Ken Sanders’ 1970-era Muir-Hill 101 tractor is big, bright and beautiful – and it’s heading into the city tomorrow to the Vintage Family Fun Day and Crank Up at Tauranga Racecourse.

Hosted by Tauranga Vintage Machinery Club from 10am-4pm, event-goers can expect to enjoy hands-on country-flavoured activities and entertainment plus loads of farm tractors, equipment and stationary engine displays.

Event highlights would include tractor parades, hayrides on the back of trailer pulled by a tractor, sledge rides, vintage bus rides, a special display of cars by the Shifters Hot Rod Club, a haymaking display, plus a separate free children’s play area where they can play in hay and with water!

“We also run a Tractor Train that pulls little barrel-made carriages – this is a favourite of the kids,” said Tauranga Vintage Machinery Club chairman John Doull. “We know many young ones love tractos machinery so we want them to enjoy our passion for them as well.”

More townies!

Club member Larry Williams said this is the second time they’ve taken over the Tauranga Racecourse in Greerton to get more townies – young and old alike – to enjoy it.

“It will be a relaxed, fun-filled day of nostalgia, learning and hands-on experiences for all ages – so don’t miss out on a chance to make some beautiful memories!”

To keep tummies full, a range food trucks and market stalls will also be on-site. “We want people to step back in time and enjoy a full day of old-fashioned fun for the whole family,” Doull said.

Sanders said he was excited to bring along his newly-renovated Muir-Hill, because he enjoyed meeting and making connections with people of all ages who take an interest in the machine.

He purchased the tractor 20 years ago but only recently gave the old girl a good spruce up since he’s retired and has more time on his hands.

“The bright yellow – which I’ve re-painted her – is her true colour. She was what I call a Ministry of Works orange.”

Sanders had also repaired the dropbox and replaced the original gearbox. “I just thought it would make a fun tractor, so why not?”

Now that the Muir-Hill was going properly and looking the part, Sanders wants to take it to more shows – like the Crank Up tomorrow. “At the shows, people talk me about what they know of the tractors and the little ones love to climb on and get behind the steering wheel.”

The connections

Katikati man and long-time TVMC member John Brown also like the connections he makes, the mechanical knowledge he learns and the early New Zealand history he shares when he displays his stationary engines.

“This engine here is a very early engine,” said Brown, pointing towards a machine spitting and puffing as The Weekend Sun spoke to him recently at Katikati A&P Show.

“It was manufactured by the Associated Manufacturers Co in the USA. It originally came from Gisborne. I bought it off an old guy who told me his dad had it for sawing firewood.”

Brown had given it a clean-up, put a muffler on and sorted the fuel system. “I’ve kept it original, just how it was [when it was made] however, I have put wheels on it to make it easier to move around.”

Asked what the engine would have been for in the early days, Brown said it would have powered any piece of equipment that needed electricity.

“It would be from the 1915-1920 period. Way back in those days there wasn’t electricity everywhere. That’s how all these engines came about. If you were on a farm and need to pump water, they’d have used an engine like this as an electricity source.”

Annual fundraiser

Doull said the Crank Up was the club’s major annual fundraiser. “It’s our opportunity once-a-year to raise money for the club – and all of our gear will be on display – both stationary and moving – and at the same time we’re entertaining the crowd, so it’s two-fold for us.”

The Vintage Family Fun Day and Crank Up is at Tauranga Racecourse tomorrow, March 7, from 10am-4pm. Entry is $10 per adult, and children aged under 10 gain free entry. “Plus, one lucky event attendee will win a remote-controlled ride-on tractor to take home.”

Find out more on the Tauranga Vintage Machinery Club’s Facebook page.