Posted on 3rd Nov 2011 @ 3:14 PM

Wellington Implement loans 2011 CIH Magnum340 to LCJVS for student instruction...

On Wednesday, October 26, we had an opportunity to be part of something really special. Thanks to the initiative of Tom Stannard and Wellington Implement, Lorain County JVS students in the Industrial Equipment Mechanics (IEM) Program have a unique opportunity to be trained on one of the most hi-tech pieces of farm equipment on the market. We were on hand with other members of the media as the semi truck rolled into the parking lot with the IEM students anxiously awaiting it’s arrivial.

Stannard took advantage of a special program offered by the Case IH Company to purchase a Case IH Magnum 340 Tractor which will be loaned to the JVS. The tractor is valued at over $327,000 and represents the very cutting edge of farm equipment technology, complete with GPS system and an EPA Tier 4 emissions control system, now mandatory on tractors and trucks.

“The farming and agriculture industries are going hi-tech,” stated Stannard.  “It’s important that the JVS students have the opportunity to develop the skills that employers require.  This is a very sophisticated piece of equipment, and I’m proud to be able to help the JVS students take advantage of learning opportunities associated with it.”

“Having our students trained on this new and emerging technology is certainly going to give our students an employment advantage,” said IEM Instructor Greg Hendricks.  “Junior and senior students, at both beginning and advanced skill levels, will be learning about the operation, maintenance, and programming of this vehicle.”

“This is a tractor that, in theory, can be programmed to drive itself,” continued Hendricks.  “Once we’ve mastered the operation of the vehicle, we’ll then teach students how to program the GPS, run electrical diagnostics, troubleshoot problems, understand the service manual, and perform all of the steps necessary to set-up the tractor for delivery to the customer.”

“Wellington Implement has been a supporter of the JVS for many years,” said Stannard.  “We've hired students and graduates at our dealership, hosted various skills contests, and some of our staff members serve on JVS business advisory committees.  We believe that the JVS is a very important component in both the high school and adult education system and we're very lucky to have such a world-class facility so close to home.”