Machines are hooked up to a weight transfer sled during the competition
Hunter Donaruma, the junior class winner in the garden tractor pull at the Hunterdon County 4-H Fair, with fair official Irvin Hockebury. (Courtesy photo by Vilma Hockenbury)Just like the pulling contest for farm tractors at the Hunterdon County 4-H and Agricultural Fair, there's a competition for garden tractors.
There are classes for adult men, juniors and women in the garden tractor pull, held Saturday. Here are the results:In both the big tractor and garden tractor contests, the machines are hooked up to a weight transfer sled. The further the tractor makes it down the clay-covered track, the more weight on the transfer sled moves ahead, making it harder to pull. Finally the tractor comes to a stop, usually with the tires spinning.
Junior class, 900 pound tractor
First Place, Hunter Donaruma, 16, of Flemington operating a Cub Cadet drove 120 feet, 8 inches.
Second, Kenny Modica, 11, of Milford on a Cub 70. Drove 106 feet, 7 inches.
Third, Greg Sampson, 16, of Ringoes on an unspecified tractor. Drove 68 feet, 9 inches.
Adult 900 pound class
First place, Scott Rasile of Flemington on a Wheel Horse. Drove 95 feet.
Second, John Rasile of Flemington on a Sears SS. Drove 73 feet even.
Third, Tyler Golis of Flemington on a Cub Cadet 1200. Drove 57 feet, 5 inches. (He also participated in the truck pulling contest held as part of the farm tractor event and took third place.)
Adult 1,000 pound class
First place, Steven Heeres of Washington on a Cub Cadet. Drove 148 feet, 7 inches.
Second, Oliver Balarawski of Neshanic Station on a Case 444. Drove 113 feet, 7 inches.
Third, Scott Rasile of Flemington on a Cub Cadet. Went 98 feet.
Adult 1,100 pound class
First place, Hotse Heeres of Washington on a Cub Cadet drove 150 feet for a "full pull," the length of the track.
Second, Todd Smith of Milford on a Cub 582. Traveled 144 feet, 10 inches.
Third, Kenny Modica Sr. on a Cub 1050. Drove 96 feet, 2 inches.
Women, 900 pound class
First place, Nicole Modica of Milford on a Cub 70. Went 92 feet.
People will soon start thinking about competing with their tractors next year. The current rules and regulations can be found online at www.HUNTERDONCOUNTYFAIR.com although some changes may be made for 2017.
This item was submitted by Terence Wright.