Tractor pulling competitions take place on a 100 metre track, and involve the machines pulling a weight transfer sledge. A weight transfer sledge basically gets heavier to pull as it is pulled down the track. This is achieved by increasing the weight on the pan of the sledge by moving the weight box from the rear to the front of the sledge as the sledge is pulled forward. The winner of the competition is the machine that can pull the sledge the furthest.

If more than one competitor completes the 100 metre track with the sledge (a full pull), then the sledge is made harder to pull, and the competitors who made a full pull go again until they are stopped and a winner obtained.

Tractor pulling is called “The World’s Most Powerful Motor Sport” with some machines producing in excess of 9000 horsepower. However, the sport has many varied classes ranging from the small, single engined 950kg Modifieds, through the stock machines to the multi-engined 4.5 tonne machines. Here is a brief description of the classes which are competed at events with the North West Tractor Pulling Club. The weight of each class is the weight of the machine and driver ready to compete.