100 years of innovation and service
Nikkel Iron Works began in 1923 as a blacksmith shop in the town of Shafter, Calif., just a few miles from our present location.
Albert Nikkel started the business by repairing the local farmers’ machinery. Soon he became known for his ability to fabricate special machinery to meet the needs of the local growers. Jack Nikkel joined his father in the business at a very young age, working in the shop and accompanying him on trips to Los Angeles to purchase steel and supplies.
In time, father passed along to son the art of designing rugged, well-built farm equipment. Together, Albert and Jack developed the Buffalo line of tillage tools, marketed through equipment dealerships. The growth of the business led to the purchase of larger facilities.
In 1987, Nikkel Iron Works entered the hay rake business with the purchase of the DARF line of hay rakes from Hay Equipment Distributors. When Jack purchased the DARF line, he went to work redesigning his “overhead wheel rake” and implemented numerous changes and innovations. The result was a rake that is gentle on the hay, ruggedly built and, most importantly, it was fast.
Today, the DARF Hay Rake is the number one brand of commercial hay rakes in the West. Along with an excellent product line, dealer support has been the key to Nikkel’s 100-plus years of success.
In 1990, The Valleytown Vineyard Duster line was acquired. Today, the Nikkel Iron Works product lines are sold through a network of 200-plus equipment dealers.