Summer Sojourn, Day 12

One summertime rural entertainment is a tractor pull. Entrants range from daily working models, through specially modified ones that never see a field, all the way to the semi (truck) tractors that pull loads over the highways.

We thought the show started earlier than it did, so arrived in plenty of time to poke around the entries and talk to the owners, some of whom were true characters.

For the two hours before the pulling started, they were grooming the track, dragging sleds and compactors and sprayers, getting it ready for the pull—or maybe just playing, the surface didn't seem to change much.


There are a number of classes, based on weight, age, modifications, et al, and the 'sled' is modified to suit.

Lots of weight on the front...


Driving onto the scale...


The sled; the box on top is loaded with weights, and moves forward to increase the drag during the pull.


Many tractors move the battery and fuel tank as far forward as possible to weight the front.


Another puller, almost stock.


Xavier's classmate pulling. Note the cutouts on the rear wheels—every little bit can help.


Needs more weight on the front. Most of the tractors had legs sticking out the back to prevent them from tipping over.


The weather was threatening, and we'd seen enough; just as we got back to the car it started to rain, perfect timing.

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