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Johnson, Mike
| Last Name: | Johnson |
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| First Name: | Mike |
| Dates: |
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| Biography/History: | Mike Johnson built his first combine cab in an old Colfax garage as “a matter of survival.” He was working with his dad and had terrible allergies, so “had no business farming,” much less driving a combine during the dusty harvest. In 1968, he formed the “Comfort King Cab” corporation to build cabs for hillside combines. His first model had no air conditioning or filtering, just a blower system. During winter months workers from local families helped him manufacture the cabs, as many as 100 per year. Production stopped in 1977, just after John Deere began producing combine models with cabs already installed. (info from Combine Cab label from Earth Day at the MAC 2012) Comfort King Cab Company interview with Mike and Karen Johnson, April 29, 2011 re MAC Collection #4262 Comfort King Cab Collection and # 4275.1 Combine Cab. Mike: Built first cab himself, in late ‘50s-early ‘60s in an old garage “over the hill” [from current home] where he and wife Karen lived when first married. He mounted the cab onto a John Deere 1959 95H combine. At that time he was working with his dad and had terrible allergies, so “had no business farming.” Creating this cab [instead of driving the combine in open air], was “a matter of survival.” He first used plywood inserts instead of glass. Other farmers at that time were making their own cabs to protect driver from sun, dirt, chaff. One of these was the “Wexler Sunbonnet,” which only offered shade and protection from sun. In 1968, Mike formed “Comfort King Cab” corporation. After building first prototype on the garage floor, Mike knew he needed more visibility, so added glass to sides and back. First model had no air conditioning or filtering, just a blower system. Frame of welded angle iron; top and sides of plywood. Glass in front only. Comfort King mostly built for “hillside” combines. Some small companies had already built cabs for “level-land” combines. He didn’t apply for cab patent, since a level-land combine cab patent had already been issued. Each combine had a different configuration. All the John Deere 95s used same cab model. The 602s needed minor mount changes over time. International: built most cabs for the 453 models; a few for the 151 model. Built a very few for ’98 Harris in early years. Also build cabs for swathers and 2 different cabs for “hay cubers.” As company grew, they kept adding on to the original shed; final shed still next door to current home. Posted company name in big letters on end of manufacturing shed. [letters no longer there.] Year’s activity level had peaks and valleys due to installation season. Manufacturing done during winter months; peak annual production was about 100 cabs (19??). Air conditioning units came from ARA Manufacturing Co. Mike became largest distributor of ARA’s “agricultural unit,” manufactured in Texas, so there were some “tense moments” waiting for parts to arrive for manufacturing or for repairs. Frame designs stayed same; all were hand-welded, setting metal bars into jigs. Mike built and bought machinery to roll the roof and dripline edges. At first windows were plain glass; soon moved to tinted and tempered. At first Mike loaded frames into his pickup and took them to Moscow, ID for glass installation; as company grew, they ordered ahead (tempering took time), and glass dealer delivered and installed windows at Comfort King shop. Another “tense time” was waiting for glass to arrive on time. Shop had about 8 production line stations; cabs moved on casters and/or by forklift from stage to stage. Company workforce: Started with 1; peaked with 10 in 1973 (actually 24, many part-time). Three desks in office area of manufacturing shed, with a safe and adding machine: Mike Johnson, Richard Smith (General Manager), Karen Johnson (bookkeeping). Pete Thomason, Shop Manager had worked for another farmer in area, as well as for R.A. Hanson in Palouse; very knowledgeable and handled the shop very well. . Pete was older; many workers were just out of high school; farm kids had great work ethic. Employees were like family: Pete’s wife worked out of the home, so he brought his 5-year-old to work, and Karen cared for her along with Johnson’s own children. Multiple family members worked for the company: Smiths, Wells, Thomasons, Halls. At one time there were 4 sets of brothers working together; Wells and Smiths each had 3 brothers on the payroll. Two servicemen and trucks served the local area; most dealers provided service themselves. Marketing: Word-of-mouth; “might have run a couple of articles in local newspaper.” “Put cab on a small trailer and took it to fairs,” where equipment companies had displays. “Back then everyone smoked; distributed matchbooks with company name as advertising. Gathered pre-orders by calling dealerships, who ordered cabs based on the number of combines they had on order. Logo designed by a Spokane company; had a red combine version for International/Case models. Distribution: At first, sold to individual farmers to mount onto their existing combines, whether old or new. Soon sold mostly to dealerships. In Idaho, Montana, Washington (*Walla Walla, Pendleton areas), Comfort King provided installation. At more distant dealerships (Oregon, California), dealers provided installation. Comfort King Cab production stopped in 1977. His dad died suddenly, and since Mike was in farming partnership with his dad, he had to focus more on the farm work. Also, in 1976, John Deere had begun producing combine models with cabs. Soon you could not buy a John Deere combine without their standard equipment cab. Local farmers were not happy. They liked Comfort King cabs better because they were roomier; drivers could stand up inside to stretch or even fit in a passenger. Farmers are loyal to one brand. Most Colfax area farmers buy John Deere brand (green); some regional dealerships sell International/Case brand (red). Dealerships are franchised. Today with the price of oil and OSHA and Labor & Industries rules, it would be very expensive to manufacture cabs. Mike has always liked working with his hands, and all farmers spend winter improving equipment. He developed other inventions. During a push for “no-till” farming, he developed a “no-till drill” and manufactured some under the Comfort King name. Mike helped Morton Swanson build first one for himself, then Mike took on the business. He built 8 of these drills, but production costs increased and the idea was still a “novelty” with many farmers not sure it would work. The concept was to seed the next crop right behind the combine harvester; less soil preparation stages and saves erosion; works for all crops. But there were problems with weeds, rodents, and too much plant residue, so most farmers use “minimum till” methods today. Mike also built 2 multiple-sided truck hoppers. They were using bulk fertilizer at that time. The augers used to distribute the fertilizer were tall and top heavy. It was fun to apply for and get the patent. The “Hydra Hopper” was operated by the truck’s hydraulics or by a compressor attachment. Another local innovator was R.A. Hanson of Palouse (combine cab leveler, etc). Mike has always liked working with his hands; helped build high school track in 1980s; just completing McDonald Park sports complex; has also been on school board. Around 1946, Mike’s grandparents bought this farm and its 1905 house and ca. 1910 barn (burned down ca. 1955). The grandparents lived nearby. Mike’s parents moved their family into this house when he was 9 (ca. 1957). Mike played baseball for Colfax in high school. Karen grew up in St. John, WA; she played drum and was cheerleader. After they married, Mike and Karen lived nearby; when his parents moved into Colfax in 1963, Mike and Karen moved their family into this house. MAC Collection: Comfort King Cab mounted onto a John Deere combine model [19]66-602. Is this the date of this cab, or was it recycled from an older combine? Air conditioning unit, made by ARA Manufacturing Co., Texas. Missing: A compressor to run air conditioner was mounted on side of combine. Hoses ran off the back of the roof air conditioning unit and down the back of the cab to the compressor. |
| Related Objects: |
4275.1 (Combine, Comfort King Combine Cab, 1968-1977)
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