Tiny Tractors with BIG Power

This ain’t your dad’s John Deere. These are souped up, big wheeled garden tractors who sport a lot of power in a small motor.

That’s at least what participants in Saturday showcased at the Polk County Fairgrounds’ old arena that is in the process of being turned into a multi-use spot with a first having started up smoothly this weekend as the Polk County Pullers – a group of garden tractor pull enthusiasts – held an event to see whose garden tractor has the most horsepower to get a sled way down a track.

A now fully certified track for the growing motorsport, which provides the group a spot for future events to feature their Frankenstein Mower modifications.

A garden tractor pull essentially is the same as a normal tractor pull: whose engine has the most power and is built to handle pulling a weight that during the course of a run that could go hundreds of yards will make it. The weight shifts during a run, so the further the tractor makes it down a straight dirt course to drag the sled, the harder the engine and tires have to work to keep forward momentum and traction.

Older lawnmowers and garden tractors – think from brands like John Deere, International and others who used to make yard equipment – have to keep with stock motors built in, but those motors can be modified to provide the extra power needed to get down the course. The lawnmowers as well have added weights on the frame to keep their noses down as they pull, and extra wheels on the back for stability in case of wheelies.

Check out the Polk County Pullers page to follow along when they might have another event coming up. Potentially in November, but no dates have yet been announced.