Inventor of the Weight Transfer sled - dies

agonair · Dec 21, 2011

Billy Watkins, 83 of Arthur, IL died today. Bill was the inventor and patent holder of the weight transfer sled used in tractor pulling. Bill was a pioneer in tractor pulling and debuted the sled in 1969 near Hindsboro, IL. His sleds were known as the Arthur Power Stopper and criss crossed the midwest until 1976. Billy farmed and served as a Lay Pastor for 50 years. He was a gentle and caring man and a true genius. He will be missed. Welcome home good and faithful servant. You have finished the race.

The Dukester · Dec 21, 2011

Interesting....never heard that before. Thank You. RIP Billy.

Mike M · Dec 21, 2011

Wonder if he died broke ? Alot of people made transfer sleds for thier clubs and such and I doubt he got paid anything for patent infringement from these guys.

Earl -IL · Dec 21, 2011

I understand that he did get paid a fee for everyone they could catch.

buickanddeere · Dec 21, 2011

I hope they kick the weight box out of gear before his last trip. Be a shame if the hearse couldn't full pull the sled and got stopped before the cemetary.

agonair · Dec 21, 2011

He holds two pioneer patents on these sleds. In fact, he sued the other sled operators in the early 1970's and won. He received a fee off of each hook for several years until his lawsuit expired. He used those funds to build a retirement village here in Arthur, IL. At the time of his suit, he was building a new sled that was to replace the weight transfer. It utilized a weight and hydraulic system that placed down pressure in an up and down fashion rather than the current system. Part of his lawsuit and ultimate settlement with the sled operators was that he destroy the new version. It was cut up. I did see it though before it was destroyed.

Inventor of the Weight Transfer sled - dies

agonair

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The Dukester

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Mike M

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Earl -IL

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buickanddeere

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agonair

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