Barron County’s Safe Tractor Driving Contest Farm Technology Days 2013

Chairperson/Pete Kolpack, Rice Lake FFA Advisor

The 2013 Wisconsin FFA State Safe Tractor Driving Contest was held on the Tuesday of Farm Technology Days in Barron County. The information for setting up the course is found on the Wisconsin FFA website ( The Rice Lake Agriculture Dept. had the needed equipment to set-up the course which consisted of PVC poles, stakes for the poles to sit on, golf balls, and twine.

The equipment that is needed for this contest: three tractors, a two-wheel trailer, a four-wheel wagon, and an area to administer the test. It is recommended that all of the tractors be of similar size and model, but is not required. The third tractor is to be used for a practical exam where it has been “bugged” with ten errors, safety concerns, and general maintenance checks. There is a list on the tractor driving handbook that has 21 potential errors. The equipment that was used for this contest was donated by Link Implement in Ridgeland Wisconsin. The two tractors used for operation were newer Massey Fergusons and the mock up tractor was a 1970s era CASE tractor. We also used a manure spreader for the two-wheel trailer and borrowed a hay rack to use for the four-wheel event. We also needed three large tables, four to eight chairs, and a small tent canopy.

Each FFA member was allowed three minutes to practice oneach implement to give them a chance to find the controls, practice operating the machine, and pulling the implement. The students could see the course, but could not drive in it.

We intended to have a four-group rotation for the contest to minimize the amount of time needed. Five students would start with the written exam, two groups would go to the two-wheel event, two groups would go to the four-wheel event, and one group would go to the practical exam. Our plan didn’t come to fruition; we had a thunderstorm hit when we were to start, and we all went to a large tent, took the written exam, and then waited for the weather to clear. One of the tractors we were using was also being used by the grounds committee. It was needed to spread wood chips after the storm. I would recommend NOTborrowing a tractor that the grounds committee is also using.

NorbPintens and I set the contest up the night before. I would recommend doing that to ensure that the course is set up accurately. It is important that you know the measurements of your equipment before you start setting the course up. It is important that you have 50 or 100 foot long measuring tapes to make sure the course is a square as possible. It took us under two hours to set the course up. We also tied the alleys and outline of the course with twine.

Each FFA Advisor that attended the contest assisted with helping to run the contest, whether it was timing, administering tests, helping score, or making sure students operate the equipment safely. The State FFA Officer team also assisted with the contest and awards presentation at the youth tent. The State FFA brought the tests, ribbons, and plaques.

Be sure all advisors have clear directions on how to get to the tractor driving area. There may be confusion as to whether this area is inside or outside the Farm Tech Days grounds. Be sure other members of the youth committee knows your event’s details in case questions come up. Be sure the admissions/gate people know where your event is and how people should get there and that the admissions/gate people know that FFA Advisors and their students will be coming entering the grounds after the competition and that FFA students with their advisors DO NOT pay the daily admission fee.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Pete Kolpack, 715-790-9368