Our Old Bookcase: New Idea

A request from a former dairy farmer in Madison, Wisconsin, included a story of his work with the Avco New Idea Model 709 Power Unit, one of two all-new hydrostatic drive power units, introduced by Avco New Idea for 1977, which featured 175 brake and scientifically-designed diamond shaped cab for maximum operator comfort and convenience. This image is shown with optional rear wheel drive.

The dairy farmer wrote that during the summer of 1978, he started working for a large dairy farm, west of Madison, Wisconsin.

He stated that this farm had a 705 diesel power unit, but traded it later that year for a brand new 709 power unit, and 717 combine. They kept the chopper unit from the 705, but purchased the new 3-row wide/narrow row for corn silage. The farmer wrote, “They all ran well.”

This retired dairy farmer requested a copy of our book, “New Idea Company’s UniSystem, 1963-1999, Coldwater, Ohio.”

The four New Idea History books have sold very well, since 2013, when the New Idea Historic Preservation Committee produced the first of the series, “New Idea’s Horse Drawn Spreaders.” The second in the series was “New Idea Co.’s Corn Pickers, 1925-1982,” in 2015. Both of these books sold like “wildfire.” The third book in this series was “New Idea Co.’s Uni-System, 1963-1999.” There is a half of a box of books remaining for sale, of this book. The latest book in this series is “New Idea Co’s Hay Tools, 1931-1999,” which is available to the public.

These last two books will be available on Sunday afternoon, March 27, when the NIHP Committee hosts the New Idea Equipment Toy Exhibit, at the Mercer County Historical Museum, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 130 East Market St., one block east of the Mercer County Courthouse.