Tractor pulling story

Anyone on here remember the Grudge match pull between a steam engine and Dick Wyffels 1800 Oliver tractor.It was back in the mid 60's. I didn't see it personally but heard about it .If memory serves me right ,it was at one of the earliest "pagents of steam" shows.The owner of the steam engine made his brags from a cold start noone could out pull his machine.Dick challenged him. they haggled out the bet where the steam engine owner put up his steam engine and Dick put up $5000.00 cash. Winner had to pull the other machine 20'.Dick after about 15 minute had moved (by jerking)the steam engine to about 19' at which point the steam engine was only at about 2/3 steam and the owner opened the valve . Needless to say the steam engine never spun a wheel, just all traction ,and Dick took his Oliver home but was poorer for his efforts .

Never heard of that match.But I have seen steamers pull-absolutely incredible!Seems nothing can stop them.

At a tractor show twenty years ago they pulled steam engines one night.They fired them with straw. The fireworks display was impressive to say the least.The sparks and cinders went way up in the air, I wish I had pictures.

Maximum torque is at 0 RPM. Same as an electric or hydraulic motor.

I'd believe it. Bet that steam tractor was heavy compaired to the Oliver. ever seen the "tank V Quadtrac" vid?

[/url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk7QG3-6fbA OK that WAS NOT a tank. Persone...g tractor out there that can compare. Rick

Try again....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk7QG3-6fbA

Rick

They "fun pull" the steam engines some every year a the Natioonal Thresher's show at Wauseon, Ohio. Some engines pull better than other's, size being accounted for. Most of the steamers are stopped in their pull when the engine stalls but some do spin their wheels and some even get their front wheels up off the ground. Russells especially seem to have great pull power for their size. I'm told they are usually geared slower so they have good pull but are very slow on the road. Yes, generally speaking, they are all very heavy and have more than adequate "break-away", starting power. They don't use a clutch, the engineer just opens the throttle and start moving as the engine starts revving up, there's usually enough "gear lash" slack to get the engine the momentum it needs to start revving up with the low load at the start with the weight transfer sled and when the weight has advanced on the sled far enough forward it pulls so hard the engine is stalled...or in very rare pulls the big driver wheels slip and break traction. They are a sight to see pulling, but some of them vibrate and shake pretty bad and to me that's a little "scary". Pound for pound I believe a 20,000 lb. modern tractor would out pull a 20,000 lb. steam engine...usually because the tractor has more engine power, better gearing and more traction.

Rick, That was an M88. Slightly heavier than a tank and designed for towing things-HEAVY THINGS. I watched a tank battalion commander get fired one day when he managed to get four tanks stuck (camp swampy). M88 hauled them right out and Bn Commander got hired right back. He was worried for a while that he might have to go to work selling ladies underwear in a Wal*Mart store. That was pretty damned funny.

(quoted from post at 11:14:49 02/13/12) Rick, That was an M88. Slightly heavier than a tank and designed for towing things-HEAVY THINGS. I watched a tank battalion commander get fired one day when he managed to get four tanks stuck (camp swampy). M88 hauled them right out and Bn Commander got hired right back. He was worried for a while that he might have to go to work selling ladies underwear in a Wal*Mart store. That was pretty damned funny.

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Nope take a look at the vid. Thats a PC not an M88. If a 88 driver just stepped on the brakes that tractor never would have move a M88. No boom or front spade and much to short, both hight and length.

Rick

I might have seen that! My dad took me to pagent of steam at Canandaigua,NY,I was about 7 or 8 yr.s old.This would have been in early 60"s I believe it was at the old fair grounds near Roseland Park.Not sure of all the details. I do remember that there was a white line on the ground made of lime that the winner had to pull the loser across.Large chain to each tractor with a truck tire hooked in between to take the shock.It was the largest green tractor I had ever seen.My memory wants to say it was a Deere but maybe it was an Oliver.Cant remember what the steamer was either. I do remember lots of black exhaust smoke from the big diesel and huge clouds of cinders,soot from the steamer.They went back and forth a few times.It was no contest really, the enginer let the big diesel pull him almost over the line and then reached over and pulled the throttle valve open.The big green tractor dug ruts about a foot deep trying to hold its own but was no use.The steamer never spun a wheel and toot-tooted the whistle as he pulled the new modern tractor over the line.Pretty cool stuff,I"ll never forget it!