LGM USA

About seven years ago, Carlos built his first front-end loader after receiving a huge delivery of mulch and realizing he needed something far more practical than a wheelbarrow and shovel. Starting with a basic lawnmower, he created a working loader, later refining it into a stronger, more capable version for his John Deere X570. After showing it to his local John Deere dealer, who encouraged him to make more, Carlos posted a video on YouTube. Interest came quickly.

The journey from idea to product was not simple. Carlos had to solve sourcing challenges, finding actuators and raw materials that delivered high quality at a price customers could afford. After several refinements to work out mechanical issues, he put the loader through rigorous use and eventually nicknamed it “Bambi.” Between 2019 and 2020, he sold loaders exclusively through YouTube.

Carlos’s fabrication expertise comes from decades of hands-on work. In the 1980s and 1990s, he blueprinted DC motors for slot car racing and designed his own chassis, building a deep foundation in precision engineering. His interest in fabrication continued as he rebuilt several street rods, including a 1927 Ford roadster and a 1937 Ford, from the frame up. By 2000, he opened his first fabrication shop, expanding it in 2003 and again in 2009 as demand for his craftsmanship grew.

In 2021, Dan, an electrical engineer with an MBA, purchased a John Deere X590 to maintain his long driveway and manage his two and a half acre property. While searching for a small loader that would work with his tractor, he discovered Carlos’s creation through a forum post and reached out. Carlos sold him a “Little Green Monster,” the name he used at the time. No one had successfully upgraded the control system to a true variable speed joystick, so with his electrical engineering background, Dan took on the challenge. After many iterations and ongoing collaboration with Carlos, he developed the first version of what is now known as the Joystick Kit.

Seeing how well their skills complemented each other — Carlos with design and fabrication, Dan with electrical engineering and business strategy — they decided to combine forces. In 2022, they officially founded LGM USA. The initials stand for Little Green Monster.

The early years came with hurdles. They navigated post COVID supply chain challenges, developed a consumer friendly joystick kit, and refined the loader design using customer feedback. After launching the official website to simplify ordering, they made a major leap in late 2023 by partnering with a contract manufacturer with large scale fabrication capabilities, significantly improving production consistency. That same year, they welcomed their first full time employee.

Today, LGM USA continues to grow, building attachments and equipment that help homeowners do their own property work — faster, easier, and with the tractor they already own.