Vintage tractor's jump to life for Crank Up Day

The Tauranga Vintage Machinery Club will showcase days of yesteryear on Sunday with its annual Crank Up Day.

Former president Eric Green says it was the perfect opportunity for families and fellow enthusiasts to enjoy experiences from a bygone era.

There would be live demonstrations, entertainment and activities for spectators, which attracted hundreds of people last year.

"There will be a good line-up of old engines and tractors with some over 100 years old."
Eric credited members and current president Larry Williams for their continued enthusiasm about the event and said they would be on hand to talk to members of the public about their collections.

Other displays would feature milking machines and separators while representatives from the Katikati museum "will be there with a few items used around the home in the early days that could turn butter into fresh cream".

A new activity was a 'Tug of War', Eric says, where a tractor would go in one direction against people power, pulling it the other way.

"One man can pull about the equivalent of four horse power so 20 should walk away with a small Ferguson tractor and we are hoping people will join in," he says.

Meanwhile, crowd favourites like free hay and gig rides would be run throughout the day alongside sheep shearing and Mike Cooper on his mighty D9 Caterpillar.

At the moment the club had about 50 members and one of the objectives of the Crank Up Day was to encourage younger people to join its ranks.

"It will be a really fun day out for the whole family," he says.

CRANK UP DAY
Where: Hot Springs Rd, Katikati
When: Sunday, April 8 from 10am to 3pm
Entry: Gold coin donation, children free