United Pullers of Iowa (UPI)

UPI is the Iowa state branch of the National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA), the sport’s oldest and most respected truck and tractor pulling organization. Created in 2000, UPI is comprised of 5 dedicated board members and numerous competing members. During the summer and fall competing members gather to show their horsepower in a pulling competition where they earn points for distance traveled at each event. At the end of the season the top three point winners are honored at a banquet.

Our Sponsors are:
Farmers Win Coop
Plainfield Welding & Repair
Harrison Truck Centers
Randie Mueller Pioneer
Cen-pe-co Lubricants

What You Will See at an Event

Tractor and truck pulling is a heavy motorsport. The goal of the vehicle is to be the strongest machine and be the best driver. This motorsport is not about speed but rather distance. These modified farm tractors and trucks pull a metal sled down a 30 foot wide by a 320 foot long track. The sled contains a box that is filled with weight which is mechanically winched forward as the sled is pulled down the track. As the weight box moves the load becomes heavier and heavier which causes the vehicle to lose momentum. The goal of the driver is to get the sled to the end of the track which is rare and known as a “full pull.” The distance from the starting position to the point where the vehicle stopped is measured in thousandths of a foot. The truck or tractor who pulls the sled the furthest distance is the winner. If there is more than one competitor who reaches the “full pull” mark, a pull off is held to determine the winner.

The tractors and trucks may look like standard-issue farm equipment but you will not see these vehicles out pulling a plow or wagon. Tractor and truck pulling is a sport based on horsepower and torque, this means that the engines must be specially modified to generate the greatest amount of power possible. Various classes organize the vehicles based on limitations, rules, and regulations to keep the competition fair.

The classes that are seen at various events include:

LSS = Light Super Stock
LLSS = Light Limited Super Stock
HSS = Heavy Super Stock
HSSD = Heavy Super Stock, Diesel Only
SSD = Super Stock Diesel
SSO = Super Stock Open
SF = Super Farm
PS = Pro Stock
LT PS = Light Pro Stock
LIM PS = Limited Pro Stock
PF = Pro Farm
HF = Hot Farm
TWD = Two Wheel Drive
FWD = Four Wheel Drive
PSD 4x4 = Pro Stock Diesel Four Wheel Drive
SSD 4x4 = Super Stock Diesel Four Wheel Drive
LT FWD = Light Four Wheel Drive
PS-4x4 = Pro Stock Four Wheel Drive
PS-SEMI = Pro Stock Semi
SEMI = Super Semi
MINI = Modified Mini
LT UNL = Light Unlimited
MOD = Modified
UNL = Unlimited