When it comes to spring field prep, Idaho farmers face a unique set of challenges—from heavy straw residue to unpredictable weather conditions. For Nick Frei, a grower on the prairie just outside Hillco’s headquarters, the Hillco Harrow Cart has transformed the way he manages his post-harvest and spring operations.
In this exclusive interview, Nick shares how upgrading to the Hillco Harrow brought time savings, improved residue management, and greater field consistency.
Challenges with Previous Harrow Setups
Before switching to the Hillco Harrow Cart, Nick relied on a traditional heavy harrow for post-harvest stubble and an older 10-bar harrow cart for spring work. While functional, both came with limitations.
“Our heavy harrow before Hillco worked well in standing stubble after harvest,” Nick says, “but it didn’t perform in the spring. That older cart was heavy and only worked if straw was well-managed. If not, it left straw pikes everywhere.”
The result? Lost time, inconsistent field finishes, and frustrating setups that couldn’t adapt to different crop conditions.
Testimonial from another Hillco Harrow customer, Riggers- Clearwater Farms
…a wider, lighter, and more agile option designed to tackle even tough straw conditions. For Nick, the difference was immediate.
“The Hillco Harrow much wider, so we get a lot more done in a day,” he explains. “The harrows ‘dance’ around a bit more, so they don’t drag or leave bundles. The 18-bar design smooths up a field really well—like after disking canola stubble.”
Thanks to the increased width and efficient layout, the Hillco system covers more ground with fewer passes, making it ideal for high-acreage spring prep.
Farmers in the Northwest need equipment that stands up to rough terrain, variable residue, and long hours. Nick says Hillco delivers.
“It’s built very sturdy, and winging it out in the field is easy. My teenage son can even operate it!”
He also points to the modular design as a key benefit. If a lighter touch is needed in wet or clean spring conditions, removing the back 9 bars is a quick and simple adjustment.
“It’s nice that if we don’t need all 18 bars, we just unbolt the back half. That flexibility is huge.”
When asked whether the Hillco Harrow has saved him time or labor, Nick doesn’t hesitate.
“Absolutely. We cover more acres daily because of its size. And there’s very little downtime—no breakdowns, low maintenance.”
Between the reliability and faster coverage, the harrow pays for itself quickly in labor savings and reduced wear on other equipment.
Compared to other tools in his lineup, Nick ranks the Harrow Cart at the top.
“It’s built as well—if not better—than other products we’ve used. Setup is simple, and everything is designed with the user in mind.”
Ease of use is especially important for operations involving multiple operators or seasonal help, and Nick’s experience proves that Hillco delivers intuitive, farmer-friendly engineering.
Would Nick recommend the Hillco Harrow Cart to other growers?
“Absolutely. It works great in different conditions, it’s low-maintenance, and it’s easy to wing out in the field. That makes it a win across the board.”
Whether you’re managing heavy spring residue or looking to maximize acreage with minimal maintenance, the Hillco Harrow Cart is engineered to meet the real-world needs of growers like Nick Frei.
Contact us today to learn more or schedule a demo in your area.
