National Tractor Pullers Association
Encyclopedia
The National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA) is a national tractor pulling
sanctioning body in the United States. It was born of a need to unify the rules and classes in the sport of truck and tractor pulling.
, Indiana
, Iowa
, Michigan
, Minnesota
, Missouri
, Ohio
, and Pennsylvania
) to establish uniform rules and provide structure to the sport of truck
and tractor pulling
. Throughout the years, the NTPA has been instrumental in implementation of safety standards in the sport, and is the governing body from which most other truck and tractor pulling organizations, foreign or domestic, copy their rules. Since 1987, the NTPA has been managed by the World Pulling International, Inc, whom also is a marketing department and publications department of the NTPA.
.
fair
s.
These are the pulling tractors that look like their stock counterparts, and MUST retain stock sheet metal, as per NTPA rules. Although John Deere
and International
tractors are the most prevalent, most other big-name makes are represented throughout the stock classes. While most of these classes mandate the use of diesel fuel only, the Super Stock Open tractors are allowed to use alcohol
as a fuel source.
Stock Classes
The modified tractor classes are the pulling classes that are least like their stock counterparts. Most all modified tractors sport multiple engines. The number and type of engines vary from tractor to tractor. Engines used in these classes come from automotive, aviation, agricultural, or transportation sources. Popular engines are Chevrolet
automotive engines, V-12 Allison
aircraft
engines, Lycoming
jet engine
s, farm tractor engines (such as John Deere or IH), or Detroit Diesel
truck
engines. The modified class has a limit on types and numbers of engines that can be used on each tractor. The Unlimited Class has no such limit, but instead limits the number of engines that can be used via a strict maximum weight limit.
Modified Classes
These unique vehicles look a bit like the modified tractors, but sport smaller tires, and only a single automotive-type engine.
Mini Rod Class
dragster
s. They feature elongated bodies, and oversized rear tires. Most also have "blowers
" sticking through their hoods. In the late 1990s, the NTPA outlawed the use of T-Bucket
roadster
s in the TWD class. Recent years have seen the return of these popular open cockpit pulling trucks.
TWD Class
Looking the closest to their stock counterparts in the truck classes, the FWD, or Four Wheel Drive
class actually is a highly modified class. FDW is the only class that has steerable drive wheels (The Semi classes have 4 driving wheels, but all 4 axles are straight). Although the 4x4 Super Stock Diesel Trucks run on diesel fuel, the other FWD classes have the choice of using either methanol
or gasoline
, with most competitors choosing methanol.
FWD Classes
Semi Classes
inked a multi-year deal to air National Tractor Pulling on its network. All Super National events, a select few Grand National events, and the Enderly Pull-off events are aired. 26 new episodes will be aired each year, with the entire series being repeated again later in the year. The new show airs on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm, with re-airs on Wednesday Mornings at 3:30 am and 10:30 am, and Saturday at 3:pm. All times are Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Various tractors from the NTPA have appeared on the History Channel's program Modern Marvels
12th season episode "World's Strongest".
NTPA tractors have also appeared on Discovery Network
's Travel Channel
show "Kings of the Road" episode "Tractor Pull Showdown."
Tractor pulling
Truck and Tractor pulling, also known as power pulling, is a motorsport competition, popular in America, Europe , Australia and Brazil, which requires modified tractors to pull a heavy sledge along a 35ft. wide and length of 100 metre or 300ft+ track, with the winner being the tractor that pulls...
sanctioning body in the United States. It was born of a need to unify the rules and classes in the sport of truck and tractor pulling.
History
The NTPA was founded in 1969 by representatives of eight states (IllinoisIllinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, and Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
) to establish uniform rules and provide structure to the sport of truck
Truck
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an automobile...
and tractor pulling
Tractor pulling
Truck and Tractor pulling, also known as power pulling, is a motorsport competition, popular in America, Europe , Australia and Brazil, which requires modified tractors to pull a heavy sledge along a 35ft. wide and length of 100 metre or 300ft+ track, with the winner being the tractor that pulls...
. Throughout the years, the NTPA has been instrumental in implementation of safety standards in the sport, and is the governing body from which most other truck and tractor pulling organizations, foreign or domestic, copy their rules. Since 1987, the NTPA has been managed by the World Pulling International, Inc, whom also is a marketing department and publications department of the NTPA.
Super National
Several times per year, large events are held in key locations for certain classes. These events are televised on RFD-TVRFD-TV
RFD-TV, or Rural Free Delivery TV, is a United States satellite and cable television channel devoted to rural issues, concerns, and interests. The channel's name is a reference to Rural Free Delivery, the name for the United States Postal Service's system of delivering mail directly to rural patrons...
.
Super National Events
- Bowling Green, OhioBowling Green, OhioBowling Green is the county seat of Wood County in the U.S. state of Ohio. At the time of the 2010 census, the population of Bowling Green was 30,028. It is part of the Toledo, Ohio Metropolitan Statistical Area. Bowling Green is the home of Bowling Green State University...
- Chapel Hill, TennesseeChapel Hill, TennesseeChapel Hill is a town in the northeastern part of Marshall County, Tennessee, United States. The town was named after Chapel Hill, North Carolina by settlers from that area...
- Tomah, WisconsinTomah, WisconsinTomah is a city in Monroe County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 9,093. The city is located partially within the Town of Tomah.-Education:...
Grand National
The NTPA's Grand National Division comprises varying classes ranging from Farm Stock to the Diesel Four Wheel Drives. It is a touring series, and holds events throughout the US and Canada.Grand National Events
- Wilmington, OhioWilmington, OhioWilmington is a city in and the county seat of Clinton County, Ohio, United States. The population was 12,520 at the 2010 census. At city entrances from state routes, county roads, and U.S. highways, the city slogan of "We Honor Our Champions" is seen, accompanied by signs that highlight various...
- Georgetown, OhioGeorgetown, OhioGeorgetown is a village in Brown County, Ohio, United States. The population was 3,691 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Brown County. Georgetown was the childhood home of Ulysses S...
- Troy, MissouriTroy, MissouriTroy is a city in Lincoln County, Missouri, United States. As of the 2010 census the population was 10,540. It is the county seat of Lincoln County.Troy is part of the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- Jerseyville, IllinoisJerseyville, IllinoisJerseyville is a city in Jersey County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 U.S. census, the city had a total population of 8,465. It is the county seat of Jersey County, and is also the largest city in the county. The city's current mayor is Richard Perdun.Jerseyville is a part of Southern...
- Montgomery City, MissouriMontgomery City, MissouriMontgomery City is a city in Montgomery County, Missouri, United States. The population was 2,442 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Montgomery County.-Geography:Montgomery City is located at...
- Dubuque, IowaDubuque, IowaDubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
- Ionia, MichiganIonia, MichiganIonia is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Ionia County, Michigan, United States. The population was 11,394 at the 2010 census. Every late July it hosts what may be the world's largest free-admission fair...
- Brandenburg, KentuckyBrandenburg, KentuckyBrandenburg is a city in Meade County, Kentucky, United States, along the Ohio River. The population was 2,049 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Meade County.-History:...
- St. Hyacinthe, Quebec,(Invitational)
- Monroe, MichiganMonroe, MichiganMonroe is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 20,733 at the 2010 census. It is the largest city and county seat of Monroe County. The city is bordered on the south by Monroe Charter Township, but both are politically independent. The city is located approximately 14 miles ...
- Mount Sterling, IllinoisMount Sterling, IllinoisMount Sterling is a city in Brown County, Illinois, USA. The population was 2,070 at the 2000 census. It is also the county seat.-Geography:Mount Sterling is located at ....
- Salem, IllinoisSalem, IllinoisSalem is a city located in the U.S. state of Illinois. It is the county seat of Marion County. The population was 7,485 at the 2010 census.Salem is the birthplace of William Jennings Bryan and his brother vice presidential candidate Charles W. Bryan, the G. I. Bill of Rights, and Miracle Whip salad...
- Sandusky, OhioSandusky, OhioSandusky is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Erie County. It is located in northern Ohio and is situated on the shores of Lake Erie, almost exactly half-way between Toledo to the west and Cleveland to the east....
- Saluda, South CarolinaSaluda, South CarolinaSaluda is a town in Saluda County, South Carolina, along the Little Saluda River. The population was 3,066 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Saluda County.Saluda is part of the Columbia, South Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- Wellington, OhioWellington, OhioWellington is a village in Lorain County, Ohio, United States. The population was 4,511 at the 2000 census.-History:Wellington was settled in 1818 by Ephraim Wilcox, Charles Sweet, William T. Welling, John Clifford, and Joseph Wilson from the states of Massachusetts and New York...
- Fort Recovery, OhioFort Recovery, OhioFort Recovery is a village in Mercer County, Ohio, United States. The population was 1,273 at the 2000 census. The village is near the location of Fort Recovery, first established in 1793 under orders from General Anthony Wayne....
- Jefferson City, MissouriJefferson City, MissouriJefferson City is the capital of the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Cole County. Located in Callaway and Cole counties, it is the principal city of the Jefferson City metropolitan area, which encompasses the entirety of both counties. As of the 2010 census, the population was 43,079...
- Connersville, IndianaConnersville, IndianaAt the 2000 census, there were 15,411 people, 6,382 households and 4,135 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,894.5 per square mile . There were 6,974 housing units at an average density of 857.3 per square mile...
- Essex Junction, VermontEssex Junction, VermontEssex Junction is a village in the town of Essex in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The population was 8,591 at the 2000 census. It was incorporated on November 15, 1892....
- Sandwich, IllinoisSandwich, IllinoisSandwich is a city in DeKalb, Kendall, and LaSalle counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 6,509 at the 2000 census. The 2008 population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau for the city is 7,337.-History:...
- Urbana, OhioUrbana, OhioUrbana is a city in and the county seat of Champaign County, Ohio, United States, west of Columbus. Urbana was laid out in 1805, and for a time in 1812 was the headquarters of the Northwestern army. Urbana was named after the town of Urbanna, Virginia. It is the burial-place of the Indian fighter...
(Enderle Pull-Off) (also a Regional National event)
Regional National
Th NTPA's Regional National classes are the ones most often seen at local events, and county and/or stateState fair
A state fair is a competitive and recreational gathering of a U.S. state's population. It is a larger version of a county fair, often including only exhibits or competitors that have won in their categories at the more-local county fairs....
fair
Fair
A fair or fayre is a gathering of people to display or trade produce or other goods, to parade or display animals and often to enjoy associated carnival or funfair entertainment. It is normally of the essence of a fair that it is temporary; some last only an afternoon while others may ten weeks. ...
s.
- Region 2 (IndianaIndianaIndiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, OhioOhioOhio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, MichiganMichiganMichigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
) - Region 3 (WisconsinWisconsinWisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, MinnesotaMinnesotaMinnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
) - Region 4 (North CarolinaNorth CarolinaNorth Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
) - Region 5 (IowaIowaIowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
)
Stock
Deere & Company
Deere & Company, usually known by its brand name John Deere , is an American corporation based in Moline, Illinois, and the leading manufacturer of agricultural machinery in the world. In 2010, it was listed as 107th in the Fortune 500 ranking...
and International
International Harvester
International Harvester Company was a United States agricultural machinery, construction equipment, vehicle, commercial truck, and household and commercial products manufacturer. In 1902, J.P...
tractors are the most prevalent, most other big-name makes are represented throughout the stock classes. While most of these classes mandate the use of diesel fuel only, the Super Stock Open tractors are allowed to use alcohol
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
as a fuel source.
Stock Classes
- Farm Stock Tractors
- Super Farm Tractors
- Pro Farm Tractors
- Super Stock Diesel Tractors
- Light Super Stock Tractors
- Heavy Super Stock Tractors
- Super Stock Open Tractors
Modified
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
automotive engines, V-12 Allison
Allison Engine Company
The Allison Engine Company was a U.S. aircraft engine manufacturer. In 1929, shortly after the death of James Allison, the company was purchased by the Fisher brothers. Fisher sold the company to General Motors, who owned it for most of its history...
aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
engines, Lycoming
Lycoming
Lycoming Engines is a U.S. aircraft engine company, known primarily for its general aviation engines. For most of its history Lycoming has been part of the AVCO group as AVCO Lycoming. In 1987 AVCO was purchased by Textron to become Textron Lycoming...
jet engine
Jet engine
A jet engine is a reaction engine that discharges a fast moving jet to generate thrust by jet propulsion and in accordance with Newton's laws of motion. This broad definition of jet engines includes turbojets, turbofans, rockets, ramjets, pulse jets...
s, farm tractor engines (such as John Deere or IH), or Detroit Diesel
Detroit Diesel
As a corporation, Daimler Trucks North America has decided to rename the company "DETROIT".Detroit Diesel Corporation is an American-based diesel engine producer headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, USA...
truck
Truck
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an automobile...
engines. The modified class has a limit on types and numbers of engines that can be used on each tractor. The Unlimited Class has no such limit, but instead limits the number of engines that can be used via a strict maximum weight limit.
Modified Classes
- Modified Tractors
- Unlimited Modified Tractors
Mini Modifieds
Mini Rod Class
- Mini Modified Tractors
TWD (Two Wheel Drive Trucks)
Nicknamed "Funny cars" by competitors, these high powered pulling machines do tend to look a bit like Funny CarFunny Car
Funny Car is a drag racing car class. In the United States, other "professional" classes are Top Fuel, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle. Funny cars have forward-mounted engines and carbon fiber automotive bodies over the chassis, giving them an appearance vaguely approximating manufacturers'...
dragster
Drag racing
Drag racing is a competition in which specially prepared automobiles or motorcycles compete two at a time to be the first to cross a set finish line, from a standing start, in a straight line, over a measured distance, most commonly a ¼-mile straight track....
s. They feature elongated bodies, and oversized rear tires. Most also have "blowers
Supercharger
A supercharger is an air compressor used for forced induction of an internal combustion engine.The greater mass flow-rate provides more oxygen to support combustion than would be available in a naturally aspirated engine, which allows more fuel to be burned and more work to be done per cycle,...
" sticking through their hoods. In the late 1990s, the NTPA outlawed the use of T-Bucket
Ford Model T
The Ford Model T is an automobile that was produced by Henry Ford's Ford Motor Company from September 1908 to May 1927...
roadster
Roadster
A roadster is a two-seat open car with emphasis on sporty handling and without a fixed roof or side weather protection. Strictly speaking a roadster with wind-up windows is a convertible but as true roadsters are no longer made the distinction is now irrelevant...
s in the TWD class. Recent years have seen the return of these popular open cockpit pulling trucks.
TWD Class
- Two Wheel Drive Trucks
FWD (Four Wheel Drive Trucks)
Four Wheel Drive
The Four Wheel Drive Auto Company, more often known as Four Wheel Drive or just FWD, was founded in 1909 in Clintonville, Wisconsin, as the Badger Four-Wheel Drive Auto Company by Otto Zachow and William Besserdich.-History:...
class actually is a highly modified class. FDW is the only class that has steerable drive wheels (The Semi classes have 4 driving wheels, but all 4 axles are straight). Although the 4x4 Super Stock Diesel Trucks run on diesel fuel, the other FWD classes have the choice of using either methanol
Methanol
Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, wood naphtha or wood spirits, is a chemical with the formula CH3OH . It is the simplest alcohol, and is a light, volatile, colorless, flammable liquid with a distinctive odor very similar to, but slightly sweeter than, ethanol...
or gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline , or petrol , is a toxic, translucent, petroleum-derived liquid that is primarily used as a fuel in internal combustion engines. It consists mostly of organic compounds obtained by the fractional distillation of petroleum, enhanced with a variety of additives. Some gasolines also contain...
, with most competitors choosing methanol.
FWD Classes
- Light Four Wheel Drive Trucks
- Super Stock Four Wheel Drive Trucks
- Four Wheel Drive Trucks
- 4x4 Super Stock Diesel Trucks
Semi
The semi classes are the closest to stock form of all of the NTPA classes. Looking like, using stock engine blocks, and stock frames, these are also the heaviest of all of the classes, with a maximum weight of 20,000 pounds.Semi Classes
- Super Semi
- Pro Stock Semi
TV
In 2005, the NTPA and satellite/cable network RFD-TVRFD-TV
RFD-TV, or Rural Free Delivery TV, is a United States satellite and cable television channel devoted to rural issues, concerns, and interests. The channel's name is a reference to Rural Free Delivery, the name for the United States Postal Service's system of delivering mail directly to rural patrons...
inked a multi-year deal to air National Tractor Pulling on its network. All Super National events, a select few Grand National events, and the Enderly Pull-off events are aired. 26 new episodes will be aired each year, with the entire series being repeated again later in the year. The new show airs on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm, with re-airs on Wednesday Mornings at 3:30 am and 10:30 am, and Saturday at 3:pm. All times are Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Various tractors from the NTPA have appeared on the History Channel's program Modern Marvels
Modern Marvels
Modern Marvels is a documentary television series that premiered on January 1, 1995 on History. The program focuses on how technologies affect and are used in today's society....
12th season episode "World's Strongest".
NTPA tractors have also appeared on Discovery Network
Discovery Network
A Discovery Network is a community that can include commercial, academic, governmental and independent entities collaborating together and coordinating their efforts to enrich society with new material goods and services, and extracting some value from doing so...
's Travel Channel
Travel Channel
The Travel Channel is a satellite and cable television channel that is headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland, US. It features documentaries and how-to shows related to travel and leisure around the United States and throughout the world. Programming has included shows in African animal safaris,...
show "Kings of the Road" episode "Tractor Pull Showdown."