A launch story that kept going
Shepherd’s Garage sold Toby his first ZR5 when Vermeer released the model. The video documents that early season and reports 7,000 bales put through the machine. It is not being shared as current product news; it is the starting point of a customer relationship and a long-term equipment story.
Two machines, years of local work
Toby later purchased a second self-propelled baler from Shepherd’s Garage. He continues running the machines for much of the summer in Beaverhead County and the Big Hole—real Montana hay country with long days, changing fields and short weather windows.
What self-propelled baling changed
The ZR5 combined baling and propulsion in one purpose-built machine. The video shows the original productivity and operator-comfort case, but repeat ownership is the more meaningful evidence: the concept earned a continuing place in Toby’s operation rather than serving as a one-season demonstration.
Experience behind the sale
Years with these machines gave Shepherd’s Garage practical experience in selling, setting up, supporting and sourcing parts for Vermeer self-propelled balers. That local history matters when customers are comparing a proven ZR5 with Vermeer’s newer self-propelled generation.
The next generation
The ZR5-1200 is the proven predecessor to Vermeer’s newer ZR-2200 and ZR-4S platform. Customers evaluating either generation can talk with Shepherd’s Garage about the work, field conditions, production goals and support plan—not only the brochure specifications.