Harper Industries is proud of our entrepreneurial beginnings and small-town approach to life and business.
Explore our history below.
A History of Our Heritage
No joke, DewEze opens its doors for business on April Fool's Day 1968.
1968DewEze began with the production of the Hay MoBale in an effort to move small square bales from the field to a flatbed.
1968DewEze was incorporated as the interest in hay handling equipment grew.
1974DewEze unveils the Bale Bus, the first-of-its-kind loader to pick up and haul more than one big bale at a time. This application was later expanded, developing the Bale Van.
1975DewEze produces the 265 Slide in unit with the arrival of the round bale. Hydraulically powered equipment is capable of moving two round bales at once, without a need to remove standard pickup beds.
1976DewEze hydraulic power systems use expands. The hydraulic system originally designed for moving bales was applied to other commercial enterprises for live, truck-mounted hydraulic power.
1979DewEze introduces the Pull Dozer, a versatile tool designed for land leveling, back filling and snow removal.
1979The two-bale Super Slicer hay processor expands the hay handling line, rotating the bale to the 'soft spot' and slicing into a swathe.
1979DewEze' Bale Pikup technology is applied to tractors with the release of the 165-I Bale Hugger. This innovative design later expanded to skid steers
1983A watershed year: DewEze introduces its first bale bed line, the 200 series, at the 1984 Kansas State Fair.
1984Harper Turf can trace its origin back to the production of an innovative, two-wheeled, self-leveling mower by DewEze. The machine featured dual floating decks and was capable of mowing all types of terrain, including hillsides, crowns and ditches that most machines could not handle.
1986Offering many of the same safety and operator comfort features as the MC70, the 144 found a home in state, governmental and municipal markets.
1988This innovative and rugged designed carried five big, round bales sideways or end to end while transporting from field to field.
1988DewEze Hydraulics rolls out the electric control valve, an adjustable flow regulator designed to maximize snow plow removal.
1988DewEze Manufacturing is acquired by the Owosso Group.
1991The 660 Bale Loader bolt-on unit is brought to market, converting any flatbed into a round bale transport/feeder.
1994The automatic self-leveling system of the ATM72 keeps the operator, engine and controls upright for mowing on slopes up to 34 degrees.
1994OEM Division gives power on demand for markets in aerial lifting, wreckers, dump bodies and snow removal equipment.
1995OEM replaces traditional v-belts with serpentine belts to power clutch pump kits - improving efficiency and quality.
1996Ranchers turn their farm trucks into a versatile hay handling tool with the 300 Series Bale Bed.
1996Slide-in technology is updated to the 365 unit from the original 1976 design.
1996The Super Slicer II - the next generation of bale slicing equipment - is introduced as an innovative tool to feed long stem hay.
1997DewEze expands its flatbed line, offering a 100 Series Standard Flatbed and a Reel Transport model to serve various markets.
1998Harper Industries, Inc., an employee leadership group formed by Tim Penner, President, acquires the assets of DewEze Manufacturing from Owasso, initiating a period of profound growth and innovation.
1998DewEze introduces its first new product line since being purchased by Harper industries: the 400 series bale bed.
2000HII expands its turf maintenance and landscaping lines after purchasing Goossen Industries of Beatrice, NE, from the Toro Corporation.
2002Another new product line; the 500 Series bale bed was released, accommodating dual wheel trucks.
2002The latest addition to the Harper Turf line, the TV40, combines powerful pickup performance with a patented, dust-control feature.
2003HII purchases an interest in Horsch activity in North America agreeing to produce Horsch tillage and seeding equipment at the HII plant in Harper, KS.
2007The leader in all-terrain mowing technology, Harper Industries introduces the next slope mowing innovation - the ATM 162.
2007DewEze Manufacturing announces the VT Series Valve System featuring the PosiFlow reservoir - a labor-saving tank for trucks in the snow and ice industry.
2009Harper Industries unveils the TV30, a self-propelled turf sweeper and vacuum unmatched by any tow-vehicle or pull type unit.
2009In classic DewEze style, the 600 and 700 series bale bed redesign features a new headache rack, LED lights, Gatorhyde coating and a new paint scheme on the arms.
2009Built with the same strength and style as the industry-leading Parallel Squeeze, the Pivot Squeeze Bale Bed opens and closes from 110 to 34 inches wide.
2013DewEze OEM begins to promote E/H systems as an optional power source for trucks without available PTO or clutch pump kits.
2014DewEze establishes a position in the truck equipment market with the release of the 1000 Series Standard Flatbed.
2015Harper Industries' three divisions continue to thrive, generating $25 million in revenue.
2015DewEze expands its Ag line with the BeefCake TM, a twin, six-inch auger cakefeeder.
2016Harper Turf Equipment redesigns the self-propelled vacuum with the release of the TV35
2017Harper Turf's latest solution to the debris management line, the MultiLoader, features a belt-driven impeller and coned inlet to cut clean up time.
2017HII celebrates its 20th anniversary, building on the tradition of providing durable power solutions in the agriculture, work truck and sports turf industries and making its mark in markets worldwide.
2018Built with the same vitality as its predecessor, the DewEze BeefCake Cotton Edition boasts a quick engaging agitator, plus the twin auger system, to keep WCS flowing to the chute.
2019Harper Industries acquires Butler Beds, based in Bixby, Okla., further strengthening the family's diversified portfolio in the fields of durable and economical agriculture equipment.
2019The next generation hay processor, the S3 by DewEze, is redesigned utilizing a Schumacher drive offering a consistent, even cut when feeding hay.
2019A game changer for debris management, the new Harper Hawk finds solutions for challenging collection needs.
2020