Question about tractor shows

Let me give a little background info that might help you all understand why I am asking the question.

I didn"t grow up on a farm, don"t live on one now and for the most part have never been on one BUT I really like old tractors. Not sure why except it is motorized and rolls on 4 wheels. I am a geniune car nut. I restore antique cars for a hobby and the family and I go all over the country showing them. We have been fortuante to win a lot fo shows but now we are sort of burned out of the car shows. I have two kids (a 10 year old son adn a 15 year old daughter) who loves the hobby almost as much as I do. They have both expressed a like for antique tractors as well so I have been looking around and found I can buy tractors already restored for probably less than it would cost me to restore it myself. I am considering buying them both an antique tractor - probably something like a Farmall Cub or somethign small like that with a wide front end so they could actually drive it in parades, etc. I am a little concerned about putting inexperienced youngsters on a tricycle front end tractor.

So anyway - to my question. If we do indeed buy tractors, we will want to attend tractor shows. Now granted, I know nothing about them thus the question. From what little I have gained from limited internet research, they are really differnet from a car show, especially in judging, etc. It appears most do not judge the tractors so it is a display only type show. I am okay with that since I am basically over the competitiveness of winning. The question I have is what goes on at shows. Are tractors put in "classes" or do they just park in order of arrival? What activities take place that would keep two youngsters involved during the day? Since I know nothign abotu farming, am I going to ahve anythig in common with any of the other participants? (I am a very social person so I don"t really want to sit there "alone" during the show since I have nothing in common with these folks (other than I have an old tractor).

Hoep these questions make sense. I don"t want ot spend a lot fo money on old tractors if we aren"t going to enjoy showing them since I would otherwise have no use (i.e. farm work) for them.

Thanks

BOB

Some shows will have you park in rows with other tractors that are the same make as yours but most I attend just let you park them in a row where ever you would like.

There are working displays such as lumber sawing, plowing, blacksmithing, quilting,music shows, earthmoving, etc... to keep kids busy watching during the day.

I go to several shows a year most of them by myself as not many of my friends are into old tractors like I am and I never have a problem finding people to socialize with. I think some of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet hang out at tractor shows.

Bob, good idea about the Farmall Cub,(A, B, or Allis-Chalmers B). I belong to the "Southern Il Antique Power Club" in Salem, Il. We have a church service, tracror pull, threshing, baling, small engines, and other displays. Ours is a 3 day show with a lot of visiting. A lot of the tractors are not restored(some don"t run), and you don"t even need a tractor. I own a lawn tractor. Most shows are open to the public, so check around your area.

Many tractor shows have web sites with lots of pictures of past shows, schedules, rules, and prizes if any.

Look (with google) for Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Rollag MN, Lake Itasca MN, LeSueur, MN and just for "pioneer power shows" that will include steam tractors also. Look for "old thresher's reunions" or just "old threshers". I'm most familiar with Iowa and Minnesota shows, but there are shows all over the US and that search on pioneer power shows or threshers will get lists of them by state or date. Sometimes the list will be shows a vendor plans to attend or shows that belong to an association like "Early Engines." Many a show will feature one brand each year to draw in more of that make, but generally will show lots of others. LeSueur last year had hundreds of Farmall M, but two or three times as many other assorted brands. Plus machinery, one of a kind tractors, threshing, flea markets or auctions, food, camping.. Lake Itasca has a strong contingent of Sterling engines.

Gerald J.

Tractor shows can be fun for all, but I'd be thinking of ways your youngsters can use the tractors also. There's nothing like putting one of these old machines to work. Even if it's pulling a trailer load of pumpkins, etc.

Glenn F.

You are correct in that a judging competition almost never occurs at antique tractor shows. They are more about socializing and demonstrations of the old equipment.

Many clubs have a "plow day" or similar event where you can put the old tractor to work a little. Antique tractor pulls are also common at many shows. Many of the shows also have a dinner or other event specifically for exhibitors, which is a great way to meet other people with old tractors.

Old lawn/garden tractors are also drawing increasing interest. They are easier to work on and store due to the small size. You can also get a couple on a trailer, letting each of the kids have their own tractor. You may even find a use for those around the house.

As far as the tricycle tractors, they are fairly stable, not a major tipover hazard if operated reasonably. there are some who will tell you that they're as stable as a WFE. Have operated both types (many hours) and have never had any even close tip over problems.

Bob,
If I were you, I'd make a point to go to some tractor/threshing type shows in your area this summer and check it out. Better yet, drive your restored car to one, most, if not all, have a section for classic cars. Sounds like you are a person who likes to talk "shop", strike up a conversation with others there. One thing I like about tractors is there really is no compitation against one another. Some tractors are restored to origial by professionals, but most are done by the owners and are not perfect, some right out of the field, and some are original. Everyone there has one thing in common-they all love old iron!.
As far as buying tractors for your children to drive in parades, that can work. Keep them shedded though, It will save a lot of work in the future. Your children must realize one thing-tractors are not toys, they can not be driven like an ATV.
Brian(MN)

There is not near the " snobbery" in tractor shows as car shows. You will enjoy them but if that's all you do with them you will get bored eventually. Build or buy a hayride wagon to go with them so you DO have a use for them and the whole family and friends can also enjoy it. Enter them in the "slow" races that most shows have. If you have the competitive spirit or the kids do , enter tractor pulls in the light-weight antique classes.Create things to do with them! A 15 yr old girl that likes tractors will meet some pretty nice tractor loving guys with their head on straight , no drugs and a good work ethic. Thay alone would be worth getting into the tractor world. She could end up with some city "dude" with muscles on the wrong side of his arms and "dunlop disease" that can't even spell "tractor"!

I too was into cars but have always been around farms. Most of the guys who show tractors either have one owned in the family or one like one that was owned by the family, or they have one that suits the need they use it for. I can say one thing, JUDGING WILL KILL the fun of tractor shows!!!! If you go to one and watch, the real shiney ones will draw a few folks over to look, but the good running ol crusty's will have a crowd. Especially if you get them out and pull a plow or a people moving wagon instead of letting them sit there looking crusty or shiney depending on the case. I don't clean mine up before they go to a show. I have had more people say "Hey, look at this one, It has dirt on it, he still uses that one" Just get an original and have fun, that is what it is all about.

Jump in with both feet!!! you won't be disappointed I used to show cars and changed over to tractors. Something about investing all the time and money to purchase and fix up an old car and then they wanted me to pay the show to exhibit! With tractors there are no lost titles, no inspections, no registering with the state every year. And the tractor people are just wonderful. Most shows, exhibitors are allowed in free which makes more sence to me as I am helping to "make" the show. Its good clean fun!

Bob,
I would like to echo many of the comments already mentioned. Most shows do not judge the tractors. It is more for exihibition and demonstration than competition. They try to provide a wide variety of activities that go on throughout the day. Some activities are tractor related such as slow tractor races, pushing a barrel, balance beam, backing a wagon, etc. These generally demonstrate the capabilities of the tractor and the skill of the driver. However, everybody is welcome to participate. Our club does not award prizes other than announcing the winner. Other activities are more demonstrative in nature such as the saw mill, grist mill, tractor pulls, horse pulls, parade, threshing, plowing, making candles and soap, weaving and the list goes on. Our local show also includes horses and antique cars and trucks. Again, no judging. Exhibiting equipment with the tractors is becoming a lot more common. To round it out, a flea market, food vendors and musical entertainment are provided.

One item to note is that at a lot of shows require each tractor operator to have a drivers license or be accompanied by someone with a license when operating the tractor near spectators. This is generally required by the show's insurance provider. I expect the rule is relaxed for the tractor activities because they are usually held in an arena type setting with barriers protecting the spectators. And lastly, I generally find I do not have enough time to talk to everybody rather than not having anyone to socialize with. From other members of the club to complete strangers who have memories of using a similar piece of equipment, I set an extra chair or two under the tent and usually do not have a problem keeping them filled.

On a side note, I would consider buying an exceptional original over a totally restored tractor. I can also attest that a greater number of people will stop to look at a nice original tractor over that of a nice restored tractor. From personal experience, the most visitors I ever had was on '34 John Deere GP which I had removed the transmission cover, crankcase cover, and the head. I had one piston removed and one projecting out the end of the cylinder. People could walk up and look down into the inner workings of the tractor. Right next to it, I had a '34 GP that I had just completed restoring. Kind of a before and after exhibit. I received many nice comments on the restored tractor but the other ruled the day on gaining the interest of the crowd.

By the way, I have three children aging from 3 to 8 years of age and they love going.

Dennis