Elizabeth Massa of Russell is “hooked” on tractor pulls and will be participating in the Western Mass. Tractor Pullers Association’s competition May 15. (Photo courtesy of Rick Shea)
WESTFIELD – It’s not the speed – it’s the distance – that drives individuals to compete in antique tractor pulling.
Elizabeth Massa, a plumber by trade, has been pulling for three years, thanks to an invitation by her neighbor Paul Pappas. Massa will be among the competitors May 15 when the Western Mass. Tractor Pullers Association hosts an event at the Westfield Fairgrounds.
“Paul Pappas invited me to a tractor pull three years ago,” she said. “I tried one pull on his 1951 Farmall H and was hooked.”
Massa said she was “pretty good” at the start.
“I joined the club and have been pulling with the association and at other events like Granby Charter Days and tractor shows ever since,” she said.
Massa said she has become known as the “tractor girl from Russell.”
“My nickname is Hottie,” she said. “It gets me away from my long stressful working days as a bookkeeper and a licensed plumber.”
Massa said she currently is the second place point’s holder in western Massachusetts.
The May 15 event starts at 9 a.m. and typically runs until 4 or 5 p.m.
“We start with the lowest weight class of tractor, 2,500 pounds, and move heavier throughout the day, up to 14,000 pounds,” she said. “We have stock tractor classes, as well as modified, including diesel. We do follow our official rules for pulling to keep it fair.”
Massa said she pulls with an antique 1951 International Harvester Farmall H, a 1940 International Harvester Farmall M, and a 1946 International Harvester Farmall H in different weight classes.
The association conducts antique tractor pull competitions in western Massachusetts each year, and each pull is for points, and all pulls are recorded and tallied. At the end of the pulling season, the association conducts a banquet and awards trophies for total points for the year.
“The association is made up of primarily local business owners and farmers,” she said. “Times have been changing and the past few years have brought in some young blood to our group and along with that new tractors and new classes. It is a great mix of people.”
Antique tractor pulling is a competition to see which tractor can pull the most and the farthest in each weight class offered. Massa said that pulling is “technical” and many factors go into either a “full pull” to the end of the track, or “only getting” five feet.
“Tractors are made to be work horses, and pulling serious amounts of weight is their specialty,” said Massa.
Massa added that competitors pull on dirt, chained to either a metal sled stacked with concrete weights or a transfer sled which is a mechanical weight distribution sled.
“I prefer stone boat,” she said. “I can steer my tractor to the best places on the track, avoid ruts and look for good hard ground where my tractor gets a good grip and I can pull far without getting stuck and sent into a wheel spin which at that point my pull ends.”
Massa said that spectators can enjoy seeing the machines at work.
“There are many different makes and models of tractors that show up to pull, including the favorite John Deere and International Harvesters,” she said. “Quite a few of our current member’s tractors have been fully restored and are beautiful specimens.”
Massa noted that spectators can get “up close and personal” with the tractors.
“Kids love to get up on these real life toys,” she said. “I enjoy getting the crowd excited at the pulls when I pull high wheelies with my tractors. I once did a complete pull at the Blandford Fair in a wheelie all the way down the track which really got the crowd going. It is great fun, good noise and good times.”
Individuals interested in participating in the competition must become a member of the association which costs $25 in annual dues. Additionally, each pull is $8.
“We pay to pull but there is no cash payout,” she said. “We get ribbons and trophies, and most importantly, bragging rights.”
Massa added the association has members from as far away as Albany, N.Y. All of their events are free to the public with the exception of the pulls that are conducted during the fairs, including the Westfield Fair, Blandford Fair, and Charlemont Fair.
“Each of us do our share and help out at the pulls,” she said. “Some of our friends and family volunteer and help out. We have a stone boat sled as well as a transfer sled, and heavy equipment to move things around. We all take part in hooking and measuring pulls and donate our equipment, fuel and also provide food.”
Massa said when the association’s pulls are not part of a fair; there are volunteers who set up a grill and offer hamburgers, hot dogs, as well as sodas, cookies and chips.
“We sell at cost and have coffee and doughnuts in the morning,” she said.
Massa encourages area residents who have not attended a pulling competition to consider attending their event.
“We are a mixed group of people who genuinely love our tractors and the sport of pulling,” she said. “The sound and smell of the tractors is energizing, the beauty of the machines is amazing, and the look on our faces when we pull is pure enjoyment. I look forward to every pulling event and spending a day with great people.”
