Center Pivot Assembly Keeps Nebraska Contractor Busy
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When Scott Holtgrew and a friend scrapped out old irrigation systems for salvage as teens, Holtgrew had no idea he would one day own a business that puts up new ones. Over the past decade, the entrepreneur and his crews have become more efficient and busier as more and more producers invest in irrigating the sandy soil fields in a 150-mile radius of Atkinson, Neb.
“There are 3,000 bolts on a standard (quarter-section) center pivot irrigation system, which is 1,290 ft. long,” Holtgrew says, noting that his crew of 2 to 6 people sets up the basic machine, and the dealer sets up the computerized system to get it running.
With cordless and air impact drivers, a Cat skidsteer, and a telehandler, a crew of 5 can build 2 systems in a long day. Holtgrew rigged up a boom on his skidsteer and uses tow wheels to assist in the building.
“It’s easier for dealers to contract us than hire employees, because it’s seasonal work,” Holtgrew says. Also, during the busiest installation time (March through May) irrigation dealership workers are busy troubleshooting systems.
Holtgrew notes that his first opportunity to build systems came when he was in high school and a tornado hit in the area. A dealer asked him to build a couple systems. After earning a degree in diesel mechanics and working at a diesel shop, a bigger tornado hit causing major damage to a 30-mile stretch. A dealer asked him to work full-time building pivots. The 20 pivots he built in 2005 expanded to 150 pivots, plus corner machines and other work in 2013 ‑ an exceptional year for installations. The crew worked most of the winter, except when there was a blizzard.
“We don’t really advertise,” Holtgrew says. Dealers in the area call him for new installation and after storms.
The Nebraskan also helps farm about 5,000 acres, including his own 80-acre hobby farm.
“It’s a good fit, because I like being outside, and I like a challenge,” he says. To keep busy during off-time his crew does some building construction, hauling and other jobs.
He anticipates continued need for his services.
“We have sandy soil, so we need the water. There’s always a demand for irrigation. Storm-damaged pivots keep us busy in the summer,” he says.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Scott Holtgrew, Holtgrew Irrigation, 87770 St. Hwy. 11, Atkinson, Neb. 68713 (ph 402 925-2211; holtgrewirg@yahoo.com).
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Center Pivot Assembly Keeps Nebraska Contractor Busy IRRIGATION Miscellaneous When Scott Holtgrew and a friend scrapped out old irrigation systems for salvage as teens Holtgrew had no idea he would one day own a business that puts up new ones Over the past decade the entrepreneur and his crews have become more efficient and busier as more and more producers invest in irrigating the sandy soil fields in a 150-mile radius of Atkinson Neb “There are 3 000 bolts on a standard quarter-section center pivot irrigation system which is 1 290 ft long ” Holtgrew says noting that his crew of 2 to 6 people sets up the basic machine and the dealer sets up the computerized system to get it running With cordless and air impact drivers a Cat skidsteer and a telehandler a crew of 5 can build 2 systems in a long day Holtgrew rigged up a boom on his skidsteer and uses tow wheels to assist in the building “It’s easier for dealers to contract us than hire employees because it’s seasonal work ” Holtgrew says Also during the busiest installation time March through May irrigation dealership workers are busy troubleshooting systems Holtgrew notes that his first opportunity to build systems came when he was in high school and a tornado hit in the area A dealer asked him to build a couple systems After earning a degree in diesel mechanics and working at a diesel shop a bigger tornado hit causing major damage to a 30-mile stretch A dealer asked him to work full-time building pivots The 20 pivots he built in 2005 expanded to 150 pivots plus corner machines and other work in 2013 ‑ an exceptional year for installations The crew worked most of the winter except when there was a blizzard “We don’t really advertise ” Holtgrew says Dealers in the area call him for new installation and after storms The Nebraskan also helps farm about 5 000 acres including his own 80-acre hobby farm “It’s a good fit because I like being outside and I like a challenge ” he says To keep busy during off-time his crew does some building construction hauling and other jobs He anticipates continued need for his services “We have sandy soil so we need the water There’s always a demand for irrigation Storm-damaged pivots keep us busy in the summer ” he says Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Scott Holtgrew Holtgrew Irrigation 87770 St Hwy 11 Atkinson Neb 68713 ph 402 925-2211; holtgrewirg@yahoo com
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