Across the Acres: Why do you tractor pull?

Frank Berg

Hector | Renville County

Why do you tractor pull? Pulling with family is the fun part, along with being around other tractor people. But I also enjoy the competition.

How long have you been tractor pulling, and how many events do you pull at each year? I have been pulling since 1973, with a couple of years off in the 1980s. I pull at about 12 different events each year, with the furthest being about a two-hour drive.

How did you get into the sport, and what do you enjoy about it? I pulled at the Meeker County Fair just for fun, and after that, I was hooked.

What is your favorite tractor to pull with? It started out being my International Harvester 806, and now it is my IH 1466. It’s the biggest one, and it’s a little hot, so that’s the one my boys let me drive.

Who is part of your pulling team and what do they help you with? My two sons and one grandson pull with me. They throw weights for me.

How much time do you spend on tractor pulling? Each pull is different. It could be one hour helping out to get the track ready, or it could take a whole day. Fueling the tractors and loading them takes some time, but we’ve got a system, and it works well. I wash them in the spring and get them waxed so they look nice, but after that it is just doing repairs when they are needed. When we go to pulls, we’re there late into the night because we stay until the end and watch.

What has been your greatest success (or best pull) you have had? I’ve had several first-place pulls, but I am happy with third place, too. Taking a trophy home to add to the collection is always nice.

Davis (from Left), Shawn and Dylan Olson
Sauk Centre
Stearns County

Why do you tractor pull? We pull for the thrill of it. We all share similar interests, like the competitiveness and figuring out how we can get more horsepower.

How long have you been tractor pulling, and how many events do you pull at each year? Shawn has been pulling the longest on and off since his youth and has gotten more involved again within the last 10 as his sons began pulling. The family makes it to as many pulls as they can ranging from 10-20 events each year.

How did you get into the sport, and what do you enjoy about it? Shawn got into tractor pulling with his father, Lonney, Grandpa Virden and uncles. He enjoys spending time with family and learning more about the sport. Dylan and Davis were both introduced to the sport by their grandfather. They enjoy making memories with friends, family and the feeling of freedom as they are headed down the track.

What is your favorite tractor to pull with? Why? Shawn pulls an 856 International Harvester that he built himself. Dylan and Davis pull a 686 International Harvester, which Dylan has modified to what it is today. The boys like the horsepower and the speed of the 686.

Who is part of your pulling team, and what do they help you with? The Olson family works together as a team, including Shawn’s wife, Jessica; his father, Lonney; and his wife, Charlie, along with cousins and uncles. They help with everything from repairs, paint, washing, loading and unloading, hauling, and moral support.

How much time do you spend on tractor pulling (include preparation time and pulling time)? Explain. Year-round, the Olsons are rebuilding and improving their tractors, spending countless hours in the shop, on the road and on the track. It’s been 10 years in the making, and there is always something to work on before, during and after each season. They are often at the track for three to four hours waiting around to pull and watching the other competitors.

What has been your greatest success (or best pull) you have had? Shawn’s greatest success is loading up at the end of the night and nothing is broken. Dylan’s greatest success was beating some other pullers they had yet to beat in Benton County. Davis’ greatest success is also his greatest loss, and that’s seeing his brother’s smile after he beats him.

Dale Groskreutz

Litchfield | Meeker County

Why do you tractor pull? I tractor pull for the camaraderie and the competition. There is a group of us, and we enjoy getting together. When newcomers come along, they aren’t newcomers for long.

How long have you been tractor pulling, and how many events do you pull at each year? I have been pulling since the mid-1980s. I attend around a dozen pulls each year and usually pull twice in two different weight classes. Sometimes I bring two tractors with me. At my local show, the Forest City Threshers, I may pull up to four different tractors.

How did you get into the sport, and what do you enjoy about it? I got into pulling at the Meeker County Fair with a stock farm tractor that I planted and cultivated with. I have been at it since. I kind of like being the dark horse, the one without the painted-up tractors. People don’t necessarily think I’m going to win or compete like the shiny painted-up tractors.

What is your favorite tractor to pull with? The last few years, I have been mostly pulling my Farmall 706 diesel. I have done a lot of work on it, so it fits into the improved classes.

Who is part of your pulling team, and what do they help you with? I grew up running a 706 that was my dad’s. I really do not have a team, but my son comes to some events and helps throw weights for me. When he comes, he also pulls in one class.

How much time do you spend on tractor pulling? I might spend 50 hours working on it each year to keep it competitive. Each time I pull, I need to adjust weight location, hitch height and tire pressure, depending on which track I’m going to. I may drive as far as two hours to get to the track. Most of the pulls I attend are small-town pulls that take place along with the town summer celebration.

What has been your greatest success (or best pull) you have had? I have shelves full of first-, second- and third-place trophies. But putting together a tractor that will win consistently is something I am proud of.

Hayden Kalina

Lowry | Pope County

Why do you tractor pull? I was born into it; my dad has been doing it since the ’80s, and it’s been fun. It’s a good hobby.

How long have you been tractor pulling, and how many events do you pull at each year? I started pulling in 2018. It slowed down in 2020 with the coronavirus pandemic when a lot of the smaller pulls weren’t happening. But by 2021, almost everything came back around. I pull at about 20 or so events each year. I enjoy traveling around to other area pulls. My dad travels to North Dakota and throughout Minnesota. I usually stay a little closer to home and travel up to two hours away for the events in which I compete.

How did you get into the sport and what do you enjoy about it? I got into it because my dad, grandpa and brothers had been pulling for quite some time. I started on an 880 Oliver and went from there. While it’s a competition, everybody out there treats you like family, so it’s fun.

What is your favorite tractor to pull with? My dad’s old 880 Oliver. It’s an open-class tractor so you can go 23 mph down the track. It’s the first tractor my dad started pulling with, so it’s been around a while. I have a few other tractors I like to pull in the stock classes, and I am building another tractor to pull with right now, so that one will be fun to pull with, too.

Who is part of your pulling team, and what do they help you with? My dad, my brother and my grandpa are usually right there with me. They pull weights and help me out at home if I need it. I have a couple of buddies who are usually at the pulls and will help me out, too, if I need it.

How much time do you spend on tractor pulling? This year has been a lot since I am in the process of building another tractor. It is too much, probably, but also not enough. Sometimes, I have had to pull an all-nighter if there is a pull the next day. I iron out the kinks from the previous year over the winter and spring and hope for the best when I go to my first pull for the season. Whatever happens from there, I just work it out throughout the year.

What has been your greatest success (or best pull) you have had? Pulling against my dad and brother and beating them. It’s good competition, so it’s fun to pull against them. We have a wall in the shop dedicated to our trophies, so we compete for bragging rights. It goes both ways, but I’ve probably beaten them a dozen times or so. County fairs are probably my favorite event because there are more people and fun things to do while you’re waiting around. The antique pulls are also pretty fun to attend.