Texas Teen, Ricky Schilling, Crowned National Champion in 2018 Delo Tractor Restoration Competition
Restoration of 1960 John Deere 435 Delivers Life Skills and a $10,000 Grand Prize
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Oct. 26, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chevron Products Company, a Chevron U.S.A. Inc. division, maker of the Delo® brand of technologically advanced engine oils, lubricants and coolants, announced Ricky Schilling of Fayetteville, TX as the Grand Champion of the . A dozen of the country’s top high school-age tractor restoration enthusiasts competed for the title in Indianapolis, IN during the 91st National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Convention this week.
Ricky Schilling earned the 2018 Delo Tractor Restoration Grand Champion title for his restoration of a 1960 John Deere 435 tractor.
“This is my first year and I was not expecting this. I was just expecting to come up here and do my best. Evidently it was enough, because I won Grand Champion,” said Ricky Schilling, 2018 Delo Tractor Restoration Competition Grand Champion. “Someday I will pass on what I am learning to the next generation of small town kids who still love the agricultural life. Maybe as an Ag teacher, maybe as a rancher who hires, for sure as a judge of tractor restoration. Hopefully, I’ll be as good as the men who taught me.”
Mr. Schilling was awarded $10,000 as the Delo Tractor Restoration Competition Grand Champion. The Reserve Champion title, and an award of $5,000 went to Devin Haywood of Hastings, MI for his restoration of a 1957 Farmall 450 Diesel. A team from the Four Rivers Career H.S. of Washington, MO took third place and a prize of $3,000 for their restoration of a 1949 John Deere Model A.
The 2018 entries were narrowed down to 12 finalists who presented their projects to a panel of four seasoned tractor restoration experts. Each project was graded on the restoration process, safety precautions, results, documentation and their oral presentation.
“The value of the Delo Tractor Restoration Competition goes well beyond bringing an antique tractor back to life,” said Dan Holdmeyer, Industrial and Coolants Brand Manager, Chevron Products Company. “This event is a combination of a vocational and business school experience that provides lessons our participants will take with them throughout their lives. Congratulations to our Grand Champion, Ricky Schilling, and all this year’s competitors. You should be incredibly proud of what you have achieved as part of this event.”
The finalists for the 2018 Delo Tractor Restoration Competition are:
- Everett Herrington, Idalou FFA, Idalou, TX: 1968 Massey-Ferguson
- Austin Reynolds, Ira FFA, Ira, TX: 1955 Farmall Cub
- Austin Chavez, Cuero High School, Cuero, TX: 1965 John Deere Model 4020
- Ricky Schilling, Fayetteville ISD #278, Fayetteville, TX: 1960 John Deere 435
- Four Rivers Career H.S., Four Rivers Career Center Night Shift, Washington, MO: 1949 John Deere Model "A"
- Devin Haywood, Hastings FFA, Hastings, MI: 1957 Farmall 450 Diesel
- Box Elder High School, Box Elder FFA, Brigham City, UT: 1949 Farmall C
- Riley Dalrymple, Uvalde FFA, Uvalde, TX: 1925 John Deere D
- Ryder Merta, El Campo FFA, El Campo, TX: 1949, John Deere B
- NorthWood High School, NorthWood FFA, Nappanee, IN: 1950 John Deere MT
- Corey Verstraeten, Southwest FFA, San Antonio, TX: 1955 Oliver Super 88 L-P
- Mack Blair, Dubiski Career High School FFA, Grand Prairie, TX: 1949 John Deere A
About the Delo Tractor Restoration Competition
Since 1995 the Delo Tractor Restoration Competition has rewarded the determination, mechanical skills and business savvy of high school tractor restoration experts from around the country. Through the restoration of an antique tractor, participants develop skills applicable to the modern business world. The skills needed for success in the program – equipment mechanics, teamwork, project management, budgeting, planning and marketing – help develop the participants into future leaders in the agriculture community.
All entrants to the Delo Tractor Restoration Competition are required to submit a workbook detailing the entire tractor restoration process, from mechanical overhauls of the engine, transmission and auxiliary and ancillary systems, to the external appearance of the tractors. The 12 finalists are invited to present their projects to a panel of four professional tractor experts during the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. Projects are graded on restoration process, hands-on learning, results and documentation, as well as oral presentation and safety precautions.
For more about the Delo Tractor Restoration Competition, go to:
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Chevron’s Delo Product Family:
Chevron’s Delo product family includes engine oils, premium lubricants and extended life coolants that provide premium performance and bottom-line value for diesel powered vehicles.
All Delo products are covered under the Delo Warranty Plus program, which provides bumper-to-bumper protection against lubricant and coolant related failures as described in the Delo Warranty.
More information on Delo products can be found at:
About Chevron Products Company
Chevron Products Company is a division of an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of the Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) headquartered in San Ramon, CA. A full line of lubrication and coolant products are marketed through this organization. Select brands include Havoline®, Delo® and Havoline Xpress Lube®. Chevron Intellectual Property, LLC owns patented technology in advanced lubricants products, new generation base oil technology and coolants.
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