What is a show tractor? The simple answer is anything (tractor wise) in running/operating condition that someone takes to
a tractor/machinery show to display for others to see. You will see everything from running original condition units to over restored trailer queens, to units in their "work clothes".
With that said, most display tractors have been restored (I don't like to use that word because it has a different meaning to different people) or refurbished (my prefered term), normally by the owner (but sometimes by a pro), to the best of that owners ability and means. We all know that everyone does not have same skills and ability when it comes to refurbishing a tractor, but all those owners are just as proud of their finnished tractor as the person that hired a pro to do theirs. Some are true "trailer queens" that are never used or driven, not even to put them on or off a trailer, others are used carefully, almost daily, or driven in parades ect. Some are painted with rattle cans, some are painted with the latest "high tec super duper paint" that cost more than the tractor did. As someone once said, you only have to please yourself so it's all in what the owner likes.
I live in an older subdivision the city, and don't have a lot of room to store many tractors, so they come and go (think there is 11 here right now). I cut my grass with a new Zero Turn because I'm lazy, and really don't use any of my tractors very much, but I am not afraid to use them. I have hauled them all around the US from Iowa to the New England states and about every place in between. I have no idea how many Cub Cadets I have owned over the years, but it is a lot (over 30 Originals). I enjoy finding the rare ones, refurbishing it, taking it to a few shows, then selling it, and start hunting for another one to do. I use Case IH Federal Yellow paint and a 901 white match from Nasons (Dupont) when I can't find NOS IH 901 white (I have a gallon can of it at present), because to me that looks more like what they were painted originally. Some people like the new high tec paint, it looks pretty, but that is not what the tractor looked when it left the Louisville Plant. When someone tells me they "restored" their Cub Cadet and it is perfect, I ask where the paint runs are and how many? I get some strange looks as they say none, but they sure had them when they were new.
So what is a show tractor? In my opinion, it is any tractor that the owner is proud of and displays for others to see and enjoy.
a tractor/machinery show to display for others to see. You will see everything from running original condition units to over restored trailer queens, to units in their "work clothes".
With that said, most display tractors have been restored (I don't like to use that word because it has a different meaning to different people) or refurbished (my prefered term), normally by the owner (but sometimes by a pro), to the best of that owners ability and means. We all know that everyone does not have same skills and ability when it comes to refurbishing a tractor, but all those owners are just as proud of their finnished tractor as the person that hired a pro to do theirs. Some are true "trailer queens" that are never used or driven, not even to put them on or off a trailer, others are used carefully, almost daily, or driven in parades ect. Some are painted with rattle cans, some are painted with the latest "high tec super duper paint" that cost more than the tractor did. As someone once said, you only have to please yourself so it's all in what the owner likes.
I live in an older subdivision the city, and don't have a lot of room to store many tractors, so they come and go (think there is 11 here right now). I cut my grass with a new Zero Turn because I'm lazy, and really don't use any of my tractors very much, but I am not afraid to use them. I have hauled them all around the US from Iowa to the New England states and about every place in between. I have no idea how many Cub Cadets I have owned over the years, but it is a lot (over 30 Originals). I enjoy finding the rare ones, refurbishing it, taking it to a few shows, then selling it, and start hunting for another one to do. I use Case IH Federal Yellow paint and a 901 white match from Nasons (Dupont) when I can't find NOS IH 901 white (I have a gallon can of it at present), because to me that looks more like what they were painted originally. Some people like the new high tec paint, it looks pretty, but that is not what the tractor looked when it left the Louisville Plant. When someone tells me they "restored" their Cub Cadet and it is perfect, I ask where the paint runs are and how many? I get some strange looks as they say none, but they sure had them when they were new.
So what is a show tractor? In my opinion, it is any tractor that the owner is proud of and displays for others to see and enjoy.
