HARFORD COUNTY FARM FAIR ANTIQUE TRACTOR PULL RULES

This pull, as a part of the Harford County Farm Fair, is conducted to demonstrate the old tractors' pulling ability and for the spectators' entertainment. We expect this to be a friendly competition and anticipate that all owners and operators will always maintain that attitude.

Rules for 2025 Antique Tractor Pull

  1. Registration will open on June 1, 2025, and close after 80 tractors have been entered or on July 1, 2025, whichever occurs first.

  2. All participants must reside within a 25-mile radius of the Harford County Farm Fair location.

  3. All tractors must be weighed in by 5:00 p.m. on the pull day. Tractors must not have:

    · Rear tires that are more than one size wider than the manufacturer's specifications.

    · Wheels without rubber tires (iron or steel wheels).

    · Dual wheels.

    · Tire chains

    · All -Thread or bolts that extend beyond sidewall of tire.

  4. The engine must be stock.

  5. Tractors must have a belly-type draw bar and cannot be connected to the top control arms unless the control arms are made stationary and this was the only hitch provided by the manufacturer.  Hitch and hitch components must be stock and the Safety Committee must approve modifications to stock components. Tractors using a fast hitch draw bar and not using the optional swing type belly draw bar must use a bolt on plate with two or more bolts and clamp the latches down with metal clamps or U- Bolts or a chain and bolt combination. All tractors must have a 3" or larger clevis attached.

  6. All weights must be secured in a proper position. NO BUNGEE CORDS, ROPE, OR WIRE WILL BE ALLOWED. If any of your weights drop off during the pull, you will be disqualified.

  7. All tractors must be equipped with a hood and grill, if standard.

    · If tractor is set up for four wheels, it must have four wheels and tires.

    · Standard components (frames, transmission cases, rear ends and housings, and front ends) may not be modified or substituted.

  8. Antique tractors must be operated under governor controls not to exceed 10% over manufacture’s specifications. All operators are responsible to have their tractors checked for operating at manufacturer’s rpm specifications.

  9. The top of the draw bar must be no higher than 20 inches from the ground and the hitching point no less than 18 inches from the center of the axle, unless the stock factory draw bar is higher.

  10. Rear ends and transmission gears must be stock, per factory specifications.

    · After a participant has begun his or her pull, shifting of gears or changing ratios of power transmission are forbidden.

  11. Before hooking tractor to the sled, the tractor must be in neutral and the driver must raise his/her hands, in the air.  Driver is to remain in this position until the person hooking the sled to the tractor indicates the hook-up is completed.

    · Allowances will be made for a tractor with a hand clutch and /or hand brakes allowing the operator to use one hand.

  12. All pulls are to be started from a tight hitch. NO JERKING! No part of the tractor may interfere with the sled or the sled hitch during the pull.

  13. Tractor tires must stay within the marked boundaries of the course or you will be disqualified.

  14. Drivers must be properly dressed -this includes shirts, pants and closed toed shoes.

  15. Contestants will be allowed a second attempt if he or she does not pull beyond the 75 foot mark. Pull-offs are allowed one attempt only.

  16. First puller in each class is a test puller and has the option to drop to third position. Driver must tell track official before leaving the track if he/she wants to pull in third position. Test puller may return in third position if disqualified for out-of-bound or dropped weights in first attempt.

  17. The track official has the right to inspect any and all tractors while on the track.  The Safety Committee has the right to inspect any and all tractors at any time.

  18. Track official and the Safety Committee have the authority to enforce rules and all decisions are final.

  19. At the pass distribution meeting prior to the event, numbers will be drawn for pull line up. Any absent puller will have a number drawn for them.

  20. After track official (flagman) indicates the sled is ready, contestant has three minutes to position tractor for hook-up.

  21. Tractors are classed for pulling by weight and year of manufacture.  To enter a class competitively, the tractor plus drivers weight must not exceed the weight for the class they are pulling. You may exceed a weight class by 100 pounds if that weight does not include any temporary weights. 

    Antique Class (1952 or older): 3,000 lb., 4,500 lb., 5,000 lb., 6,000 lb., 8,000 lb., 10,000 lb. Antique tractors may not exceed 3.5 miles per hour during the pull.

    Historic Class (1962 or older): 3,000 lb, 4,000 lb., 4,500 lb, 5,500 lb., 8,000 lb., 10,000 lb., 12,000 lb. Historic tractors may not exceed 6 miles per hour during the pull.

  22. Warning horn will sound when the speed limit is broken. Driver must reduce speed at the sound of the horn.  When the warning horn is activated a third time (sounds) you will be disqualified.

  23. Tractor operator must be 16 years of age or older with proper ID and be able to operate all tractor controls from a seated position. Operators between 16 and 18 years of age are required to have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian (must be signed on or before the day of the event).

  24. Duration of Pull:  Anytime tractor is hooked to the sled.

  25. Track official must tell the puller the status of pull before tractor is unhooked.

  26. Tractor operators, officials, and track workers may not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the event.

  27. NO RIDERS ON TRACTORS AT ANY TIME ON THE GROUNDS OF THE FAIR.

  28. PROTEST OF RULES:  The protester must submit in writing, along with his $100.00 non-refundable protest fee to the Protest Committee (Safety committee and Executive Board) during the day of the violation.  The Protest Committee will render a decision in writing, if possible, no later than 15 days after the protest.

  29. Use of road gear is not permitted on the fairground at any time.

  30. Operators must remain seated on tractor while it is running!

 

ANTIQUE TRACTOR PULL REGISTRATION

THURSDAY, JULY 24 | 5:00 P.M. | THE TRACK
Tractors must be weighed in by 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 24.

PLEASE NOTE: Registration will open June 1, 2025, and close after 80 tractors have entered or on July 1, 2025, whichever occurs first.