Gear

Minn Kota: an inside look

See Americans at work making trolling motors.

Posted on
<p><span style=
Bassmaster.com recently visited the Minn Kota plant in Mankato, Minn. Here’s an inside look at how Minn Kotas are made. 
These are armatures that do most of the heavy lifting in your trolling motor. When complete, they have copper wire spooled all around and through them.
This machine is amazing to see in action. It winds the copper wire from a giant roll (lower left in the plastic) onto the armature.
This machine is amazing to see in action. It winds the copper wire from a giant roll (lower left in the plastic) onto the armature.
Here are some armatures before they head out to the production floor.
Here are some armatures before they head out to the production floor.
These workers are attaching the bulk of the head onto the front bit or a Fortrex, which holds the transducer. Each and every unit is tested before it leaves the plant.
These workers are attaching the bulk of the head onto the front bit or a Fortrex, which holds the transducer. Each and every unit is tested before it leaves the plant.
Here are the
Here are the “guts” of some Talons.
Minn Kota Pro Staff Manager Tim Price checks out some cips that go to a Cannon downrigger.
Minn Kota Pro Staff Manager Tim Price checks out some cips that go to a Cannon downrigger.
Here are some transom-mount trolling motors that are just about complete.
Here are some transom-mount trolling motors that are just about complete.
Here a worker inspects the innards of the housing.
Here a worker inspects the innards of the housing.
This guy is threading the wires through a shaft before attaching it to the head.
This guy is threading the wires through a shaft before attaching it to the head.
After a liberal application of sealant, this machine tightens the shaft in place.
After a liberal application of sealant, this machine tightens the shaft in place.
Everywhere you look in the Minn Kota factory, you see Americans making American products.
Everywhere you look in the Minn Kota factory, you see Americans making American products.
Here a worker inspects the famous
Here a worker inspects the famous “unbreakable” shaft.
This gal is putting the finishing touches on this transom-mount motor.
This gal is putting the finishing touches on this transom-mount motor.
The plant is divided into cells. Each cell does a different job. Think of it as an assembly line broken into more manageable bits.
The plant is divided into cells. Each cell does a different job. Think of it as an assembly line broken into more manageable bits.
Here workers assemble foot pedals.
Here workers assemble foot pedals.
This employee is dealing with wires.
This employee is dealing with wires.
Here are a couple cells.
Here are a couple cells.
And a pallet of finished product, in this case 80-pound thrust Fortrex motors.
And a pallet of finished product, in this case 80-pound thrust Fortrex motors.
Look! Toyota and bass fishing run deeper than you might have imagined.
Look! Toyota and bass fishing run deeper than you might have imagined.
Guess where this crate is headed?
Guess where this crate is headed?
Here are a bunch of Edge motors.
Here are a bunch of Edge motors.
Yes, every single box has a trolling motor in it. That's a lot of motors.
Yes, every single box has a trolling motor in it. That’s a lot of motors.
Pallets of motors were everywhere in the plant.
Pallets of motors were everywhere in the plant.
This is a selection of trolling motors, Minn Kota and not, that are tested.
This is a selection of trolling motors, Minn Kota and not, that are tested.

Related