Jason Smelser of Smelser & Haer Welding, Fabrication and Repairs works on a steel trailer at the business at 16053 Antler Road, Craig. Smelser and Chris Haer bring over 50 years combined experience to the business. (Sheri Wright photo)
By Sheri Wright, Mound City News
For many years, people in Holt and Atchison counties in Missouri and Richardson County in Nebraska have heard about and/or used the great services of Chris Haer for welding and fabrication on farm equipment and much more. In the past two years, Jason Smelser has joined Haer in the business and added “repairs” to the list of services offered. Between the two men, over 50 years of experience can help customers with their many needs.
Haer and his wife, Bonita, live outside of Craig, Missouri. He has been a noted welder and fabricator for many years, including many years at the local John Deere business in Mound City. Haer joined forces with Jason Smelser to offer many services at the Smelser & Haer shop at 16053 Antler Road, west of Craig.
Smelser and his wife, Emily (Showalter), and their children, Zane, Reid, and Paige, live outside of Craig. Emily is going to homeschool their children this year. The family moved back to the area after living for several years in Colorado where Smelser worked on a ranch. Smelser credits his work experience and ethics to the fact that, “I grew up very poor in Oskaloosa, Kansas, and we had to fix everything we had.” He was the first in his family to graduate from college. Smelser earned a degree in Animal Science from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas, by paying his own way. “I have come back to go into business with Chris because I know there is a real need of mainly small engines,” he added.
Smelser and Haer work with all the welding, fabrication and repair needs in the area at their shop and with mobile services. The many services include: welding and fabrication including stick, wire and tungsten inert gas (TIG) which offers greater weld strength and better aesthetics and is a precise and versatile process used to create high-quality welds; cast iron repair; auger hard facing and reflighting; trailer repair and rebuild; flatbed builds; hydraulic cylinder repair, bearing replacement; and pre-harvest combine inspection – specializing in Walker machines.
Other mechanical repairs offered at the business are: tractor clutch and torque amplifier (TA); carburetor cleaning and rebuilds; small engines; all-terrain vehicles (ATVs); four-wheelers; utility task vehicles (UTVs); side-by-sides; golf carts; dirt bikes, chainsaws; and more.
Smelser adds that the business will service equipment that comes in green, red, blue or any other color. “I feel it is so necessary for small communities to stay viable through local businesses,” Smelser said. “Come join Chris and me in adding to the area communities’ success.” Smelser can be reached at 970-520-8795 and Haer can be reached at 660-572-0886.
