For many people, one of the pleasures of growing up in the south was the experience of going to an antique tractor show.
The shiny, colorful tractors are always a treat to the eye and a reminder of our agricultural heritage in the area.
The William “Bill” Cherry Agricultural Exposition Center will host its Antique Tractor Show Friday and Saturday. The show will run both days from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Antique Tractor Show is an annual event for the Expo Center, where it brings out a loyal local crowd each time it rolls around.
Members of the Purchase Area Antique Tractor Club will be there showing off their tractors, along with many out of town owners and other local tractor enthusiasts. Becky Ballard, building manager of the Expo Center, explained what spectators can expect to see in the show this year.
“There will be many different brands, ages and sizes of antique tractors at the show, including John Deeres, Allis Chalmers, Internationals, Olivers, Massey Fergusons, Fords and more,” Ballard said.
Antique tractor shows are widely considered to be important for preserving the history of agriculture.
Ask a local farmer, farming isn’t an easy job to do. And by looking at some of these tractors, spectators will be able to tell it used to be a bigger struggle.
The process of restoring a tractor is as tedious as restoring car, Ballard said.
According to Farm Collector Gas Engine magazine, tractor restoration is a tricky project to pull off.
“It is critical to having a successful restoration to have the ability to look at a part, understand how it functions and anticipate the problems for it and how to correct it,” said Harvey Hamilton, owner of Tired Iron Restoration in Oakville, Wash.
And for many, it is also a costly venture.
“Budget about an additional $1,000 for little surprises that happen when you are taking the tractor apart,” Hamilton said.
According to an ABC Channel 20 report on a man who restores antique cars and tractors for a living in Raymond Ill., tractors present some unique challenges when you restore them.
“Most of the tractor is seen; even the engine is there in wide open. You walk up, and you can see the engine and all the parts. Everything is exposed, so you really got to detail them out real nice,” said Russell Mayes, owner of Mayes Antique Tractors in Raymond, Ill.
The hard work of every tractor owner will be displayed this Friday and Saturday for all to see at the Expo Center.
Story by Taylor Inman, Staff writer