Bureau Valley: A driving force in tractor contest

MANLIUS — At 6 p.m. Wednesday, Bureau Valley High School teacher and FFA sponsor Willard Mott was glued to his computer.

“The first three teams came up, and they were from Texas, and I thought, ‘Boy, oh boy, we’re in the wrong state again,’” Mott said. “Then we hit the refresh button on the webpage again, and there our name popped up.”

For the fourth consecutive year, Mott and his students will head to Indianapolis to vie for the national title in the Chevron Delo Tractor Restoration Competition during the 83rd National FFA Convention. The students have been renovating old tractors for several years and is once again one of 12 schools across the nation selected as a finalist. As in last year’s competition, eight of the contestants are from Texas, and Bureau Valley is the only school selected from Illinois.

When the announcement was made on Wednesday, Mott said the reactions of his team members varied.

“The three sophomores were just thrilled,” he said. “One senior didn’t believe me, and he had to get online and double check."

Mott’s team consisted of three freshmen and three juniors last year. Beginning in the fall, they completely restored a 1949 Massey Harris Pony. The tractor was donated by Neil West of Bettendorf, Iowa, a member of the Atkinson Antique Engine and Tractor Association.

“It was by far in the roughest shape of any that we’ve done,” Mott said. “It looked OK from the exterior, but when we got inside, there were lots of broken parts and mouse nests.”

The restoration process is part of what the team will be judged on next month. All contestants have to present a workbook outlining the whole restoration process, from mechanical overhauls of the engine, transmission and auxiliary and ancillary systems, to the external appearance of the tractors. The finalists will present their projects during the convention on Oct. 20, and the projects will be graded on restoration process, results and documentation, as well as oral presentation and safety precautions. Awards will be presented Oct. 21.

Mott said he’s really looking forward to the competition.

“The restoration is a lot of fun, but when you get to go see and compare yourself to everyone else throughout the United States, and you know you’re one of the top 12 in the business, then it really makes you feel good about what you’re doing,” he said.