By Faith Railey, 2026 Sunbelt Ag Expo Social Media Intern
At the Sunbelt Ag Expo, visitors see not only new innovative agricultural technology but also the classics that came before. Standing the test of time, these antique tractors are not just for display. Each day, these machines pull heavy loads in a simple contest of power.
At the expo, demonstrations and exhibitors showcase the newest equipment farmers can implement on their operation, but many producers do not always use all of the new machines. Tractors, among other equipment, are passed down from one generation to the next on the farm. The saying “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” can save operations money.
These antique tractors prove just that. The newer equipment is great, but time-honored tractors handed down to the next generation can get the job done too. On the pull track of the Expo, visitors can sit in the stands as tractors are hooked to a sled loaded with weights. The tractors work to their limits, pulling the weight as far down the track as possible, and the winner is determined by distance pulled, weight, and class.
Tractors ranging from John Deere to Ford, in numerous model years and including restored or unusual ones, pull throughout the three-day Expo. Throughout the day, these same antique tractors are lined up on display beside the pull track between show times so that visitors can get a closer look. With exhibitors nearby, any questions can be answered.
What is unique about these classic pieces of equipment is the memories many visitors recall when seeing them. An object can sometimes remind a person of a memory or a loved one, and the same is true of tractors. Looking at an antique tractor may bring back memories of a father, grandfather, or grandmother working on the farm with the same piece of equipment.
Visitors going to the Expo can take in all the new, innovative equipment that helps producers run more eco-friendly, effective, and efficient operations. Those who want to take a seat and see the tractors that came before, which were once the newest innovative equipment on the market, stop by the antique tractor pull.
For some, the pull is a trip down memory lane, while others can make memories in the stands with the people they came with. The roar of the engines and the smell of diesel and dirt are signs of a classic expo show.
