Sunrise Diesel
Owners: William (pictured) and Dorothy Swartzentruber
Location: In rural Dallas County, outside Tunas, Mo.
Company History: Tall Oak Repair was the original name William chose for his tractor and lawn mower repair business he started at his home garage on Tall Oak Lane five years ago. Last year, he expanded to a new location on Highway 64 at the former Missouri Department of Transportation facility at Plad, a few miles west of Bennett Spring State Park.
Products and Services: William and a part-time employee repair tractors, farm equipment, trucks, heavy equipment and lawn equipment and they also make service calls.
“We sell Country Clippers and Bobcat lawn mowers for both residential and commercial use. I also sell Grillo walk-behind tractors that come with multiple attachments. People especially like those for the tillers but they also have brush mowing equipment so they are a universal unit with a lot of versatility. And of course, we sell parts for lawn and garden tractors, oil, lubricants and the miscellaneous items that go along with them.”
Farming History: William and his wife, Dorothy, and their four children are originally from Iowa’s farmland and came to the Ozarks with the Plad Mennonite Church. In Iowa, he raised cattle and hogs and also worked in feed production with a large feed and farming operation.
“Farming in the Ozarks is different,” he admitted with a smile. “The farms there are bigger and more prosperous and the soil is deep, rich and thick. Here, the farms are smaller and it’s harder with the poorer, thinner soil. I don’t do that kind of farming any more, but I certainly remember what it is all about.”
Future Plans: “To concentrate on the agriculture repair and rebuilding of the diesel engines, including diesel trucks, is my main plan for the future,” William concluded. “But the lawn and garden equipment sales and service will continue the same. The business is growing which is why I moved. We are here to serve our neighbors with top quality products and service so I’m happy with that!”
