Under the Hood of History: The Teaching Tractor at Garden Jubilee

At this year’s Garden Jubilee in Hendersonville, North Carolina, I had the pleasure of meeting James Dickson of the International Harvester Collectors Club (IHCC), Appalachian Mountain Region Chapter 43. As I made my way through the vibrant crowds and colorful plant displays, I found something unexpected — a gleaming red 1951 Farmall Cub tractor with its inner workings proudly on display. But this wasn’t just any vintage tractor. This was a teaching tractor — a remarkable hands-on project brought to life by James and his fellow members of Chapter 43.

What caught my eye immediately was the tractor’s see-through panels and color-coded components, glowing from the inside with carefully placed lights. These weren’t just for show — they were teaching tools, each cutaway and highlight designed to reveal the hidden dance of pistons, gears, and combustion that powers this agricultural icon. From timing and intake, to spark and exhaust, wheel speed, lubrication, and even the gear speed differential — every key function of the tractor was demystified.

James and his team have done something truly special. By cutting away portions of the engine, inserting lights, and carefully crafting labeled displays, they’ve turned a piece of farming history into a living classroom. Designed to educate everyone from curious school kids to seasoned tractor enthusiasts, the teaching tractor provides a rare, inside look at 75-year-old farming technology — and a reminder of how far innovation and ingenuity have brought us.

What stood out most, though, was the spirit behind it. This wasn’t just a restoration project. It was a labor of love — a way to honor heritage while sparking curiosity. The tractor isn’t just for display; it’s meant to be used as a tool in educational settings, where students can physically see how combustion creates movement, how gears transfer energy, and how farmers once connected with the land through machines like this.

In the video we captured, you’ll see this story unfold — from the craftsmanship that went into the makeover, to the real-life demonstrations of how farmers once used the Farmall Cub to cultivate, plow, and harvest. It’s more than mechanics. It’s history with horsepower.

Watch the video, explore the mechanics, and rediscover a part of Appalachian heritage brought roaring back to life — only this time, with the hood wide open.