ABOUT US: FOSTERING THE FUTURE OF FARMING

March 31st, 1973: The First Day of a New Era

Foster-owned West Hills Tractor opened its doors the day before April Fool’s Day—an ironic twist for a pair of brothers dead serious about success. And succeed they did. In their first business year, they doubled total sales. The first sale on the books was a trade-in of a Ford 8N for a prestine 1972 Ford 3000 to Mr. Cox of Kingsport, Tennessee. Many years later, the Cox family stands as a proud partner of West Hills Tractor, with the family still owning their Ford 3000 and several other New Holland tractors at their operation. Although success was on the horizon, progress still demanded change.

In week one, the entire service department was let go—with an offer to earn back their roles. The once-sacred television perched on the parts counter? Moved to the break room where it belonged. A bookkeeper, fond of a leisurely 9:30 a.m. start and 3 p.m. exit, was informed that the workday now began at 8 and ended at 5. She promptly resigned.

Through the dust and drive, a few legacy voices remained and a few joined. William Monk, affectionately known as “The Parts Man,” chose to stay, serving faithfully until his retirement in the late 1990s. David "Papaw" Shelton, who worked for a rival dealership, was brought on the team as the primary delivery driver, a position he served honorably and proudly until his passing in 2021. His son, Mike Shelton, fills his boots with no mistep as our Parts, Service, & Sales Representative with 30 years of service.

The Legacy Continues

By 1982, Jimmy had traded tractors for cows, departing for the dairy business. As the next generation emerged, Mark and Tim Foster, sons of Jerry, started their West Hills journey the old-fashioned way—on the steam pad, after school, still in their middle school clothes. Today, Tim serves as President. After a couragous battle with an extended illness, Mark passed away in 2021. Mark was co-owner and Vice President of West Hills Tractor, a long-time cattle farmer, avid outdoorsman, and most importantly a loving husband, father, brother, and son to his family. In 1994, following Monk’s retirement, Rob Proffitt stepped in as Parts Manager, a title he still proudly holds. In recent years, the legacy has only deepened, as more members of the Foster family—including sons, nephews, in-laws, and others—have joined the cause, bringing fresh energy and a shared sense of purpose to the family business.

The Changing Machines, The Constant Mission

West Hills Tractor has always been more than a dealership—it’s a symbol of evolution. In 1974, the company added Gehl equipment, phasing it out in 1985 when they acquired New Holland inventory from Sander’s Equipment in Johnson City. A year later, Ford and New Holland merged, joining inventories in Jonesborough and creating a new era of product synergy.

Today, the dealership stands proud as a full-line provider of New Holland and Case IH equipment, backed by smaller but mighty brands like Alamo, Bush Hog, Construction Attachments, Woods, and more.
 

Contact Us

Call us at (423) 753-4621 or come by West Hills Tractor today to experience our superior service and selection! We look forward to serving you!