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Tips From the Pros

Ever wonder what it is about a restored tractor that makes it stand out in a crowd? Ever want to ask a judge exactly what they’re looking for when they review a tractor? If we restored tractors, we’d want to know. So we asked our judges to give us some insight into what gives teams an edge when competing at the national level. Here are some helpful tips to put you on the inside track.

Dick Bockwoldt

Dick Bockwoldt

Job: Retired. Currently restoring antique tractors
Home: Dixon, IA
Delo TRC judge since 1997
Restoring tractors since 1970

What Mr. Bockwoldt looks for in Delo TRC instruction books, presentations and projects:

  • "One of the first things I look for in the workbooks is how seriously the entrant took safety. Safety should be clear in the pictures, written sections of the workbook and the presentations."
  • "It's easy to follow instructions, but that doesn't always equate to knowledge. I like to see that participants have retained what they have learned."
  • "I want to know about all the work that was done, so details are critical."
Chuck Bos

Chuck Bos

Job: President, Bos Machine Tool Services, Inc.
Home: Geneseo, IL
Delo TRC judge since 2003
Restoring tractors since 1985

What Mr. Bos looks for in Delo TRC instruction books, presentations and projects:

  • “Many teams don’t realize how important the workbook is to the judging process, so the more thorough they are the better. All the judges like to see details.”
  • “I want to know these kids have retained knowledge about the work they have done, so I ask lots of questions regarding how and why certain tasks were performed.”
  • “If work is sent out to a machine or radiator shop, I want to know they made an effort to see and/or understand what has been done. If you can’t see the work being done, maybe you can interview the person that did it.”
Kent Kaster

Kent Kaster

Job: President of Kent Kaster Farms and K&K Antique Tractors
Home: Shelbyville, IN
Delo TRC judge since 1998
Restoring tractors since 1983

What Mr. Kaster looks for in Delo TRC instruction books, presentations and projects:

  • “I like to see that these kids have done a complete teardown of the tractor. When competing at the national level, your projects need to be this involved.”
  • “The quality of their workmanship – from sheet metal work to paint – is also a major consideration, as is the use of original parts. It’s unfortunate to see ‘will fit’ parts used after so much effort has gone into the restoration.”
  • “These kids need to be prepared to answer questions about how and why work was done on a tractor.”
Dennis Rupert

Dennis Rupert

Job: President, Rupert Enterprises, Inc.
Home: Hillsdale, MI
Delo TRC judge since 2002
Restoring tractors since 1976

What Mr. Rupert looks for in Delo TRC instruction books, presentations and projects:

  • “The workbook has specific guidelines about the type of information that’s being requested and how it should be presented. Teams that don’t follow the instructions start at a disadvantage, because doing the workbook right and documenting each step of the work is a big part of their score.”
  • “I like to see detailed workbooks so I have a good understanding of all the work that was done.”
  • “We typically see projects that were completely torn down and rebuilt. Based on the content and documentation of the workbook we are looking to see if the contestants did the work and have complete knowledge and understanding of the steps and procedures applied to their tractor.”
Hez Salsbury

Hez Salsbury

Job: Owner, H.P.K. Restoration. Instructor at Pueblo Community College, credentialed in welding, machining, fluid power, mechanical components, metallurgy and electrical
Home: Pueblo, CO
Delo TRC judge since 2009 - Restoring tractors since 1990

What Mr. Salsbury looks for in Delo TRC instruction books, presentations and projects:

  • “I want to know that the kids understand how different parts of the tractor (transmission, PTO, clutch, torque amplifiers, hydraulic systems, etc.) work. After a major restoration, you should know this, so it’s my job as a judge to test them.”
  • “When I look at the workbook I want each section to have detailed descriptions of the work that was done. I also want to see each picture with a caption that clearly explains what’s being shown.”
  • “I like to know what challenges were faced during the restoration process and how they were overcome.”

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