It’s Time to Go Back to School

If you were like most kids growing up, you couldn’t wait to get out of school or college. But if you’re a serious antique tractor enthusiast, there are some good reasons to go back to school. One of those is the wonderful Thresherman’s Lunch that comes with the Powers Tractor School, put on by Aumann Auctions, Inc.

Yet, there’s a lot more to be gained from attendance at the annual school than a delicious chicken or sausage lunch. Named after the legendary prairie tractor collector Dennis Powers, the Powers Tractor School is held around the middle of April each year at Aumann’s headquarters in Nokomis, Illinois, and features several classes during the one-day event.

At the Same Time as Aumann’s Auction

“It’s always held in conjunction with our pre-1930s consignment auction,” said Kurt Aumann, Aumann Auctions president. “At the same time, we have hundreds of other tractors, engines, signs, and memorabilia for future sales on display, and we’ll be running both tractors and engines during the day,” he added, noting that 2025 will be the fourth year for the event. “We found that tractor collectors are always interested in learning more about restoration techniques and maintenance. Plus, like us, they’re coming out of winter with a touch of ‘cabin fever’ and ready to get out and play with tractors.”

Aumann says they try to cover a range of topics in the tractor school program. Topics at the 2024 event included Spark! Making Sure You Have Fire in the Hole!; Steam — The Other Power Source; The 20,000 Mile Tractor; A Holy Grail Creation; and What to Look for When Buying a Tractor.

“We usually schedule at least five or six classes spread throughout the day,” Aumann continued. “Plus, we try to include several classes that apply to any era of tractors. Those include at least one class on troubleshooting of some type along with another on some sort of mechanical issue, such as carburation, magneto timing, etc. Finally, we always have some type of rescue story where someone went to great lengths to locate and restore a rare or unusual tractor.” The 2024 school featured a story on how a rare I-H 20-hp Type D Titan tractor was rescued from the Australian outback and brought back to life.

“We haven’t finished the schedule for this spring, but we’re already planning a class on plowing, which will include demonstrations here on the grounds.” Registration for the Powers Tractor School is $25 and includes lunch and a collector’s social with light food and drinks at the end of the day. The deadline for registration is usually mid-March and seating is limited.

Other Tractor Schools

The Powers Tractor School isn’t the only tractor school in existence, particularly if you are interested in steam engines. One of those is the North Iowa Steam School, held at the Heritage Farm Park in Forest City, Iowa, each year on the third weekend in May. Tuition for this year’s event, which will be held May 17–18, is $100 and includes the student handout, continental breakfast, lunch, and break refreshments.

According to Wyndham Sellers, a Heritage Park board member who oversees the event, two levels of classes are provided, a beginners class and an advanced class. The beginners class requires no prior experience and includes instruction on the care of steam boilers and engines, as well as the basic operation of steam engines. Topics on boilers will include types of boilers, basic boiler operation, safety devices, proper boiler start up and shut down procedures, how to handle emergency situations, and more.

Beginners and Advanced Steam

“The advanced class is for those students who have prior opera- tor experience and have already attended a steam school somewhere and would like to get into more detailed aspects of boiler work and engine maintenance,” Sellers explained. “As part of the course, all attendees will help prepare one or more steam traction engines for steam up. Of course, safety is always a priority, regardless of the class or level of experience.”

Although Iowa does not require a license to operate steam boilers, Sellers said Heritage Park of North Iowa has instituted its own operator licensing requirements. That’s because Iowa puts the liability related to any accidents on the show sponsor.

“To that end, a test that is like the test required by the states of Minnesota and Ohio for their Hobby Steam Engineers License will be administered at the conclusion of the seminar for attendees wishing to become a licensed Heritage Park Engineer,” Sellers said. “In addition to passing the Heritage Park Engineer’s written test, 50 hours of hands-on experience is required, and the students must demonstrate their competence by performing several steam traction engineering operating tasks.

“Heritage Park’s Steam Engineering School is also accredited by the state of Minnesota and the state of Ohio,” Sellers concluded. “Consequently, those students who successfully complete the course will be given credit for 16 hours of experience toward the 50 required hours to get a Minnesota Hobby Engineer License.”

To learn, go to this link.

Other Steam Shows

Heritage Park isn’t the only organization that hosts a steam school.

Others include:

• Midwest Old Threshers Steam School in Mount Pleasant, IA
• Central States Threshermen’s Reunion Steam School in Pontiac, IL
• Kansas Antique Engine Show Safety Assn. Steam School in Winfield, KS
• Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion: University of Rollag Steam School in Rollag, MN
• Rough & Tumble Engineers Historical Assn. Steam School in Kinzers, PA
• Somerset Steam & Gas Engine Assn.: Somerset Steam School in Somerset, VA
• Wisconsin Historical Steam Engine Assn. Steam School in Edgar, WI

Several of these schools also provide credit toward the required number of hours to obtain a state operator’s license in Minnesota and Ohio. To find out dates and tuition costs, go to the Farm Collector magazine’s website or check out the listings provided by Engineers and Engines magazine.

Regardless of what type of tractor or steam school you attend, there’s always another benefit beyond the training and the food: the chance to meet other collectors and tractor enthusiasts like yourself and gain some new knowledge, or perhaps a new friend.