Old tractors get a new life

Long-time farmer Alf Pinkerton is dedicated to giving old tractors back their youth.

The most recent acquisition, a 1928 American farm tractor, was a “complete wreck” on its way to the scrap merchant until Mr Pinkerton stepped in.

One year since he bought the old girl, it is fully restored and proudly displayed at the Fieldays Waikato Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club heritage site.

The restoration took around 300 hours but Mr Pinkerton said it’s an enjoyable way for him to keep busy now he’s retired and living in Hamilton.

“Some people collect stamps, I collect vintage machinery.”

Mr Pinkerton said it’s a very rare piece of farm machinery.

“It is from the period when farmers were starting to change from horses to tractors.”

He said restoring tractors and vintage farm machinery is a bit like doing a jig-saw puzzle.

Mr Pinkerton, who has been to more than 40 Fieldays, also has seven stationary motors on display he built from scratch.

He said the stationary motors are like a slice of farming history from before milking sheds had electricity.

Mr Pinkerton’s tractor is on display with 37 others this Fieldays. There will also be a vintage tractor parade daily at 10am.

Co-ordinator of the Waikato Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club Michael Bent said it is the most tractors they’ve ever had.

The club, which has around 200 members, meets monthly and attends Fieldays every year.

Mr Bent said, “It’s a good chance for us to get together and lie about all the things we think we did in our youth.”