Updated Feb. 19, 2018

Big Equipment is back to operating, and looking to expand. Owner Ron Harmon told The Havre Daily News that while he was unsure after the fire whether Big Equipment would be able to meet all of its spring deliver commitments, now he confident the dealership will be able to do so.

Big Equipment is being temporarily operated out of three locations. Harmon has rented a space at 220 2nd St. in the Atrium Mall Annex for his office workers.

Big Equipment is temporarily servicing machines out of the Bibeau's Compressor Service at 810 24th Ave. East.

Harmon is also in the process of purchasing The Storm Water Construction Co. building west of Havre where the rebuilding and customizing of tractors is taking place.

In addition to selling Versatile and SeedMaster equipment, the dealership rebuilds and restores Big Bud tractors and serves as the national and international parts warehouse for Big Bud tractors.

Big Equipment is looking to buy Big Bud tractors and parts. If you are interested in selling your Big Bud or have parts available, contact Heather Winter at 406-399-1511.

Big Equipment Co., a shortline dealer in West Havre, Mont., caught fire on Christmas Eve. The fire erupted at the 38,000 square foot facility around 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Ron Harmon, owner of Big Equipment, told the Great Falls Tribune.

Besides losing the H-shaped facility that includes north and south shops with a large parts area in between the two, one combine and several tractors were lost in the fire. The dealership closed at noon on Dec. 22 and it’s unclear as to what caused the fire.

Harmon described the damage as a total loss. “Big Equipment Company will continue and move forward. We have insurance to cover our employees’ wages for a number of months. We also have insurance to cover our losses. We will be in contact with all of our employees in the near future. We would like to thank all of the first responders and all that have reached out to us during this difficult time,” the dealership said on its Facebook page.