At Central Illinois Ag in Farmer City, IL, the demand for Hillco Air Flow Systems is nothing short of astounding, and it’s no wonder why with this year’s season being one of the “worst, dirtiest years on the farm.” We had an opportunity to discuss the popularity of the Hillco Airflow System with salesman Clayton Smith and Larry Skinner, a well-known farmer in the Illinois area. Here’s how it all started and why farmers are flocking.
A little over a year ago, Clayton Smith, a reputable salesman at the Farmer City Central Ag location, noticed consistent frustration from farmers looking for help with one specific issue: clogged air filters. Clayton explained that their area deals with intense field dust and debris, especially in dry seasons. Combine’s air filters clogging up has been an ongoing headache for farmers. Filters get packed, equipment efficiency drops, and productivity suffers. That’s where Larry Skinner, a proactive local farmer who started his agriculture journey with a chain of fertilizer companies, comes into the story.
Larry, exasperated from fighting a losing battle every year, approached Clayton at Central Illinios Ag on a mission to find a solution. After doing a deep-dive and weighing options, Clayton recommended the Hillco Air Flow System. After a 30-minute install and 1300 acres of operation without stopping, Larry was “thrilled to death” by its effectiveness.
A short while later Larry and a salesman from Central Illinois Ag loaded the back of a pickup with Hillco Air Flow Systems and hit to road to farmers in the area. Then, because Larry “loves saving farmers money” he also attended a Case IH Combine Clinic in Atlanta, IL where he shared his experience with anyone who would listen. Word spread like wildfire after that, and the rest is history! Now farmers he has never met have Larry’s phone ringing off the hook! At the time of our conversation Larry said “this product sells itself—I just had another call on it 15 minutes ago. It’s really great to work with a company that clearly cares about its customers!”
Now, thanks to Larry’s advocacy and the great support from Central Illinois Ag, demand has skyrocketed. Local farmers are seeing the benefits for themselves—more uptime, less clogging, and smoother operations in the field. Thanks to Clayton and the team, Central Illinois Ag is helping solve one of farmers’ most frustrating equipment issues, one Hillco Air Flow System at a time.
In his own words, Larry said, “This kit wasn’t known in the Midwest, and I just brought the toy into town!”
If you’re tired of constantly cleaning air filters and want to keep your momentum next harvest, a “30-minute install” of Hillco’s Air Flow System is a MUST!
