Tractor Pulls

Years ago I loved to go the fairs to see the pulls, This was back in the late 60s 70s and early 80s. 3 basic cases stock, Modified and Open class in tractors and trucks. Pulls lasted for days. In 79 the 4x4 truck pulls started at 10 am and got done that night at 11.30pm pulling all 3 classes. It was the same way for the tractors, An all day event. It was a fun time Stock classes were strict no fast gas and everbody had an even chance to win, Then the modified class was a different carb, fast gas, headers and sometimes tires. Open class was anything goes!

The last pull I went to at a fair was a joke, 3 hours and it was all done. And from what I can see now is the winner of the pull is the guy with the biggest wallet to buy the latest and greatest! I really took the fun out of the pulls, It the same way now in open wheel dirt track cars. I guess I am getting old now but I do miss the sound of an Oliver 88 with turbo blue fuel going down the track or a MH 44 diesel blowing smoke like an old freight train going down the track. I do miss the old pulls. One of the tractor shows close by had pulls for years but now all tractors that pull have to have wheelly bars on them to pull. It just don't look right to see a stock tractor with them on it to pull a stock class. They say its for safety, Still don't look right. I guess I miss the good old days of tractor and truck pulls. There is just not that much fun in it now to do it like years ago. Guess I'm showing my age now. Bandit

My good old days are, when you brought the tractor out of the field and hooked to a stone boat with a load of silo staves. Kept adding more staves until the last man was hung.

This picture was at Delaware county fair in Walton New York 1983. That was me on the Oliver 1950T about the last time we used the stone boat. I remember my dad on his super88 winning the 6000 pound class unfortunately don't have a photo but do have his ribbon. Those were good times. Greg

Take in one of the NATPA pulls. There is one in Springfield Mo next weekend, Princeton IN a couple of weeks later. Lots of different makes and models. Most pulls go a good full day. Just click on the city listed and you get the schedule.
Natpa schedule

I used to love the old time tractor pulls and thought it was fun when they were true out of field pulls. I remember when the local Allis Chalmers dealer brought a new D-21 to the fair to be used as the pull back tractor. What a monster! The 560 diesels dominated everything. That was a big tractor. I would still enjoy some of that.
Now we are lucky enough to get to work at the NTPA pull here. Our Two Cylinder club pulls the tractors and trucks around. I especially enjoy the semis. Yes they are big bucks but they are all very nice people and it's fun to hook unto one of those beasts and give him a pull. I have taken my JD 630, Oliver 1950 GM, and 1850 Cockshutt. Last year I hooked the 1850 unto the back of a monster semi with two big pullers inside and helped him get out of the mud. I didn't think I had a chance. This year I hope to take the 1900 FWA. The pullers love to hear a Detroit. I sometimes get as much attention as the big dollar guys. We get to watch the whole thing up close and get in free both nights. This is fun to me!

A couple years ago I took my patchwork 1650 Oliver to a small local tractor pull and got a first. I hope to get my wife turned on to pulling, that would help with the financing! LOL we are already in disagreement on what color to paint it. Greg

The Southern Illinois Tractor Pullers still pull the old way.

(quoted from post at 13:05:30 01/09/15)

My good old days are, when you brought the tractor out of the field and hooked to a stone boat with a load of silo staves. Kept adding more staves until the last man was hung.

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Thats pretty much the only type I"ve ever seen locally. Vintage pulls held in 1988 and 1992. That 990 Oliver with the 3-71 was some impressive sound. I'd never heard one up close before. Kept wondering just how high that engine was going to rev before he hit top rpm. Heres the 92 pulls converted from VHS tape.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJNVK_heTGQ

Try an antique tractor show, many have a tractor pull as one of the activities. Also check with your local antique tractor clubs, some will hold small pulls: nothing fancy, stock tractors 1959 and older, hot rods are not welcome, first gear only kids pulls, etc. Gate fees are low or free.

Rusty6, great job! I got beat by a Super 99 back in the 80's and the guy still pulls with it. We have a few local pulls like that and the good news is some younger guys and girls are involved. Thanks for posting video. Greg

(quoted from post at 04:11:37 01/10/15) Rusty6, great job! I got beat by a Super 99 back in the 80's and the guy still pulls with it. We have a few local pulls like that and the good news is some younger guys and girls are involved. Thanks for posting video. Greg

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Thanks Greg. I have to admit I don't have much interest in modified or "super tractor" pulling but these vintage stock machines I like. Here is a link to a short clip of the 1988 vintage pulls at Keliher, Sask. It was so hot , dry and windy that day(year) that the fire truck could not keep the dust down on the track.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je7KxLMeP-w&feature=youtu.be

rusty6, Its good to see the old tractors working, I also watched your gopro snow blowing video. My dad bought a three point snow blower for $250 at an auction the summer of 1988. I thought he was crazy when showed up with it but it only needed new roller chain for the auger. What do you use for attachment arm for your camera? My daughter received a gopro for Christmas and I might want to use it! Greg

(quoted from post at 10:38:39 01/10/15) rusty6, Its good to see the old tractors working, I also watched your gopro snow blowing video. My dad bought a three point snow blower for $250 at an auction the summer of 1988. I thought he was crazy when showed up with it but it only needed new roller chain for the auger. What do you use for attachment arm for your camera? My daughter received a gopro for Christmas and I might want to use it! Greg

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Anybody that knows me would guess it is something cheap and re-cycled that I use for the camera pole. Its a piece of electrical conduit. Aluminum pipe I think and about 4 feet long. Rubber bungee cords will attach it to most places I might want it to shoot. Of course I had to buy the "Ram" ball mount for the camera. I have one that is a suction cup base and holds amazingly well on any smooth clean surface. The one I use on the aluminum pole is just hose clamped onto the pole and can also be clamped onto various parts of farm machinery or whatever your imagination comes up with.
http://www.canadasmotorcycle.ca/ram...pro-kit.html?gclid=CLrQ0-mEisMCFajtMgodORMAtg

Thanks rusty6, we haven't even tried it yet I just held my wife's camera in my hand for my first video last week. It's just a $60 cannon but works good for the YT site. Greg