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Forged in Industry, Grounded in Nature: A Transition from Pipe to Farming

On May 20, 2025, Purple Wave Auction conducted an online retirement sale without reserve for the equipment from M3 Hilltop Ranch in Manhattan, Kansas.
Jim Massengale, who founded United Poly Systems, LLC in 2011 with Bert Bridges, transitioned from manufacturing polyethylene pipe to farming beginning in 2017.
After retiring completely from the pipe industry, Jim expanded his farm to include thousands of acres and hundreds of cattle, but eventually decided to cease farming due to the unexpectedly demanding workload.
The auction featured standout items including a 2012 John Deere 8285R tractor sold for $211,200, a 2014 John Deere 6190R tractor fetching $143,000, and a 2022 Massey Ferguson 2270 baler that brought in $124,300.
Jim mentioned that his son Trey has taken the time to familiarize himself with operating all the machinery, and Jim will especially miss using the autosteer baler when cutting hay.

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