60 years of history and counting

Opened in 1959

Ray and Margie Claussen started the business in 1959 along the east bank of the Iroquois River near where the walking bridge from Potawatomi Park is now. Equipment had to be driven down the hill behind the building into the back. It came to be at its new location on North McKinley after a 1962 fire that nearly closed the business. In September 2014, the business celebrated 65 years. As the years have gone by, things have changed, and many have stayed the same. Starting as an Allis-Chalmers dealership, the company has since added several other product lines, including KIOTI, Woods, and Grasshopper machinery and parts.  We will do our best to serve our clientele happily, from next door to states away, for many years to come.
Ray Claussen at "The South Building" parts counter
Current Building's early storefront

The golden years

They say the bigger you are, the harder you fall. We were once one of the top 10 Allis dealers in the USA, the dealer chosen to handle their presence at the World's Fair, a national leader in both tractors and combine sales. When we told Allis-Chalmers that if they wanted us to build a new building, they had better write the check, we found ourselves without a major brand, looking at what seemed like the end. It was a good decision because no one would have guessed, but the brand had a grim outlook in the coming years. We took a bet on a (then small) tractor brand, KIOTI, in 1994 and sold our first unit in 1995. We took on Grasshopper the same year as well.  

We don't get so excited about being the largest; we just want to be the best. With only 5 employees, 4 of them related, we strive for personal connection and quality of service. We try to focus on the old way. Skip the hold music and cold calls, stay for the conversation, fireplace, and coffee. Call it holding on to nostalgia if you would like; we just call it Claussen's. 

"We sell the best, and service the rest."
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​- Ray Claussen, 1959

This saying is everything to us. Not only was it coined by our founder and my great grandfather, Ray, it is everything we stand for. It means we continue to sell a product that we can stand behind, a product we use on our own property and recommend to our closest friends and family. We choose our lines based on YOUR feedback. We sell what we do because we love it and so do our customers. As Papa Butch puts it "a product we don't have to apologize for." On top of that we have always taken pride in our service and customer care. Although we do not carry every part for every mower we will do our best to order it for you or try to direct you to a small business nearby who may better help you. We service every line we sell and almost anything anyone brings in from old show tractors to strange city equipment no one else could repair. 
- Savannah Claussen, website manager

Four generations of service.

Ray and Margie Claussen:
Ray and Margie Claussen are the founders of Claussen Equipment. Ray was a man of many hats. Ray “retired” in 1987 but could be found working most days until he passed in 2012. Margie was full time bookkeeper for over 25 years, as well as being a home maker.
(Left to right: Butch, Margie & Linda)
Butch Claussen:
Butch is Ray and Margie’s son. He is the salesman, runs the parts department, and much more. He has worked with the company since 1964. He will tell you he is retired, but he still has a lot of knowledge to pass on and comes in every day. He enjoys long deliveries, and when you can catch him in, he is overjoyed to chat in our showroom rocking chairs.  
Chris Claussen:
Chris is Ray's oldest grandson, and he is Butch and Mary's oldest son. Starting officially in 1993, he is now transitioning into the position of owner and holds just about every hat. Chris is responsible for the second half of our slogan: “We sell the best and service the rest” as he can truly fix anything, given enough time.
Savannah Claussen Clark:
Savannah is Ray's oldest Great Granddaughter and is Chris and Stacy's only daughter, she deals with the online presence as well as acquiring financing for consumers, manages the office, the books, and customer accounts. 
Keegan Clark:
Keegan is Savannah's husband. He started in 2018 as Chris's apprentice. He is now the shop foreman and shares sales responsibilities with Chris.
Mandy Claussen:
Mandy joined our family when she married Butch's second son. Joining the company part time in November 2020 as the second of our third generation employees. She surprises customers with her parts knowledge and has taken on sales as well.  ​
Linda Emerson:
Linda is Ray and Margie's oldest daughter and kept all the books for the business from 1983 until October 31st 2019. She was also the friendly face at the front desk that only had to meet you once to know your name.

​(photo credit: The Rensselaer Republican)
Paul Dunlap:
Paul is the husband of Beverly Dunlap, who is also Ray and Margie’s daughter. Paul worked as a salesman from 1963 to 2014 and is now retired.
Left: Butch, Center: Linda, Right: Beverly
Left: Linda, Behind: Butch, Center: Ray, Right: Paul

Meet the technicians:

Chris Claussen, Keegan Clark, and Joe Bacewic 

Looking back on the republican article from 2018

2018

2025
In 2018 the Rensselaer Republican did an article on us for their down to business page. Little did we know the next few years would bring a whole host of changes, most just part of the natural flow of a family business. Although internally a lot has changed, on the inside when it comes to our space and our hearts, very little has. 

Community pride
Ray and Margie Claussen started a tradition of community involvement for both the business and the people who work there. Ray was involved in 4H and was on the Board of Soil and Water. Margie was very active in her church. Butch is involved with 4H as well, is the Board president of Fuller Center for Housing (previously Habitat for Humanity) in Rensselaer, and was on the advisory board for the Rensselaer Republican. Ray and Butch are both proud veterans, and Linda was involved with Fountain Park Chautauqua (outside of Remington) for many years. Chris finds himself the last hope for fixing many things around town, and Savannah is also a Board Member of the Fuller Center for Housing, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Retired Iron Club with Keegan. Claussen Equipment works with the American Legion next door, has hosted coat drives, and has participated in many other charitable events for the American Cancer Society, local sports teams, 4-H, FFA, and Junior Achievement. We sponsor multiple fairs, and the Jasper County Fair Board believes we are likely their oldest consecutive sponsor. In 2022, we sponsored a local park's baseball team for the first time and continue to do so year after year. You will always find various flyers and advertisements for church dinners, sports, breakfasts, park events, and the Jasper County Fair inside the showroom on the working antique pop machine.