Jakeb Klein, 6, from Kulpi, was making the most of the show … he entered his Massey Ferguson pedal tractor in the grand parade as well as testing it on the balance (and probably also won the slow tractor race!); the mini machine also comes with its own plough, trailer and stick rake attachments

September 20, 2023

The focus at the huge Kingaroy vintage machinery rally last weekend was on the centenary of the International Harvester / McCormick / Farmall family, but there were plenty of other brands also turning heads.

A crowd favourite was the very rare 1988 Bicentennial Mack Superliner, of which only 16 were built.

The dark green and gold “Governor Phillip” starred in the grand parade on Saturday afternoon.

The Kingaroy & District Vintage Machinery Club’s grounds, near Kingaroy Airport, were filled with trucks, tractors and classic cars for the 2023 rally.

There were plenty of attractions for visitors to enjoy across the two days, including demonstrations of old farming skills such as running belt-driven equipment, ploughing, corn-threshing and hay-baling.

Stationary engines chugged away in their own “engine alley”.

There were slow tractor races in the arena as well as the always-popular tractor pulls, where tractors pull a weighted sled down a course.

The further each tractor goes, the further the weight shifts forward, making the job even harder.

Last year the club hosted the Queensland Heritage Rally which attracted a record number of displays and visitors.

When southburnett.com.au checked in on Saturday afternoon, organisers were very pleased as there had already been about 500 people through the gate, about the same as for last year’s State event.

All up, there were 155 tractors and 38 trucks on display this year, with more than 120 entries in the Grand Parade.

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Acting Mayor Gavin Jones and Cr Jane Erkens with Len Gray and John Koczorowski, both from Nanango, who were admiring the pig being cooked on the spit
Peter Maguire, from Bundaberg, with his “Calf Dozer”, a 1949 Aveling Barford built in the UK which he has owned for 25 years
A handy trailer was helping people get around the large display grounds
Thornleigh Black and his son Lee, from Kingaroy, were taking a short break, resting on a hay bale
The tractor pulling competition isn’t just for men … this Nuffield slayed the field on Saturday afternoon
Bernie Pearson, from Moranbah, with his Farmall on the balance

The tractor pull is always popular … the tractors pull a weighted sled along a track as far as they can

Volunteers Kylie Birch and Danielle Welch were helping out in the main office
There were more marques than just Farmalls and Internationals … this Renault was also turning heads
A line-up of Ferguson tractors owned by local club members

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Saturday Parade

Some of the highlights from the 121-vehicle parade on Saturday afternoon …

There were old and less-old cars, trucks and tractors of every shape and size, but with a strong contingent of International Harvester, Farmall and McCormick machinery.

  

 

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