CATO - John Deeres, Farmalls and other classic tractors began gathering early in the field along North Street in Cato for the annual Cato Fire Department Antique Tractor and Truck Pull Sunday morning.

The event, a fundraiser for the fire department, began in the early 1990s.

Since then department members Ron Dennison and Larry Wallace have been overseeing the proceedings.

“We really needed to raise funds,” Dennison said. “This has always been a farming community so we thought why not do something to get these tractors out and ever since then it has been going pretty well.”

When the pulls first started they were geared primarily toward tractors from the pre-1960s, but this year it was decided to expand to include pre-1980s vehicles as well to accommodate the changing drivers that are entering the contest.

“We decided to change because we are getting younger people entering the contest,” Dennison said. “They weren't around when these older tractors were, so they really don't know about them and we decided to open it up a little bit more to get more people involved.”

The rules of the pull itself are simple.Tractors are designated into competition categories by weight and hooked up to a sled.

As the tractors begin to pull the sled begins to dig into the earth and at the same time a weighted box moves up the sled creating greater and greater friction and resistance slowing the tractor down as it pulls.

“I'd say the sled weighs around 5,000 pounds,” Dennison said. “And we probably add about 5,000 pounds before we are done. But they aren't pulling for weight; they are pulling for distance, to see how far they can go with all that weight.”

Dennison said that over the years the pull drew as many as 300 participants competing in the various classes and with competitors allowed to enter multiple categories of competition, this year was well on the mark.

“With the price of gas and everything I think we got a few less people,” Dennison said. “But I think we are on track and right around the 150 mark for today.”

Among those making the trip to compete was Mark Kerrick, of Elbridge. Kerrick brought along two tractors; a 1959 John Deere 720 and a 1956 Farmall.

Kerrick, like many of the competitors, said that over the years a lot of work has gone into his vehicles, so much so that they are no longer truly considered farm equipment and have become a proud show and competition piece.

“Once you get them the way you want them you don't have to do too much work anymore,” Kerrick said. “But they have had a lot of work and now they really won't work on a farm anymore. So I try to get out to (tractor pulls) every weekend, I've been here (Cato) a few times years ago. These pulls are a lot of fun really exciting.”

Dennison said that along with competitors, the pull also brings out a lot of friends and family members to cheer on and give support.

“Most people around here grew up on farms,” Dennison said. “So we do get a lot of family out here. This is just something that gets in your blood and we get parents and grandparents and kids out here cheering everybody on, but they are involved with the tractors one way or the other.”

The fire department will be hosting another tractor pull on Aug. 19.

For more information or to get involved contact either Larry Wallace at 626-6838 or Ron Dennison at 626-2416