Cover Story: May Wes Manufacturing - The Original Poly People
May Wes Manufacturing (May Wes) was founded in the early 1970s in Gibbon, Minn. and relocated to a new facility in Hutchinson, Minn. in the mid 1990s. The company built its reputation for pioneering the application of ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene material to Ag after-market products.
I acquired the company in 2002 as part of a group of diverse companies under Pride Solutions LLC that serve the Ag and recreational industries, as well as other manufacturing services. Companies within Pride Solutions share unique manufacturing capabilities of working with UHMW poly.
We’ve positioned May Wes for growth by advancing our business systems and infrastructure, and adding the resources needed for producing at higher capacities. While the company has grown, it still possesses the small company soul from its history. I’m privileged to work with a staff of dedicated employees with solid work ethics and who play a major part in May Wes’ achievements.
May Wes plans to maintain its leadership edge by staying current with the new model releases on our key product lines— like our STALK STOMPERS and Skid Shoes—through product extensions. Our products cover many popular agriculture equipment brands and are available as kits or replacement parts.
The release of our new and improved Quick Disconnect 2 STALK STOMPERS for corn heads exemplifies May Wes’ spirit of listening to our customers and responding with innovative solutions. This design change replaces a major change we introduced three years ago with the earliest Quick Disconnect. We’ve been successful marketing and selling the May Wes products through a growing network of dealers, our catalog, and e-commerce website. May Wes strives to be efficient with
order processing and responsive with inquiries. Our staff is ready to assist you. Call our office at (800) 788-6483 or submit your questions through our website’s contact form.
Tom Daggett, President & Owner May Wes Manufacturing
May Wes Manufacturing (May Wes) is located in the heart of farmland in Hutchinson, Minnesota. Surrounded by agriculture, the company is heavily influenced to serve the Ag market. Our products are used across the seasons, from spring planting, tillage, harvest, and winter. Our products also cover a wide range of grain handling applications.
THE ORIGINAL POLY PEOPLE
May Wes has mastered working with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW) material. We found that equipment lasted much longer and passed through the fields with amazing ease by attaching durable, high quality poly to field equipment in spots of highest stress where friction is greatest, and where dirt and debris build up and cause parts to wear out faster. The poly material has been superior compared to the equipment’s original factory steel components, thus making the May Wes line of Poly aftermarket products an ideal choice for replacement and extending the life of the equipment’s highwear areas.
Our engineers stay current with new Ag equipment releases and are resourceful to provide a poly alternative. May Wes prides itself by making sure all products have been field tested and farmer approved before being offered to you. With high standards of quality and workmanship May Wes remains committed to manufacturing high quality parts and products.
HISTORY
The origination of May Wes dates back to 1970s, with Wesley and Mavis Bruns who saw ways to make farm equipment more efficient. They set the basis for our innovation and workmanship standards.
In July 2002 the ownership of the company transferred to Tom Daggett, President of Pride Solutions LLC, and May Wes became a firm under the Daggett Companies umbrella and has access to a vast pool of talent and resources, making us capable of responding to your unique needs. Pride Solutions continues to grow the business and has these other divisions: C&A Pro Skis, Pride Engineered Plastics, and Pride Assembly.
PRODUCT LINES
With hundreds of unique products to make your operation more efficient May Wes is the home of the “Original Poly People.” The product lines at May Wes are constantly changing to incorporate the latest and greatest equipment models that are being released.
Some of May Wes’ most popular and longest running products include:
STALK STOMPER - Wrestle Stubble to the Ground
May Wes developed the original STALK STOMPER solution to knock down corn stalks ahead of the combine and tractor tires preventing tire stubble damage. May Wes has a wide variety of STALK STOMPER products at competitive prices and are readily available. All components are made of high quality steel and the bottom of each shoe is lined with 1/4" thick poly.
STALK STOMPERS lock into place with a self-contained lock pin, which means no loose parts. With the new Quick Disconnect 2, patent pending, a chain sleeve is included to protect from binding and debris buildup. The adjustable spring feature provides easy height and down-pressure changes. The STALK STOMPER is available in both a toolbar mount and direct head mount.
The STALK STOMPERS are a tool of choice in No-Tillage application for residue management and have recognized as Product of the Year at the National No-Tillage Conference for two consecutive years.
COMBINES
STALK STOMPERS are available in complete kits, replacement parts, and upgrade kits/optional accessories. May Wes currently produces complete kits to fit 10 
different brands of combines including:
- John Deere
- Case IH
- New Holland
- Drago
- Geringhoff
- Lexion
- Harvestec - 5000 and 6000
- Fantini
- Capello
- AGCO – Massey, Gleaner, and Challenger
TRACTORS
Tractor STALK STOMPERS are designed to work off of existing tractor hydraulics. Kits are available for popular tractor models. Tractor STALK STOMPERS are available in:
- Model Specific Kits
- Non-model specific Kits (configurable option)
- Replacements Parts
*Kits do not include the 4"x 4" toolbar, but can be purchased separately.
SKID SHOES
May Wes carries an extensive line of Skid Shoe makes and models. This is one of the founding products for the company and has continued to be in high demand.
May Wes Poly Skid Shoes are a practical replacement for OEM. Machine cut from solid sheets of UHMW poly and formed to fit your head, these Poly Skid Shoes are available predrilled or undrilled. Computerized drilling counterbored holes make them within .01" of factory-drilled holes, making replacement easy and timesaving. 
Counterboring holes allow for rivets or bolts to be recessed into the skid shoes, reducing debris build-up.
Skid Shoes are sold in complete kits to outfit an entire grain head or as individual replacement parts. May Wes continues to release new versions for new grain head equipment.
Brands available for complete kits or replacement parts include:
- John Deere
- Case IH
- New Holland
- MacDon
- Gleaner/Massey Ferguson
- CAT
- Claas
- Hart-Carter
May Wes also produces replacement parts for swathers, haybines, cotton pickers, disc mowers, and discbines.
SLIDE-N-DRIVE™ - No Grease. No Problem.
Made from UHMW material, Slide-N-Drive™ Poly Covers eliminate the need for greasing the fifth wheel plate surface. The poly material’s non-stick surface keeps debris from adhering and enables better trailer handling and maneuvering. The ¼" thick UHMW’s superior strength will extend the life of the 5th wheel plate and over-the-road drivers report getting 400,000 plus miles per poly cover.
The Slide-N-Drive™ kits come with everything needed for basic installation. The poly plate is pre-drilled with strategically placed holes that clear obstructions under the 5th wheel plate. Two powdered-coated ram bars and all necessary hardware are included with the kit. Replacement hardware is also available for all models.
The Slide-N-Drive™ is available for a variety of fifth wheel brands including:
- Holland
- Fontaine
- Jost
- Simplex
- ASF
- Reese
- Robin Industries
- RV Fifth Wheel
RETRACTABLE POLY FINGERS
Retractable fingers will break. The damage from a broken metal finger as it feeds through the combine can be significant. The May Wes Poly Retractable Fingers are a practical replacement for metal fingers because they are far less damaging than a metal finger breaking and feeding through the combine.
May Wes supplies Poly Retractable Finger kits and replacement parts for these makes and models:
- Case IH 3020, 2020, 1020, 1010, 3162, 2162, and 2062 series
- John Deere 600, 900, and 200
- New Holland 740CF, 74C, and 973 series
- AGCO/Gleaner
- CAT/Lexion
- Mac Don 872 and 873 Draper, FD60, and FD70 series
AUGER LINERS
May Wes’ auger liners cover the full length of the floor under the auger—not just the feed opening. Condensation and wet grain or corn will not corrode poly lining when the metal is covered with poly. Even if the metal lining is corroded, the poly lining keeps loose grain from falling through rust holes and feeds grain evenly into the throat of the combine.
The Poly Grain Tank Auger Liner kits are available for these:
- Case-IH models: 7230. 8230, 9230; 5088, 6088, 7088, 5130, 6130, 7130; 7010, 8010, 7120, 8120, 9120
- New Holland models: CR920, CR940, CR960, CR970, CR980, CR9040, CR9070
- John Deere models: 9660 STS, 9760 STS, 9860 STS, 9670STS, 9770 STS, 9870; STS, S550 STS, S660 STS, S670 STS, S680 STS, S690 STS
May Wes also manufacturers liners for corn heads and grain heads.
With over 40 years of experience in the poly industry, May Wes Manufacturing holds not only their products but also their staff to the highest standards of workmanship and integrity. For more information about May Wes visit their website at www.maywes.com or call the office at (800) 788-6483.
