in 1947, lyle yost created the hesston manufacturing company. the company specialized in farm equipment. the type of equipment included self-propelled windrowers and the stakhand hay harvester. in 1974, hesston company commissioned its first belt buckles, which became popular on the rodeo circuit and with collectors. in 1991, the american-based equipment manufacturer, agco corporation, bought hesston corporation. farm equipment is still manufactured in the city.