Orchard Hill Repair offers small equipment repairs
Jon Gallwitz started working at Finton Equipment when he was a senior at River View High School. “I was in FFA, and they had a program where you could go to school half a day and work half a day. Finton was hiring and I started working there putting new equipment together.”
Gallwitz worked there from the spring of 2000 until 2015. “I worked for the people that purchased it from Finton’s for a few years, then resigned to start my own shop. Our location used to be an apple orchard a hundred years ago, so that’s how we came up with the name Orchard Hill Repair.” He works on lawn tractors, side by sides and gators.
While at Finton Equipment, he moved from assembly into repair. “I’ve always been mechanically inclined and have always helped my dad. I’ve been a tractor guy since I was a little kid and collected them. I kind of fell into working on them and really enjoy what I do. I’m lucky that I can set my own hours and get to do something I really like as my job.” The business is typically open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
He said he will work on any lawn and garden equipment and is able to pick up equipment that needs repaired. “I have a set fee for pickups in the county. I can come and get it where it broke down. I’ll either bring another tractor to pull it onto the trailer or I can winch it on.”
Orchard Hill Repair also offers a spring service option. “I’ll change the oil and filters, sharpen blades, and check belts. It’s like a 20 point inspection to make sure your tractor is good to go for the summer.” He said a lot of people like to do their own routine maintenance, but he is available if someone needs more help than they can do.
Gallwitz said he has had some tricky repairs over the years. “If I do get stuck, I’ll bring in another set of eyes to take a look. Lots of times, that’s all I need, and we get it fixed.” Right now, he is about two weeks out and he encourages anyone who may want their equipment looked at this spring to call him soon. “Everyone wants their stuff fixed right away, but I won’t bump anyone. It’s always first come, first served with me.”
For more information or to contact Orchard Hill Repair, look for their Facebook page.
Category: Business
