Long Lane Equipment
Owner: Tom Howerton
Location: Long Lane, Mo., in Dallas County
Company History and Philosophy: “I’ve been in the equipment business in Long Lane for 12 years, but I’ve been milking cows here for 33 years,” Tom Howerton explained. The business is located just off Highway 32, halfway between Lebanon and Buffalo. “I don’t do a sales pitch because I can’t stand to listen to ‘em, so I sure don’t want to do one. When people stop by here, I figure I’ve got one chance to sell them the equipment they’re looking for. I let the equipment do the talking by selling good basic equipment.”
Products: “I sell basic farm equipment – rakes, tedders, disc mowers and brush hogs. Nothing too fancy or too expensive. I sell used equipment too,” he said. “I’ve rescued plenty of stuff from the scrap metal guys because I get a number of folks in here looking for parts for these old tractors. You can never tell what people will like so you have to be ready to try something new and sometimes, it works!”
Best part of your business: “I really like all of it. I get to see the cream of the crop. The best people in the world are in farming and that’s who stops here,” Tom explained. “Hay season gets pretty hectic around here, but I sell good durable equipment that will last as long as you don’t ram it into something. The only bad part is that it all keeps me so busy there’s never enough time to go fishing!”
Story and Photo by Laura L. Valenti
