding the dirt in around the shank and you can apply it when the corn is smaller, move faster and get over more acres,” explained Schmitz.

“You’re also applying the anhydrous when the plant needs it and can best use it. We are dedicated to being more environmentally friendly, in not letting the nitrogen run off into the creeks and streams.”

When the word spread about their “tweaked” toolbar, farmers from the area began asking if the Schmitzes would build one for them too. And with that, Countryside Implements was born.

After five years of designing and testing, Countryside created a new generation of rolling disk sealers. At an 18-inch diameter, this unit is the heaviest in the industry and is built with the popular “no grease” maintenance-free disk bearings.

“The sealers being individual and heavy duty are what sells our machine; people just love them,” Schmitz said.

While the Schmitzes enjoy farming they also like building a custom implement that can last. “I love the engineering part, and we build them a whole lot heavier than others in the industry,” said Schmitz.

“We’re out there and we run them every year ourselves and at the end of the year we know what we need to tweak and adjust,” the younger Schmitz added.

Built with quality parts that are tough enough to last, the Schmitzes have not had to replace many parts on their toolbars.

“When you have to live with everyone in your community, you have to build a good-quality machine or you’re not going to be able to face people,” the elder Schmitz noted.

From five to 15 shanks, customers choose the bar size and color and Countryside will custom build the toolbar to meet needs. Paying attention to detail, the Schmitzes have added a toolbox, a water tank, a step for easier access to the top of the machine and brackets to hold the hoses in place and keep them from being pinched or tangled.

Countryside Implements has also ventured into liquid application, building a new 28 percent machine. “This business has been good for us, because we enjoy doing it and we can keep our employees busy throughout the year,” Schmitz said.

Countryside toolbars have been sold in eight states in the Midwest and can be seen in action at their website, www.countrysideimplements.com

For even more information, contact Countryside Implements at 419-923-3961, or Gary 1 at 419-466-4953 and Gary II at 419-466-5023.