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Octorara FFA students restore 1968 Cub Cadet for Farm Show; restored tractor to be displayed at high school
Summary
An Octorara FFA Ag Mechanics team described restoring a 1968 Cub Cadet lawn tractor for the Pennsylvania Farm Show competition, detailing engine and wiring repairs, sponsors, and roughly 200 student hours. The tractor will be displayed in the high‑school lobby.
Students from the Octorara FFA Ag Mechanics program presented their tractor‑restoration project to the school board, describing the repairs and the skills they applied in preparation for the Pennsylvania Farm Show.
“I'm Grant Humble,” said Grant, identifying himself as a member of the Octorara FFA chapter and introducing team members Gabriel Kreider, Garrett Byler, Lasandra Escobel Lopez and Matthew Russell. The team said they restored a 1968 Cub Cadet donated by a student’s grandfather; work included engine disassembly and valve replacement, installing a new wiring harness, replacing tires and repainting the tractor.
The students explained troubleshooting steps: they found no engine compression, removed and cleaned valves, and ultimately used parts from a donor tractor to restore compression and run the engine. They also replaced a deteriorated wiring harness and a voltage regulator so the electrical system worked. The presentation included photos and a timeline of disassembly, inspection, paint and reassembly; students estimated roughly 200 hours of work on the project.
The team acknowledged sponsors and incentives that supported participation: Lancaster Farming, Friends of the Pennsylvania Farm Show and the Farm Show organization itself. The students said five entries competed in the Ag Mechanics division this year, with one school later dropping out.
Supervisor and instructor Mr. King praised the students’ presentation and workmanship and said the restored tractor will be on public display in the high‑school main lobby the following day. A parent in the audience, Brandon Umbel of Highland Township, also praised Mr. King’s contribution to the program.
Board members and administrators highlighted the Ag Mechanics program’s workforce connection. A district official noted the statewide demand for trained ag mechanics and said the program is a direct pathway to in‑demand jobs. The board encouraged community members to view the tractor on display and commended the students for the skills they learned.
