PRESERVING important knowledge and history from the region was a driving force behind the 7th Queensland Heritage Rally in Oakey at the weekend.

"We feel that today, 2016, everything has become so computerised and electronic that we the restorers of this old gear, we want to teach our young people," co-ordinator Jeanette Kummerow said.

"We really want to promote what our forefathers had to live with, had to deal with and where we've come from to today. It's preserving history."

Ms Kummerow said the rally was about promoting collections of old machinery.

"We have a passion for anything that's old. It doesn't have to be tractors and trucks and steam engines, there are also things for the ladies."

Personifying that passion was men like Terry McNamara who brought his Benz, a replica of a vehicle made in 1900 that he built from plans and photos.

Attendee Trevor Hoffmann said it was the biggest machinery show in the region for seven years.

"We learn a lot from each other and hopefully our tricks will be passed down to the younger generations."

Equipment company Caterpillar broke a record by bringing 102 machines to the rally, a first for Queensland.

Ms Kummerow said the old engines had proved popular as had the 220 tractors on display.

Saturday was the biggest day at three-day event.

"We struggled to get them parked the crowd was so massive," Ms Kummerow said.