Tractor Pull Rules
General Rules
1) Tractors 1960 and older or production models that started in 1960 are allowed. Exception maybe allowed if approved by the pull committee.
2) Areas will be marked off for the tractors participating in the pull. Please be ready and in line when your class is pulling.
3) Pulling will be done in the order of weight and the pulling order (light to heavy or heavy to light) determined by the pull committee.
4) When hitching and unhitching from the sled, tractors must be in neutral, with the driver’s foot off the clutch with hands in the air. The driver must remain seated at all times and keep at least one hand on the steering wheel at all times. The driver must obey all signals from the flagman. The driver must remain in control of the tractor at all times on the track and on the grounds. Hot rodding is not allowed and you may be asked to leave.
5) The chain must be tight and the driver must have the green signal from the flag man before proceeding with the pull.
6) The pull is ended when forward motion stops, the tractor stalls, and the tractor reaches the side boundary or when the driver gets the red signal from the flagman.
7) A speed limit horn will monitor the speed of the tractor. There will be a 75 foot distance to blow the horn for the driver to gauge his speed. After the 75 foot mark if the horn blows it will be automatic disqualification.
8) All tractors will be required to cross the scales to have their weight checked and their hitch height checked by an official. A driver may be asked to cross the scale a second time at anytime by a pull committee member.
9) Any tractor or driver found to be unsafe or illegal may be asked to leave the grounds.
10) Anything falling off the tractor after it is hooked to the sled and moving will result in immediate disqualification.
11) If at anytime any part of the tractor touches the out off bounds line the tractor will be disqualified.
12) All tractors must be safe, with safe fenders required in all classes.
13) There will be a $5.00 hook fee for the Antique, Field Farm, and Show class. There will be a $10.00 hook fee for the Antique Plus class. The fee must be paid at the time of registration. A tractor can not compete in more than two weight classes. All tractors must register at the main tent to receive a tractor number to be allowed to pull.
14) Any violation of the rules or unpartisan-like conduct of a driver will result in disqualification and you will not receive your hook fees back.
15) Pullers enter at your own risk and hold Riverbend Steam & Gas Association harmless.
16) Absolutely NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR ILLEGAL DRUGS ARE ALLOWED ON THE PREMISES. This will result in immediate disqualification and you will be asked to leave and may be reported to a law enforcement official.
17) All drivers must be 16 years or older with a valid driver’s license no exceptions.
18) The pull committee will interpret all rules seen and unforeseen and their rulings will be final.
19) Scale is open on Thursday from 2:00 -4:00 PM and Friday from 10:00AM – 12:00PM and 1:00-4:30PM. There will be a drivers meeting at 4:45PM with the pull starting at 5:00PM. Saturdays pull will start at approximately 2:00 PM.
Field Farm, Antique and Show Tractor: classes are designated for beginning pullers, Antique, Stock or Show tractors.
1) GENERAL RULES – see general rules that apply to all tractors.
2) TIRES – Absolutely NO CUT TIRES ALLOWED PERIOD. If it is determined by the pull committee that the tires have been altered or modified in any way you will be asked to pull in the Antique Plus class. Also tire size can exceed one size over that was available for the year, brand and model of tractor.
3) RIMS AND WHEELS – will be of size that came on that year, brand and model of tractor. No pressed steel or aluminum allowed unless it came from the manufacture.
4) SPEED – first and second gear only. Tractors with torque amplification will be allowed to be used. The horn will be set at 3 mph if blown after the 75 foot mark tractor will be disqualified.
5. WEIGHTS – Weights of bolt on type to either front or back wheels. No concrete or suit case weights allowed. Manufactured weights for the year brand and model of tractor allowed. Also no added weight brackets allowed.
6) ENGINE – Engines must be stock with correct block and no performance adders allowed. This also means no aftermarket manifolds or carburetors. Also a factory ignition and coil must be used. The only exception is a petronix breakerless ignition inside the distributor is allowed. Also add on pusher fuel pumps are not allowed. No automotive or combine motors are allowed.
7) HITCHES – maximum 20” height fixed in all directions. On tractors such as IH and Ford fast hitch it must be locked in all directions. Hitches must be as from the factory, unaltered for that specific tractor. Tractor must have a clevis with a minimum 2.5” opening .Farmall’s must pull with the original horse shoe and belly bar hitch. Straight hitches must be in the full out plow position. I.E. John Deeres.
8) RPM’S – All tractors will run stock RPM’S as determined by the NATPA‘s test chart. A tractor maybe checked by a pull committee member. Due to insurance regulations and safety RPM’s will be strictly enforced.
9) SAFETY – The front wheels of the tractor are not allowed to exceed 18” off the ground during the pull or at the discretion of the flag man. A ground height chain maybe used.
10) APPEARANCE – Tractors must maintain original stock appearance. Tractors must also have fenders or safe substitute.
Antique Plus: division is designed for competitive pullers with near stock tractors. Tractors must be manufactured in 1960 or before to compete in this class.
1) GENERAL RULES – see general rules that apply to all tractors.
2) WEIGHT VARIANCE – This class will be allowed a 1% + or – for the weight class.
3) SAFETY – All tractors must have wheelie bars they must be rigid and the tractor must be able to be jacked up on one wheelie bar to be safe. Wheelie bars are not mandatory for the year 2012 but may be the following years.
4) DRAWBAR – The tractors must have a hitching point of no less than 24” from the center of the rear axle to the opening of the hitch. The hitch must be rigid in all directions and an opening of at least 3”. The hitch may have no more than an 1 ¼” of material on the back of the hole. Hitch material can be no thinner than a ½ inch and no thicker than one inch. The top of the hitch can not exceed 20” from the ground up.
5) WEIGHTS – Weights must not extend rearward beyond the rear tires and cannot be more than 11’ feet from the center of the rear axle to the farthest point forward. Weights must be secure.
6) FUEL – Fuels, such as racing gas is allowed No alcohol or nitrous oxide is allowed. Immediate disqualification from the pull will happen if any illegal fuel is discovered by a pull committee member.
7) RPM’s – The tractors rpm’s will be determined by the NATPA test chart. Any tractor will be allowed to run 10% over the manufactured specification. If there is any doubt on RPM’s you will be checked by a pull committee member and disqualified from the class. Due to insurance regulations and safety RPM’s will be strictly enforced.
8) SPEED – The horn will be set at 4 mph. If the horn is blown after the 75 foot mark the tractor will be immediately disqualified. On tractor so equipped Torque amplifiers can be used.
9) APPEARANCE – Tractors must maintain their stock appearance from the manufacture. Chrome exhaust pipes and aftermarket weight brackets are allowed. All tractors must have fenders.
10) ENGINES – Tractors must have stock appearing engines, frames, transmissions, rear end housings and axles made for that tractor. No automotive or combine motors.
11) TIRES AND RIMS – The maximum tire size allowed is 15.5 X 38 in classes up to 6500 lbs. in classes 7500 lbs and up 18.4 X 38 maximum. TOP CUT ONLY TIRES ALLOWED. NO full cuts or radial tires are allowed. Pressed Steel and Aluminum wheels front and rear is allowed.