HAND implement
Independence, Iowa
Years of Operation: 1944 - 1992
Years of Operation: 1944 - 1992
Howard Herbert Hand started his implement business in 1944. It was located at 914 5th Avenue N.E. in Independence, Iowa. Hand Implement Co. officiated incorporated the business in April 1962 with Howard as president and his son Gerald as a director of the corporation. Howard passed away in 1984.
Hand Implement opened a second location in Ely, Iowa after purchasing Ely Tractor & Equipment in 1983. They closed the Ely location and held a close out sale there in March 1988.
Doug Hand, grandson of Howard, became president of the business in 1988. At the time, the dealership's brands included White Farm Equipment, New Idea, Deutz Allis, and Massey Ferguson. Although the dealership survived the 1980's, a culmination of manufacturer bankruptcies, drought, repossessions, and continued tough economic conditions were too much for the almost 50 year old business. Hand Implement had its closing out auction on July 17-18, 1992.
Hand Implement opened a second location in Ely, Iowa after purchasing Ely Tractor & Equipment in 1983. They closed the Ely location and held a close out sale there in March 1988.
Doug Hand, grandson of Howard, became president of the business in 1988. At the time, the dealership's brands included White Farm Equipment, New Idea, Deutz Allis, and Massey Ferguson. Although the dealership survived the 1980's, a culmination of manufacturer bankruptcies, drought, repossessions, and continued tough economic conditions were too much for the almost 50 year old business. Hand Implement had its closing out auction on July 17-18, 1992.
Hand Implement shown in March 1980. The dealership building is in the left side of the photo with a White Farm Equipment sign to the right. An Oliver 2255 tractor is parked on display.
around the dealership in 1980
Photo Credit: Blane Bolte
A full page newspaper ad from 1965 showcasing Hand Implement Co.
An "Oliver Farm Fair" was held in March 1966 at Hand Implement.
The former Hand Implement dealership building remains today and is shown in 2024.