ND Ag Hall Of Fame Inductees

Sherman Quanbeck

Sherman Quanbeck, Mandan/McVille, ND, was a successful farmer, inventor and entrepreneur who increased the efficiency and productivity for the farmers of North Dakota and the world.  He independently designed and patented the world’s first floating beam plow and a full line of tillage and labor saving farm equipment.  In 1961, Quanbeck licensed his floating beam plow to Reiten Manufacturing and later the Melroe Company for production.  It revolutionized plowing because the plow allowed the share to float over rocks and mechanically reset itself.  Among his 16 patents, besides the floating beam plow, was the tractor mounted unloading scoop.

He partnered with a small company in Wahpeton and ended up major share-holder and director of engineering of WilRich, Inc. in 1965, and designed and produced a line of agricultural products.  At WilRich, some of his products were the Easy-Trol seed and fertilizer drill-fill system, Flex-Point chisel plow, pickup box Tool Toter and fuel service center, heavy duty field cultivator, a new mechanical reset mold board plow and one of the first no-till airseeders.  Quanbeck has received the GNDA Science and Industry Award, the NDSU Harvest Bowl Award, the National Agri-Marketing Association Marketer of the Year Award as well as many other awards.  Science and Industry Award, the NDSU Harvest Bowl Award, the National Agri-Marketing Association Marketer of the Year Award as well as many other awards.

Year Inducted: 2006