May 28, 2009 - Two years ago, David Cardile, of Fannin County, saw the opportunity to build a much-needed tractor and parts dealership in the Bonham area. His vision for the store was anything but ordinary.
When Cardile decided to build what would eventually be known as Tractor City, he planned the building design to be as energy-efficient and self-sustaining as possible.
“Our building is completely green from the ground up,” said Cardile. “Everything used to construct the building was reused from a renewable source. The foundation was made from 80 percent Portland cement and 20 percent fly ash. Fly ash is the by-product of coal after it is burned. The steel frame of the building was made from 1,386 melted down car motors that were recycled back into steel. The insulation in the building is soy, watermelon and cantaloupe rinds. The carpet was made from recycled glass, and is held down by glue made from peach rinds.”
Cardile is proud of his design. While tracking down materials for the building took some additional time, he said finding what was needed wasn’t impossible.
“When I started to design the building, I called around and did a little research to find out where I could get the most economically friendly and recyclable materials from,” he said. “The materials are out there to be able to build a completely green facility, it just takes time to find them. All of the products used to make this building, are primarily from the raw materials farmers and ranchers produce.”
Cardile said the energy used for the building is independent, as well as efficient.
“When we were designing, we added three wind turbines to produce electricity for the building,” he recalled. “Our 60-foot wind turbines produce enough electricity for our building, and additional electricity that we sell back to the local community. Our roof is made from white solar panels, which reflect sunlight instead of absorbing. Atop the roof, we also have a rainwater collection system that gathers 5,700 gallons of water per one-inch of rainwater. The water is collected from the roof and stored in a 20,000 gallon tank below ground.”
Water isn’t the only thing the ground under Tractor City is storing. Heating and cooling energy also lie below.
“Our heating and cooling comes from the ground as well. We use a geothermal system with 250-foot deep wells to cycle the air from the building, into the ground and the back to the building. We have only had to turn the heater on only a few times and we rarely have to turn the A/C on either. Much of our heating and cooling is self-sustaining, primarily because of the insulation and triple-pane, gas-filled windows. The windows allow for sunlight to pass through, or light, but (does not) enable heat to pass. All of our ‘green’ systems would not work if it wasn’t for the insulation and energy efficient windows.”
While the development of the building was time-consuming, today, Tractor City not only sells new tractors, it is a place for the local farmer and rancher to get all their needs met under one roof, whether it’s tractor parts, service, feed, fencing or consulting.
“In the last 12 years, there really hasn’t been a place in Bonham for farmers and ranchers to get the things they need,” said Cardile. “We are licensed to sell brand new Massey Ferguson tractors, along with a long line of related implements. We also sell used tractors, some of which are from the 30s and 40s. Whether it is a new or old tractor, we service and sell parts for all makes and models.”
In addition, Cardile said the company will go to great lengths to meet its customers’ needs.
“If we don’t have it or can’t get it, we will make it ourselves,” he explained. “We have invested in machinery to be able to bend, press, mold or drill metal and other materials to make what our customers need. Some of the old hoods and gas tanks for old tractors are not made anymore, so we saw the need to have the equipment to build or refurbish old equipment.”
Tractor City not only sells and services tractors, they also carry a full line of feed and ranch products.
“Along with having a place for farmers and ranchers to buy equipment or getting their equipment serviced, I also saw the need for us to carry feed and other supplies as well. We carry the full line of Big V livestock feed, whether it is for cattle, horses, chickens, goats or pigs.”
As business booms at Tractor City, Cardile is satisfied with his decision to invest the time needed to build an environmentally-friendly building. In fact, his future plans include more of the same.
Cardile said the cost to build a completely green building is about the same as building a less energy-efficient, traditional building. He has plans to build another store, at a different location, where their services are needed as well. If he decides to build a new store, it will be of the same design.
