How does it work?

710ltd2002 · May 5, 2022

How do two engines work together to drive the tractor? They cant possibly be synchronized precisely. (Pic from the web)
Dave

dairyman · May 5, 2022

I read some years ago in antique power magazine that they used vacuum gauges to synchronize them.

fastfarmall · May 5, 2022

In my opinion it doesn't have to be precise to pull the load, when one tractor pull the other out of the mud it isn't, but it still works,they plow with tandem hook up's at Rantoul Ill,on you tube every other year !!

mjbrown · May 5, 2022

Would it be any different than a dual carb straight 8?

caterpillar guy · May 5, 2022

With it being a trailer queen does it really matter if they pull completely synchronized? Not going to pull loads with it anyway.

Russ from MN · May 5, 2022

Could it be possible that the crankshafts are direct coupled together? But that would put an abnormal strain on the shaft in the rear engine. Anyone else ever see one of the army tank engines made out of 5 Chrysler 6 cylinder engines? The all connect to a common gearbox, very complicated!

Steve@Advance · May 5, 2022

Bing coupled together, they will always run the same speed, and when under load both will be contributing to the task.

No different than a V8 engine with a dual plane intake, it is basically 2 four cylinders working together.

Now it does help to have the governors working and everything synced somewhat together.

On a multi engine set up, as in a side by side tractor, or a twin engine boat or airplane, you can hear when they come into sync. Hard to describe but once you've driven one you catch on instantly.

gtractorfan · May 5, 2022

What I wonder about also is how tractors at tractor pulls with multiple engines are hooked up, some even at 90 degrees.

Steve@Advance · May 5, 2022

Russ, I've seen pictures of them, never a real live one. It is quite a contraption!

I've also heard someone was grafting 2 Chevrolet LS engines together to make a V16! Supposedly it worked. Now that would be putting some stress on the back crankshaft to the max! And anything else coupled to it!

JWinIndiana · May 5, 2022

Then to be devil's advocate, when the Wrangler (Banter Brothers) multi engine pulling tractors pulled, two of the five engines were facing the opposite direction. This was to help the torque drive the tractor straight down the track.

miangus · May 5, 2022

The whole Eastern interconnect is synchronized so two F20 shouldn't be hard.

thehickdaddy · May 5, 2022

i agree on the vacuum gauges, great way to synchronize multiple carbs.

does not matter if multiple carbs are on one engine or multiple engines, they work better when tuned together

thehickdaddy · May 5, 2022

i assume you are referring to the Chrysler A57 which used 251 flathead straight sixes on a common block

rustred · May 5, 2022

poor design is my thinking. should be taking the power from them through a transfer case. like the old 671 jimmy's and they were synchronized. plus you could run one or both engines.

wore out · May 5, 2022

Makes me wonder how they "synchronized" this setup! :shock:

DR. EVIL · May 5, 2022

EXACTLY. Years ago, like about 1966 or '67, Dad Is plowing the headland on one side of the fence with the M & 3 bottom plow, I'm on the other side with the 450 Farmall & 4 bottom. Took a while for them to get Synched but boy did it quiet down when they did. Had the same thing in a small twin engine airplane years ago, a toggle switch on the dash that some how synchronized the ignition systems and greatly reduced the engine noise.

BarnyardEngineering · May 5, 2022

Short answer is they can't NOT work together. They're coupled at the crankshaft.

They don't have to be perfectly synchronized if they're mechanically connected. The "strong" engine will take up the slack from the "weak" engine and the whole thing will seek its own happy medium, especially under load.

Ozlander · May 5, 2022

(quoted from post at 10:01:59 05/05/22) i assume you are referring to the Chrysler A57 which used 251 flathead straight sixes on a common block
<img src=https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto124880.jpg>

<img src=https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto124881.jpg>

Thanks for the picture. I knew some of the Shermans had 5 engines, but I was thinking 5 whole engines.

D13series2 · May 5, 2022

Slipper clutches and/or marine synchronizers. Viscous clutches work well.

Russ from MN · May 5, 2022

Thanks for posting that, I was real busy planting trees this morning and didn't have time to look it up! We saw one in person at the car museum in Rogers MN.

used red MN · May 5, 2022

hickdaddy, well I will be dee-jankered. That is quite a deal. Thanks for posting this!

ptfarmer · May 5, 2022

(quoted from post at 06:50:28 05/05/22) What I wonder about also is how tractors at tractor pulls with multiple engines are hooked up, some even at 90 degrees.

All done with custom made gear boxes.

2 9600 · May 5, 2022

Google who put two engines in a pulling tractor first on ntpa site ! Good article

quefan · May 5, 2022

Not synchronized lol, just like the
tractor the stronger faster power plants
will pull down ant the lesser power
plants will start to pickup the load

noslendnalel · May 6, 2022

Heard an old guy that had two 80's tied together answer the same question. you drop a 8 bottom plow in the ground they get synchronized real quick

big tee · May 6, 2022

The Banter Brothers-Legends-Saw them pull many time!---Tee

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