A Customer's CMI Experience
Why one customer chooses Birkey's CMI Program
Rich Ochs
“I started on a 700 Case combine,” explained Rich Ochs to his granddaughter early last harvest as she rode with him in their Case IH 7230 combine. “All we had was a steering wheel and a bar to hold us in place. I’ve been through it all.”
Rich and his son Jeff took over operations of the farm around West Liberty over 20 years ago from the previous owner, who Rich had been employed with for over 30 years. “We farm beans, corn, and wheat. We also raise cattle here and we grind our own feed.” The Ochs family has been in the area for as long as Rich can remember. His childhood home was located one mile east of the current operation.
“I want it fixed now I don’t want it fixed next August or September when we’re in the field.”
Ochs Farms has been through several models of red combines over the years. Kevin Lidy, Birkey’s service manager in Newton, remembers their progression of models. “I know I’m young, but I remember them having a 1688 and going to a 2388, and then a 7088,” Lidy said. Looking back on their evolution of machines, Rich remarks, “Today’s machines are so much better than they were years ago. It’s Ochs elievable how they can show when something is going wrong on the screen rather than finding out the hard way.”
Rich, like most farmers, does not enjoy having downtime when it comes to his combine. “Our time in the field is valuable. I don’t want to be down for a day or two, even half a day, when I could’ve been combing beans or picking corn. If we’re going to be out in the field, I want it to run.”
Rich explains that because of their livestock, he and Jeff don’t have a large window to pick their crops in the fall. “If you followed our tracks around in the morning, we’re out here doing chores and grinding feed, so we don’t get to the field at 8 o’clock during harvest. It’s usually around 10:30 or even 12 o’clock.”
Lidy noted that Rich and Jeff had a pretty calm fall this past year. Rich describes how he has a good relationship with all the guys in Newton. “I can call them, and a lot of times the issue is minor, but they get back to me quick with a fix.” Not being charged for his service calls is an added perk of the program for Rich. He added, “I may not call, but knowing that the option is there is a nice benefit.”
Rich recognizes that Birkey’s technicians have the training and spend their time working on these machines every day. “We can read the manual, but sometimes it doesn’t tell you all of the little things you should know. But the techs work with it every day. They can fix it.”
Rich added he would rather have Birkey’s do the repairs on his machine when they find an issue. “If they find something, I want it fixed now I don’t want it fixed next August or September when we’re in the field.” Having their combine in the shop at the end of the season saves them time the following season. “We can take it right out of the shed, hook on the heads, and we’re ready to go.”
“If we’re going to be out in the field, I want it to run.”