Longtime friends David Hess, 70, of Buchanan, and Pete Masten, 70, of Niles, have both been driving tractors since they were 7 or 8 years old. So naturally, the friends get a little competitive during the Cass County Fair’s farm and antique tractor pull.

Both Hess and Masten competed in the 3,500-pound antique tractor pull class Tuesday at the Grandstand. The goal of the competition is to get the tractor to pull various weights as far as possible.

The event typically draws a couple dozen people to watch from the stands. Tractors in the competition can be spotted straining so hard that sometimes the front wheels leave the ground.

This year, Hess won first place and used an antique tractor to pull 3,500 pounds to 257.12 feet.

Masten and Hess use the same type of tractor in the competition: a 1956 Super 66 Oliver. For fun, the friends switch tractors during the competition. This year, Hess won while driving Masten’s tractor. Coming in at 256.14 feet, Masten scored second in the antique tractor 3,500 class. 

“Isn’t that terrible?” Masten joked. “Do I want to beat him? Absolutely. I’m going to try again.”

First and second place winners earn a trophy and money. First place winners get  $65 and a trophy. Second place winners get $45 and a trophy. But money is no incentive to compete, they said.

“It’s the fun of doing it,” Hess said.

Both Masten and Hess attended Buchanan High School. The friends would often help each other repair and fix tractors. But during the tractor pulling competitions, it’s all business.

The tractors average about three  to three and a half miles an hour during the competition. Keeping the tractor balanced is key to keeping the front wheels on solid ground and getting more distance.

“I like to have it so the front end just wants to come off the ground,” Hess said. “Because then you have all the weight on the rear tires.”

Hess first started pulling tractors 52 years ago.

“It’s something you set your sights to try doing,” Hess said. “It is not so much beating another person as it is trying to beat yourself.”

Hess grew up on a family farm in Buchanan. He still tends the farm today and cultivates hay. The Super 66 Oliver tractor he used in the competition also helps out around the farm.

David Laport, 47, of Cassopolis, is also a longtime competitor of Cass County Fair tractor pulls. While knowing how to balance the weight being pulled and the tractor is one key to winning, luck is another factor, he said. The rest is a secret, Laport said.

Laport competed in the 15,000 pull with an International tractor and pulled the weight more than 300 feet, setting a personal best record for himself.

Laport has also inspired his sons, Deven, 13, and  Dustin, 14, to get in on the competition. While they cannot pull in the Cass County Fair because they are required to atleast have a driver’s license, they have competed at other area fairs. 

Laport said he most enjoys the competition because of the thrill of touting the thousands of pounds of weight with only a tractor.

Win or lose, those who competed could agree that the fun of the competition is the biggest draw.

“I had a nice time,” Masten said.

What’s next at the fair:

Wednesday

Law Enforcement Day, law enforcement gets free admission with ID

8 a.m. — Gate admission begins

8:30 a.m. — Youth horse show, western ranch and walk-trot pleasure, jumping versatility

9 a.m. — Youth beef show and youth Pee Wee/Cloverbud rabbit show

10 a.m. — Draft horse halter classes

1:30 p.m. — Youth goat show

2 p.m. — Carnival opens

5 p.m. — Youth draft horse show

6 p.m. — Youth horse and pony versatility

7 p.m. — Karaoke event prelims

7 p.m. — Free grandstand show: Caroline Kole

 

Winners of the antique tractor pull, weight 3,500 pounds:

First: David Hess, 257.12 feet

Second: Pete Masten, 256.14 feet

Third: Robert Dohm, 255.97 feet

Fourth: Dale Sherwood, 235. 40 feet

Fifth: Richard Doyle, 234. 12 feet

Sixth: Joseph Vanderwerf, 222. 92 feet