AROUND 10 years ago, Ian Ploenges received a call to exhibit his vintage engines at the Mil Lel Spring Show to save the program from disarray.
“The horse flu outbreak is how I initially became involved,” Mr Ploenges told The Border Watch ahead of the 80th Mil Lel show tomorrow.
“The Mil Lel show is predominantly a horse show, so when the horse flu hit that year they had to replace the horse events with something else.
“We had quite a large tractor exhibit, but I was probably the only one who had stationary engines.
“The display generated enough interest that I was called back the next year and I have been involved ever since.”
A member of the Mil Lel Steam and Machinery Association, Mr Ploenges has been passionate about stationary engines, vintage farm machinery and tractors since he was 16.
“I have always loved working on vintage engines and it is still something I do as a hobby today,” he said.
“The engines I’m interested in were used for farm machinery and I have restored a few old tractors too.
“There seems to be interest particularly among older farmers at the Mil Lel show.”
Mr Ploenges said this year’s show would feature a vintage hay baler display, potato harvesters and toy steam engines.
“The vintage hay baler will be our main feature,” he said.
“You need to pitchfork the hay into the machine and when the bales go through they are wrapped and hand-tied with wire. It is vastly different to the modern hay balers.
“We will have two potato harvesters – one very modern and one vintage – displayed side by side.
“We will also have vintage stationary engines including Richard Hornsby, Fairmont and Cooper engines and a Gangers rail car, which is what used to run up and down the railway line.
“Vintage tractors will be displayed – some will be restored and some will be just as they have come off the farms, but they will all be in working order.”
A 27km tractor trek circuit will leave the site at 12.30pm.
“The guys have an opportunity to take their tractors for a drive,” Mr Ploenges said.
“Faster tractors are capable of around 40kph and the slower ones will travel at 20kph.
“The terrain will be fairly rough, so it will not be a race.
“A guy is driving his Chamberlain from Casterton and another guy is driving his tractor from Naracoorte to attend.”
The 80th annual Mil Lel Spring Show starts at 8am tomorrow.
