WASHINGTON COUNTY 4-H STUDENT WINS AWARDS

  

Washington County 4-H member Luke Brown has been racking up the awards for his skill in tractor restoration.

Recently, Brown was named the Heart of Texas Grand Champion for Tractor Restoration and Overall Grand Champion in Ag Mechanics for his 1957 John Deere 420 tractor.

He also entered the John Deere 420 at the State Fair of Texas and won Grand Champion for Tractor Restoration there as well.

Brown previously won awards at the San Antonio Livestock Show, the Houston Livestock Show, and the Washington County Fair.

Luke and his brother, Seth, restored their first tractor, a 1953 Ford Jubilee, two years ago without any formal guidance or training. 

They relied on owner’s manuals, You Tube, googling, and the occasional input of anyone they could find that knew about engines, motors, and tractors.

It took 1,200 hours to complete.

Having learned from their previous experience, the John Deere took only 528 hours to complete. 

Between school and showing his John Deere, Luke is currently restoring his next project, a 1961 Ford 861 Diesel tractor.  He is also teaching Seth to restore a 1948 Farmall Cub tractor.