What I have learned in four years of pulling.

DAVE Thompson jr · Sep 2, 2014

You are pulling what you can afford and are having fun without spending a lot of money. I have had tractors that don"t cost much and some that cost a fortune. There is a place for everything. Go to the pulls and have a good time. I have learned a lot when I started pulling with The natpa. Most of those guys will tell you what you are doing wrong and help. Just be lucky you are not working weekends and can go to the pulls. It takes a lot of money to pull with the Modified tractors. Years ago I put a couple of thousand into a super M and pulled it all year and had a great time and won many pulls with it.

1970-1655 · Sep 2, 2014

I pulled from 1973 to 1986. Then I parked it for a few years while we built our house. All that time, it was fun and most pullers were like family. When I decided to get back into pulling, it was a whole different approach. Some were pouring tons of money into it and had an almost hateful attitude. I still go to watch sometimes and talk with some of my old friends. When I start getting the urge to build another, I go to a pull or two and try to talk with some of the newer pullers. That cures my desire.

Like was in another reply, pulling with some of the bigger organizations can still be fun if you let it.

tim11612 · Sep 2, 2014

I agree,most of the pullers and pullers in charge have a hateful attitude.if they don't like you they will work together to make sure you don't do good.talking about stoneboat pulling.they don't make it fun to pull and they wont give you the time of day.finding you have to be in the click..cant just go and have fun..but they take your money to hook-up.

Elvin Frank · Sep 3, 2014

I agree 100% about pull with what you can afford.
When all I had was a hand me down 8n I had just as
much fun as I do now with my super m that I bought
for dirt cheap expecting to have to rebuild the
motor and haven't had to do anything to internal
wise. I even pick up a ribbon or a trophy here
there and yonder. I also understand about the
"clicks". I've tried to talk to the guys are hat
are successful and do well all the time and find
that while not so much rude, but give you short
generic answers like naw, not really or i dunno. I
enjoy it cuz me and my father do all our own work on
the tractors, and he enjoys watching me at a pull
enjoying myself and it pleases me that he enjoys it.
That's my story and I'm stock ng to it, gotta make
it fun for yourself I guess

VicS · Sep 3, 2014

Good post Andy. My problem is, I'm a sloooow
learner! But made me think. I love to talk about
tractors and pulling with anybody. When I am
getting ready to go weigh and trying to figure out
where to put the weights and how many, and thinking
about tire pressure, hitch, etc. Sometimes I have
been short with people who came up and ask
questions. For that I am SORRY. I will try to do
better. After all it's all about having fun. Vic

Robert Major · Sep 4, 2014

Hi Totally agree with what you say. I haven't
pulled since i came to Canada 14 years ago, The
small town pulls here are a waist of time and
if your an outsider and win, you don't get to
go back the next year. Rules get changed so you
can't run in some places!
Last time I pulled the track was wet, all the
big name tractors couldn't get through the wet
to the top.
I Got my old Belarus set up right and she
sailed through to full pulls. The big guys came
to me and said I was making them look bad and
it wasn't fair!.
I just turned to them and said ok I'll drop
the clutch at 3/4 track!. They figured that
wasn't fair either, I was still beating them.
I just turned and as i walked away said yeah
but at least you won't look quite so bad with
being half way and me at the top.
I still have that tractor and wish I could
justify the cost to update and run it for a
year. I think some guys might get a few
interesting lessons, that win these pulls all
the time locally and have an attitude
adjustment as well!.
Regards Robert

Robert Major · Sep 4, 2014

Hi
Don't get me wrong there are some great guys at some pulls, When I started out with my tractor at the first pull. a few guys told me things to improve the tractor, Like tire pressures, I needed a stiffer hitch, as mine flexed 2" when I started pulling, and put a boost gauge on ,I was leaving a bit to early.
The problem came later when I was pulling as good as the top 3 in classes with the money.
The pull round here just banned turbo's as a couple guys got pretty good and beat the big shiny Massey 90!. and a couple other high dollar restorations. the rest are just the usual small town and outsider B/S deals that will never change. If those guys are happy winning all the time Good luck to them, personally I would rather stay home right now and not run a tractor, or just go watch the circus the odd time, when I get bored with you tube pulling.
Regards Robert

LCB · Sep 5, 2014

For you people who can get to Southern Il and USAP pulls I think you will find that you are welcome and will have a good time and make a lot of friends. We all have a day when our mouth engages before our brain but I love the friend ships I have made in Mo In Ky Il and usually really find most people friendly and nice. Broke down in Ky this winter and had people helping that had proably never seen be before. It really made me feel good and I thanked them very much but I know some helped and left and didn't get thanked so if I missed you thank you.

com-yellow · Sep 7, 2014

I have gone to about 10 pulls a year for 7 or 8 years with stock tractors, win 4 or 5 tines ea. year, have a good time. That has all changed.I truly believe I have the only stock tractors there. its no fun loading up and driving for 2 hrs. knowing that you are dealing with CHEAT/WIN STOCK TRACTORS I want to see stock / stock pulls . It's hard to be friends with cheaters!!

buickanddeere · Sep 7, 2014

(reply to post at 12:16:55 09/02/14)

As long as you follow the rules. You can do anything you want. Unless you start beating the fellows who are buddies with track officials.

showcrop · Sep 8, 2014

(quoted from post at 08:50:14 09/07/14) I have gone to about 10 pulls a year for 7 or 8 years with stock tractors, win 4 or 5 tines ea. year, have a good time. That has all changed.I truly believe I have the only stock tractors there. its no fun loading up and driving for 2 hrs. knowing that you are dealing with CHEAT/WIN STOCK TRACTORS I want to see stock / stock pulls . It's hard to be friends with cheaters!!

Hey come on Bob, I don't pull against you but I thought that you did OK at the one pull that you went to. Besides, think of all the cash in your pocket from the good price that you got for the one that you sold, and the good conversations that you had there.

What I have learned in four years of pulling.

DAVE Thompson jr

Member

1970-1655

Member

tim11612

Member

Elvin Frank

Member

VicS

Well-known Member

Robert Major

Well-known Member

Robert Major

Well-known Member

LCB

Member

com-yellow

Member

buickanddeere

Well-known Member

showcrop

Well-known Member

Similar threads