A tractor that regularly featured in Yorkshire Television’s Emmerdale Farm is set to be one of the standout exhibits at Tractor Fest, which takes place at Newby Hall, Ripon on 6 and 7 June 2026.
This year’s Tractor Fest will showcase Zetor, the iconic Czech manufacturer known for producing durable, affordable and straightforward tractors that became a familiar sight on British farms from the 1960s onwards.
Now owned by the Ripon-based West Yorkshire Group Chairman of the National Vintage Tractor and Engine Club and Tractor Fest committee member, Mark Nicholson, Emmerdale’s Zetor 6748 has a colourful and unusual history that links Lincolnshire and Yorkshire farming with one of Britain’s best‑known television dramas.
Originally supplied by G Howards & Sons of Louth in Lincolnshire, the tractor spent its working life on the land before being acquired by Michael Launder, who supplied props to the long‑running Yorkshire Television series Emmerdale Farm (now Emmerdale). The Zetor was used for set dressing in several episodes, appearing with a variety of different implements attached depending on the storyline and farm scenes being filmed.
When the programme modernised its on‑screen machinery, the tractor was no longer required and was sold to Daleside Tractors of Harrogate, before being purchased for preservation by Mark Nicholson in 2025.
Mark has carried out minor repairs to the tractor and, due to a loss of historical records at DVLA, its registration was updated.
Mark Nicholson said:
I was keen to add the Zetor to my collection of five classic tractors. Its robust construction and spacious cab are characteristics that gave Eastern Bloc‑built tractors their reputation for strength and practicality.
Tractor Fest is the UK’s largest tractor and vintage machinery show and will take place at Newby Hall, North Yorkshire, with thousands of visitors expected over the weekend.
Organised by the Yorkshire Vintage Association, the event will feature more than 1,400 vintage and modern tractors, and another 2,200 exhibits including stationary engines, commercial vehicles, cars, trucks and motorcycles on display across 120 acres of the Newby estate.
Highlights of this year’s show include tractors and engines Made in Scotland and motor rollers, as well as the Zetor tractor brand.
A host of entertainment, crafts, food and drink will be on offer at the show and admission includes access to Newby’s RHS Chelsea gold medal winning gardens, adventure playground, dolls house and teddy bear exhibitions.
- WHEN? Saturday 6 June – Sunday 7 June, 10am-4pm
- WHERE? Newby Hall & Gardens, Ripon, North Yorkshire
- COST Adult – £22, Child – £16, Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 children) – £65. Under 4s Free
- TICKETS https://www.newbyhall.com/event/tractorfest-6th-7th-june-2026/
- For more information visit: http://tractorfest.uk/
