Tractor Pulling

Antique and garden tractor pulling rules: https://edgeta.com/safety/

We follow EDGA&TA rules for tractor pulls which can be found on their web page:

Rules copied below for convenience (as of 2/2/26):

Mandatory Safety Requirements For All EDGETA Events

1. EDGE&TA Branch Safety Officers, EDGE&TA Safety Officers, and EDGE&TA Insurance Adviser are authorized to shut down anyone for unsafe operation.

2. Anyone exhibiting or participating at any EDGE&TA event MUST be a member of an EDGE&TA branch.

3. No set of requirements, regulations or cautions can prevent a disaster. We must, however, take these safety requirements seriously. Our individual awareness and adherence to both required and desired requirements will greatly increase the safety of our exhibitors and the public who attend our events.

4. No Alcohol to be Served or Consumed at Any EDGE&TA Event.

Show Ground in General

Required:

• Fire extinguishers distributed around the show grounds and have Fire Department Equipment in attendance if possible. If Fire Department equipment is not available at least notify the local Fire Department of the event and ask for their help.

• Have Persons with First Aid skills and CPR training in attendance if possible.

• Fuel Spill Contamination clean up kit, consisting of cat litter, shovel and container with lid for contaminated soils or cat litter.

• Designated loading/unloading area for all equipment. If possible have a loading/unloading ramp for large tractors and equipment. Be sure that what ever means of loading/unloading used is safe.

• Designated parking area for exhibitors’ vehicles and equipment should be separate from the Public parking area.

Gasoline, Kerosene, Diesel and Propane Tractor Displays

Anyone exhibiting or participating at any EDGE&TA event MUST be a member of an EDGE&TA Branch.

NO ALCOHOL is permitted at any EDGE&TA event.

1. Area Coordinators will determine placement of tractors

2. Owners or authorized operators must be in attendance while a tractor’s engine is running.

3. All EDGETA members can display farm tractors or any other farm equipment at a branch show. If the equipment is to be paraded or driven on a public road the driver must have a valid driver’s license (or learner’s permit) as required by the state law in the state that the driver resides.

4. To drive a tractor at an EDGE&TA event, all under age or unlicensed drivers age 12-16 years must have completed the EDGE&TA Youth Driver Training Program and have passed the Youth Driver Training Test and have a Youth Driver Training Certification Card in their possession. If you are underage or unlicensed and want to display only that is fine, but you will have to have a licensed driver move the tractor or equipment. All EDGE&TA branches are encouraged to participate in the EDGE&TA Youth Driver Training/Certification Program for all the EDGE&TA Youth members who are 12 or older, but less than the legal driver age required to hold a drivers license in the state they reside. This will allow the younger members to participate in EDGE&TA sponsored shows, events and parades until becoming licensed drivers.

5. The driver should be the only person on a tractor when moving unless there are provisions for others and the provisions meet the Safety Officers approval.

6. Tractors with spade lugs or tracks are to be moved or operated only in areas designated by Area Coordinator.

7. All Tractors must have a kill switch or device accessible from the operator’s seat to kill the engine.

8. All tractor demonstrations must have a rope or other barrier between the demonstration and the viewing public.

9. All tractor-powered equipment, i.e. threshing machines, balers and saws, shall have an operator in the tractor seat all times.

10. All tractors shall have good working brakes if so equipped.

11. All tractors shall have good parking brakes if so equipped and/or wheel blocks or chocks while parked for display on an incline where there is a possibility the tractor could roll.

12. Tractor operators/drivers need to be very careful when starting a tractor. Be sure the brake is properly set if it is equipped with a parking brake. Wheel blocks or chocks can be used but remember they will not stop a tractor from rolling over the block or chock if it is started in gear. Check to be sure the tractor is out of gear and then check it a second time to be absolutely sure.

13. There should be a second person to observe the public and act as a safety person while moving large tractors or tractors with restricted view.

14. Never leave a tractor in gear when parked. (This will prevent someone from accidentally starting the tractor and running over themselves, others or equipment).

15. Use extreme care when fueling any tractor. Always kill the engine before fueling.

16. All oil or fuel leaks should have a flat tray containing a non-flammable material, such as, cat litter or oil dry to catch any leaking fluids.

17. Display areas should be kept free of debris.

18. All drivers of lawn and garden tractors who do not have a valid Motor Vehicle Operators License must have completed the Youth Drivers Training program. Our insurance carrier agreed to allow the youth who are members of EDGE&TA between 12 and 16 years if age or until the youth reaches the age a Motor Vehicle Operators License from the state in which he/she resides can be obtained who have completed the EDGE&TA Youth Driver Training Program and passed the Operational Safety Tests to operate tractors and other motorized vehicles they are approved to drive at EDGE&TA functions.

19. The Safety Officer, either Branch or EDGE&TA, including the EDGE&TA Insurance advisor, may shut down anyone for unsafe operation.

Tractor Pull Safety Requirements and Guidelines

PULL BY WEIGHT TRANSFER SLED

Extreme caution must be exercised at all times while working with any tractor pull due to the number of people involved with the pulling tractor and sled.

THIS SECTION CONTAINS MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS THAT MUST BE FOLLOWED AND EACH BRANCH SAFETY OFFICER MUST SEE THAT THE REQUIREMENTS ARE FOLLOWED.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR EDGETA SPONSORED EVENTS

1. All pullers must be members of EDGE&TA.

2. All pullers must be 16 years of age and have a valid driver’s license. If not they must have completed the Youth Driver Training Program.

3. NO STEP ON SLEDS ALLOWED AT ANY TIME.

4. It is recommended that a progressive weight transfer sled be used. It must be built with safety in mind to protect the puller, the sled operator and the public.

5. Each sled will have a working fire extinguisher mounted in such a manner to be easily accessible to operator or Ground personnel in case of a tractor fire.

6. No tractor with other than manufacturer standard engine will be allowed.

7. All tractor engines must not exceed the manufacturers recommended HP and RPM by more than 10%.

8. Speeds- 1st or 2nd gear not to exceed 6 MPH. Torque shifting not allowed.

9. Never hook up the pulling tractor until operator has put tractor in neutral and raised their hands.

10. The driver is the only person allowed on a tractor at anytime. Drivers must remain seated at all times except for tractors designed for standing only i.e. Steam Tractors and certain gas/kerosene tractors, which are allowed no more than two operators.

11. All tractors must have a kill switch or device accessible from the operator’s seat to kill the engine.

12. Keep spectators at least 30 feet from edge of track. Spectators may be closer if solid barrier or fence separates spectators from track.

13. Any violations observed by the flag person or safety officer will mean automatic disqualification.

14. Tractors must have the stock engine, frames, transmission, rear end, and axle housings or manufacturer’s replacement.

15. All tractors must be equipped with working brakes.

16. Tractor shall not be left unattended with engine running.

17. There will be no hot rodding in the pits or track area.

18. Fuel– gasoline, diesel, kerosene or LP fuels only. No alcohol or nitrous fuels may be used in tractors. Tractor manufactured to use diesel fuel only cannot be converted to gasoline or LP. No airplane fuel. Fuel is meant to be the same fuel that you use in your automobile or truck.

19. Maximum hitch height 20 inches Rubber tire classes

20. Minimum hitch length 16 inches Rubber tire classes

21. Maximum hitch height 16 inches Steel wheel classes

22. Minimum hitch length 18 inches Steel wheel classes.

23. Front of tractor not to exceed 16 inches off the ground. A chain device must be used to determine height. Device to be furnished by sled operator.

24. If wheelie bars are used, chain device not needed.

25. Wheelie bars recommended but not required

26. If wheelie bars are used they must be checked so not to allow the front of tractor to exceed 16 inches off the ground and must be tested to weight of the tractor.

27. Tractors not to exceed 100 HP

28. If anything falls off of the tractor during pull, the tractor is disqualified.

29. Crawler tractors use standard hitch. No modifications.

30. All pulling tractors must be 30 years or older.

31. NO ALCOHOL is to be consumed or served at any EDGETA event.

THIS SECTION IS GUIDELINES OR SUGGESTIONS FOR A TRACTOR PULL

The following list of people is suggested:

1. Event Chairperson

2. Safety Officer

3. Announcer

4. Statistician

5. Sled Operator

6. Flag person

7. One hook and one unhook persons

8. Two persons to make measurements and/or one person to read measurement if a progressive sled measurement is used.

9. Pull back tractor and operator

10. Scraper tractor and operator

11. Extra persons as needed

TRACTOR PULLS CAN BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL CLASSES:

Listed are classes that can be used in combinations.

1. Tractors can pull for distance

2. Tractors can pull by percentage of weight

3. Rubber Tire classes

4. Steel wheel classes’ antique classes only pre-1940

5. Crawler classes

6. Antique classes

7. Classic classes

8. Farm Stock classes

Following is A Discussion of Tractors and Classes.

1. Open classes

2. Tractors must be 30 years or older

AGE OF TRACTORS: (New)

• The age of tractors has been increased to include those that are 30 years old or older.

• Previous ages of tractors were 1960 and older.

• The pulling requirements will not change for the newer tractors.

• They will still have to meet the 100 HP Maximum, 6-MPH speed and 10,000 weight limit and all the other regulations.

• The Branches may want to set classes for these tractors or incorporate them in with the other tractors.

WEIGHT CLASSES: 0 – 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000, 9000, & 10,000 or any combination there of. IE: 0-1500, 1501 – 2000, 2001 – 2500 etc. not to exceed 10,000 lbs. Classes may be 0-3500, 3501-4500, 4501-5500, etc. Classes are to be determined by the Branch.

Entry:

1. Tractors may be pulled in several classes, once in each class.

2. Tractors cannot enter classes below its lightest weigh-in weight.

3. Example: Antique class tractors may also pull in the next class if the tractor meets the rules for that class.

4. The Branch can control how many times a tractor can pull and what classes they pull in. But you must remember that a 3000-pound tractor pulling in a 5000-pound class and winning is probably not stock.

Rims and Wheels – Tractors must have OEM recommended diameter rims and OEM wheels. Wheels with rims for manufacturers original recommendations to include cut-downs for tractors that may have originally been on steel wheels, No modified dish wheel with holes cut out to reduce weight.

Tires – Tires must be on rim width, not exceeding tire manufacturer’s recommended width. Maximum tire size – one size above manufacturer current replacement size. It is a branch decision whether to allow cut tires or radial tires.

Hitches – Maximum 20” height (stationary in all directions) locked on tractors such as IH fast hitch, Ford 3-point hitch, etc. Hitch length not less than 16″ from center of rear axle. Hitches must be as from factory-unaltered for that specific tractor. Operator must furnish a straight up and down or twisted clevis with a minimum opening of 3.0” bolted or pinned to the draw bar. Hitch measured at hook point of clevis.

Recommended: The front wheels of the tractor are not allowed to exceed 16” off the ground during a pull. Sled operator is to provide a linked chain or device attached parallel with the center of the front axle with a maximum of 16” on the ground. Chain must be dragging at the time tractor is hooked. Wheelie bars are optional but recommended Speeds – 1st or 2nd gear not to exceed 6 MPH.

Weights – appearing to the original manufactured weights as possible. No concrete weights allowed. Original manufacturer suitcase weights are allowed if the tractor manufacturer equipped the tractor with the weights. They must be mounted per manufacturer operator’s instruction manual.

Engine – Stock block, naturally aspirated. Exceptions: Oliver 99 GM, etc. Stock head, manifold and carburetor. Manifolds are to be replacement-manufactured parts accepted for that make and model tractor. Stock engine RPM. Engine parts not in parts book for that specific tractor cannot be used. RPM – Maximum of 10% over factory high idle specification.

Exceptions:

• generator vs. alternators,

• points vs. electronic ignitions,

• magnetos vs. distributors,

• hand cranks vs. electric starters,

• single exhaust vs. dual exhaust,

• side shields whether factory or home made,

• 6-volt vs. 12-volt.

These variations can be set by each branch and controlled by each branch.

Appearance – Tractors must maintain original stock appearance. If a part is not found in the manufacturers’ parts book it can not be used. Seat must be stock seat or a manufactured seat placed with stock mountings (such as TSC).

Exhibition Class – If for some reason a tractor doesn’t meet EDGETA Requirements or guidelines, it can be pulled in an exhibition class if it is deemed safe by the pull committee.

For Example – If tire size doesn’t meet branches requirements, or specialty tractors such as the Ford with Funk Conversion etc. These tractors must meet all other requirements.

NO SMOKE BLOWERS.

Safety – The Track Flagman Rules while the tractor is on the pulling track.

THESE SAME MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES MAY BE USED IN ALL CLASSES.

1. Tractor ages vary in the different areas of our membership. It is up to the branches to determine the classes to be pulled.

2. It is the responsibility of the branches to follow the requirements and guidelines set forth by EDGETA.

3. The branches have more leeway to set classes to fit their area. All activities must be safe.

Garden tractor pulling...fun for kids and adults.

Antique tractor pulling.

Exhibition class tractor pulling.