Horsepower! Tractor Pulling in the American Heartland

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Agriculture Byers Cars Documentaries Farming Francese Illinois Pulling Tractor
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  • Added: 10-Oct-06

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Driven by competitive spirit and the love of horsepower, tractor pulling is rural America's most underreported passion. In an era of over-hyped and over-paid athletic superstars, tractor pullers are the unsung heroes of motorsports—focused on community, competition, and the simple task at hand. On one level, tractor pulling is the most basic of contests—a rivalry to determine who has the most powerful machine. It is a sport nearly as old as agriculture itself. However, despite its simple roots, tractor pulling has developed a diverse and complex culture. Over 12 different classes of vehicles define modern tractor pulling, some using thousands of horsepower, multiple jet-fuel driven engines, and computerized turbochargers. They have one purpose only—to pull thousands of pounds only a few hundred feet. The individuals that design, maintain, and run these amazing machines are motivated by a love of adrenaline and an enthusiasm for the pull. Many have devoted years of their lives and countless dollars to the sport. And, most come from rural communities, where they have been farming for generations. This is the story of one uncle and nephew pulling team, Dennis and Rodney Schnitker, of Hoyleton, Illinois, and the tractors they build and pull. Dennis and Rodney describe the thrill of the pull, explain their thirty-year involvement in the sport, and reveal why they have consistently dominated the Midwest in their class. Their commentary is supported by vivid track-side footage that places the viewer in the stands and under the hood.

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Comments on

Horsepower! Tractor Pulling in the American Heartland

25 Comments | Add Comment
  • I wanna see one of ...

    I wanna see one of these go without a sled haha

    By ballsmclongschlong [Affiliate User] 1205812792 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Im goin to see ...

    Im goin to see rodney this weekend pull at duqoin IL I go to college with his boy right now nice vid

    By fasttalker83 [Affiliate User] 1204812869 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Great video! Cool ...

    Great video! Cool to hear some of the people involved talk about it!

    By MILMAG1 [Affiliate User] 1202629201 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • MAN!!!THIS IS GOLD! ...

    MAN!!!THIS IS GOLD!!!THNX M8 4 THIS SUPER COOL VID*****I LUV TRACTORS + TOP FULE*JJ Syd Australia

    By 000darkstar000 [Affiliate User] 1196048273 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • looks like my ...

    looks like my hometown of pana illinois.

    By coryvirden [Affiliate User] 1189675753 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • looks like my home ...

    looks like my home town of pana illinois

    By coryvirden [Affiliate User] 1189675697 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • well done!

    well done!

    By medfexer [Affiliate User] 1189515906 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Yeah man, I'm from ...

    Yeah man, I'm from britain and this is the first time i a documentary perspective. Very insightful! I'm looking up a meet in NC right now! :)

    By theRealCatinahat [Affiliate User] 1187899243 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • schnitkers tractors ...

    schnitkers tractors are the best in their class i see them all the time up north and down south in illinois

    By IHMan1066 [Affiliate User] 1187033925 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • yes case ih is the ...

    yes case ih is the best for tractor pulling but john deere r the best in the field.

    By jinx2744 [Affiliate User] 1185638366 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • oh yez the drag ...

    oh yez the drag racers looking guys are so loud closing ure ears doesnt hyelp

    By wetrix5555 [Affiliate User] 1185132828 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • in indiana they had ...

    in indiana they had tractors that looked like drag racers

    By wetrix5555 [Affiliate User] 1185132761 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Quite popular in ...

    Quite popular in Finland as well.

    By blehi [Affiliate User] 1184327158 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • There should be ...

    There should be some in canada, its not only in the u.s. Its also UK germany netherlands and australia where these are held. Google it.

    By DirgeOfCerberus [Affiliate User] 1183151727 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Does anyone know if ...

    Does anyone know if this sport is being held anywhere around Ontario (CANADA) I'm from Ottawa and would love to attend one... let me know!!
    Art (A Tractor Expert)

    By fragglerock5000 [Affiliate User] 1182092639 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • your Dam Right!!! ...

    your Dam Right!!! Cant be the tactor pulls all that raw power!!!!
    Dam!!!
    Art
    Ottawa CANADA

    By fragglerock5000 [Affiliate User] 1182092558 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • I agree!!!! Art ...

    I agree!!!!
    Art
    Ottawa CANADA

    By fragglerock5000 [Affiliate User] 1182092501 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Great video go red ...

    Great video go red power

    By crazy4dzney [Affiliate User] 1182020601 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Awsome love the vid!

    Awsome love the vid!

    By trex3779 [Affiliate User] 1181589281 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Bet it does wonders ...

    Bet it does wonders for the environment.

    By Norfolkscot [Affiliate User] 1181222344 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Those D&R machines ...

    Those D&R machines run harder than they let on lol with all the Green Machines Comming out of Tantrum they gots to be after the ITPA points after loosing by a couple to Little in 06

    By stx450 [Affiliate User] 1180883712 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Nicely done.

    Nicely done.

    By jlamoree [Affiliate User] 1178849868 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Thank you very much ...

    Thank you very much for making such a video to communicate our beloved sport. I pull in the local circuit with a few other people on my team. My father and I are the primary tech men on the team; building the engines, deciding tire pressures and where to run on the track. I must say a full length 1 hour or even 30 minute special to be aired on TV would be awesome!

    By cktsantiago [Affiliate User] 1175591957 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • the wheel speeds ...

    the wheel speeds are in excess of 100mph if that says anything...

    By cktsantiago [Affiliate User] 1175591847 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Keep making more! ...

    Keep making more! we can always use more fans to the itpa.

    By bbeckem [Affiliate User] 1175447125 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
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