Pella, IA — LDJ Manufacturing, Inc. — manufacturer of growing agricultural and construction brand Thunder Creek Equipment — has transitioned 100 percent of its ownership to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). While the business will continue to operate as it is today with existing leadership, the transition to an ESOP provides an opportunity for the employees to be more invested in the success of the company and rewards team members with additional long-term retirement benefits.

Pella, IA – Thunder Creek Equipment and its parent company LDJ Manufacturing, Inc. were honored to host officials from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) at its newly expanded manufacturing plant in Pella, Iowa on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. The company added more than 25,000 square feet of new manufacturing space to handle growth in demand for its products in the construction and agricultural sectors — made possible by a $1.5 million loan through the USDA Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program (REDLG) and the Pella Cooperative Electric Association (PCEA).

Pella, IA – Thunder Creek Equipment and its parent company, LDJ Manufacturing, have appointed Ben Cox as the company’s president. Cox previously spent more than three decades at Pella Corporation, the central Iowa-based building products manufacturer.

Thunder Creek Equipment has launched the all new MTO service, fuel and lube trailer, which features unrivaled flexibility for handling up to five different fluid types, including fresh oil, grease, reclaim, diesel exhaust fluid and diesel fuel.

Thunder Creek Equipment, in response to extensive positive feedback on its Multi-Tank Upfit Platform, has re-launched the product on a Dodge RAM chassis, while also adding an optional heated Diesel Exhaust Fluid handling system to meet the needs of customers in colder climates.

Thunder Creek Equipment has completely redesigned its most comprehensive field maintenance solution for heavy equipment dealers – The Service and Lube Trailer (SLT).

This article originally appeared in Modern Contractor Solutions, July 2019

Colorado Milling resurfacing Denver Metro with attention to fueling efficiency

When Chris Vorhies started Colorado Milling, LLC in 2016, he had a vision of executing asphalt milling jobs along the entirety of the front range of the Rocky Mountains. With more than 50 years of experience between himself and his team, Vorhies strove to become a growing force in the redevelopment of roads, highways, parking lots, and asphalt surfaces along the I-25 corridor.

Thunder Creek Equipment and Vaughan Equipment today officially announced the Fairfield, Illinois-based heavy equipment dealer will be an official Thunder Creek distributor, serving the agricultural, construction, tractor/trailer, marine and oil field industries in southern Illinois and Indiana, as well as western Kentucky.

By Jeremy Scott, territory sales manager, Thunder Creek Equipment

Soil Designs Inc. is a fourth-generation, family-owned contractor that develops custom pads for luxury homes in southern California. The company’s projects range from $5 million to $100 million homes, which require precision grading services including rough and finished grading, utility work, pool footings, and placing landscape elements like trees and boulders.

Earlier this year, we released a series of improvements that improve operation and durability of our most popular trailer models.

In 2009, Loren and Jean Van Wyk and two of their sons, Luke and Chad, were operating two businesses: a family farm (LDJ Farms) and steel fabrication business (LDJ Manufacturing).

Thunder Creek is built on innovation. For a decade, we have sought to serve those who operate heavy equipment by improving the way they manage fuel and fluids. 2018 was no exception, and several industry leading publications took notice.

The crash of a stolen mini van near your farm during soybean harvest would be enough of a tale for one day — but that’s not where Mark Lehenbauer’s day would end. The driver of the van, alleged to have been under the influence, then chose Lehenbauer’s truck connected to a Thunder Creek FST990 fuel trailer as their getaway vehicle.

We have unveiled our latest platform for transporting bulk diesel, and it’s like nothing you’ve ever seen from Thunder Creek.

A Service & Lube Trailer comes in at a fraction of the cost of a lube truck, even when you consider the cost of the truck to haul it.

Thunder Creek trailers keep harvesting equipment on the move by reduce the downtime associated with refueling, filling DEF and servicing equipment in the field. With harvest just around the corner, now is a great time to make sure your trailer is running in top shape when you'll need it the most.

Jeremy Scott demonstrates how the gas powered pump option, available on FST Series Trailers, delivers 40 gallons per minute at the nozzle.

We are busy packing up for the nation’s largest outdoor farm event. We’re bringing a one-of-a-kind FST Series Trailer with us, along with our best deals, giveaways and even hosting a special guest.

When Castle Rock Fire & Rescue’s preventative maintenance provider could no longer support their needs, they turned to Thunder Creek and found a unique and affordable way to service their emergency response fleet.

Equipping your farm with the right fuel system, whether its a transfer tank, a fuel trailer or a fuel truck, can make a substantial impact in the efficiency of your field time. We put together this graphic to help you determine which system is right for your farm.

In the coming months, we'll be loading up the latest Thunder Creek fuel trailers and DEF handling systems (along with some pretty good promotions and give-aways) to travel the Midwest. We'll meet with our agricultural friends at several trade shows as well as Beck's events.

We often encounter individuals who believe a CDL is required if a truck and tow vehicle’s Gross Combined Weight Rating exceeds 26,000 lbs. or if the trailer’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating exceeds 10,000 lbs. But this is not exactly true…

The first of our late summer / early fall ag shows is this week (July 10 - 12) in Marshfield, WI. We'll be offering specials on our most popular fuel trailers at this show and several more in the coming weeks.

Matt Pence talks about the Thunder Creek FST990 and how it gives him more time in a day to get crops in during tight planting windows.

You work the ground. You're up with the dawn and work long into the night. Dirty knuckles and sweat on your brow. We pause this Independence Day to share this video to say thank you for all you do - day in and day out - to build this great nation.

God bless you and God bless America.

Pella is a town in south central Iowa with a modest population (just over 10,000) and an uncommonly high concentration of entrepreneurs and world-class manufacturers (Vermeer, Lely, Pella Windows – just to name a few.)

And we’re blessed to call it home.

There are only four days left to take advantage of savings on our most popular trailers. Get a free electric/hydraulic jack upgrade or $900 cash rebate on qualified FST Series Trailers, Multi-Tank (No HAZMAT) Trailers and Service & Lube Trailers.

We’ve added to our line-up of field tools designed to help reduce downtime and simplify maintenance and repairs of off-road machinery.

It's common knowledge that a HAZMAT endorsement is required when hauling more than 119 gallons of diesel. Many also understand that agricultural operations are usually exempt from this requirement. But there are circumstances when ag operators do, in fact, need a HAZMAT. And there are scenarios when non-ag operations can haul bulk diesel without a HAZMAT.

Thunder Creek's FST Series Trailers and Economy Trailers are now more accessible to farmers and ranchers in Western Kansas and Eastern Colorado, thanks to a new partnership with American Implement.

We just had an opportunity to put a trailer into service for a cusotmer that is a bit outside our usual customer profile - those who own and operate off-road machinery. This is more of an "above-the-road" application.

Take a look at two tank cutaways - one from a Thunder Creek trailer and one from a competitive brand - and see one of the unique fabrication techniques that makes Thunder Creek trailers stand up to the rigors of the road.

If you're like most Thunder Creek owners, your trailer plays a big part in controlling downtime and keeping your machines on the move. But did you know that your trailer could be doing even more to help you save time and service better?

A gas-powered pump is now available as an option on all Multi-Tank Trailers. This provides faster fueling – 30 GPM – within the No HAZMAT model platform. It’s ideal for operations who desire to operate independent from an electric power source.

DEF is not… blue.

Many companies that manufacture DEF or DEF handling equipment use the medium-blue color to distinguish their products for use with DEF, but the fluid itself is clear.

On occasion, we get requests for custom blended paint (outside the regular line-up of eight colors) and trailer wraps. Here's a look at a few of those projects we've done over the years.

DEF is… a precise blend.

It’s 32.5% highly pure, automotive grade urea and 67.5% de-ionized water. The ISO 22241 Standard defines the clear-cut manufacturing process of DEF, along with proper handling and storing practices.

Congratulations to Andy Morehouse of Tallula, IL, who won the free Thunder Creek WorkSight Light Tower that we were taking entries for at all of our Spring farm shows! Congrats Andy!

Yancey Bros. Co. and Thunder Creek Equipment have reached an agreement that will make the heavy equipment dealer an official provider of Thunder Creek’s products throughout Georgia.

AgriVision Solutions has signed on with Thunder Creek Equipment to carry the company’s line of Fuel & Service Trailers (FST) at its Salisbury, Missouri operation. AgriVision is an independent agronomy consulting business specializing in Missouri row crops.

Last month, we traveled to the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville where we talked to owners of Thunder Creek trailers and DEF totes. We asked how it was making an impact for their operations.

DEF freezes at 12°F (-11°C). When it freezes, it expands by approximately 7%. This can cause damage to your Thunder Creek DEF tank and pumping system. Here's the steps to winterize the DEF system on your Thunder Creek fuel and service trailer.

Last month, we unveiled the new FST Series fuel, DEF and service trailers. They feature 60+ enhancements for useability, durability and versatility. Several of the upgrades are focused around making it even easier to handle DEF in off-road environments.

Getting your Thunder Creek trailer or DEF tote ready for winter is easy. DEF freezes at 12° F (-11° C). If that occurs, you risk rupturing the DEF tank and damaging the hose and coupler as well.

Get Your Trailer In Time For Harvest.

Units are available for immediate shipment. Contact your nearest dealer or give us a call at 866.535.7667.

While the first official estimate of the 2014 corn and soybean production won’t be released by the USDA until next week, initial reports have emerged in the last few days

The first step to understanding the value that a Thunder Creek fuel and service trailer would bring to your operation is to assess how much time it will save. We've put together this simple calculator so you can figure how traveling faster and fueling faster will pay out for you this fall.

Nobody builds a better fuel trailer than Thunder Creek. Not sure there's a difference? Check out this short video:

At Thunder Creek, we strive for innovation. To bring new ideas and solutions to the field. To make a meaningful difference in your operation. Check out how Thunder Creek does this, like no one else can:

Thunder Creek is by far best in class when it comes to design and manufacturing. So it makes sense that we would stand behind our trailers in the same way.

You're up long before the sun. When it sets, the work goes on.

The new WorkSight Light Tower illuminates up to 75' of work area, which makes fixing a piece of equipment or refueling in the dark much easier.

Starting in 2014, every manufacturer of diesel engines in the 74-750 hp category will be using a technology called Selective Catalytic Reduction as part of their strategy to meet the final emissions standards set forth by the EPA. This technology uses a fluid called diesel exhaust fluid (DEF).

As the old saying goes - time is money. Calculating the value that a Thunder Creek fuel and service trailer would bring to your operation is best done by determining the amount of time it could save you. Enter the information as it pertains to your operation in this calculator to see how much time you can save.

We often talk about how Thunder Creek trailers travel smoother than any others on the road. Especially homemade trailers with round tanks. But words only go so far, so we put together thisvideo so you can see for yourself.

Diesel Exhaust Fluid is not like other fluids. It's highly susceptible to contamination, so you can't just put it in any old container and take it out to the field. Contaminated DEF can slow down - or even stop - your operation at critical times.

Thunder Creek Equipment has deep roots in production agriculture.

For decades, Loren and Jean Van Wyk provided for their growing family by farming in south central Iowa.In the mid 90’s, when faced with the decision to “get big or get out” of livestock, Loren put his farm shop to work and started LDJ Manufacturing to supplement the family’s farming income.

“This trailer is a need, not a want.”

“I wasted so much time before I had this trailer. I did the math and it’s saved me enough hours to give me a whole extra day in the field.”

One of the most enjoyable parts of traveling with Thunder Creek is meeting the people who have one of our trailers and hearing firsthand how it makes their lives easier. Case in point: Garland Antrim with Antrim Farms in Indiana. I had the pleasure of meeting this lively man at the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, Kentucky earlier this year.

Thunder Creek Equipment’s DEF delivery solutions meet the ISO 22241 standard for transporting and storing diesel exhaust fluid (DEF).  They are designed and constructed in a way to protect the integrity of both the fluid and the machinery’s SCR system.