Re: TRACTOR PULLING PART 3: THE RETURN OF THE WEAS

Posted by Paul in Mich on August 04, 2004 at 07:45:33 from (68.188.227.110):

In Reply to: TRACTOR PULLING PART 3: THE RETURN OF THE WEASEL! posted by Clint on August 03, 2004 at 18:49:17:

Folks, I've been following this discussion, and most of you have legitimate arguments, even if you don't agree. I've seen auto racing go from 34 ford coups racing against 38 hudson terraplanes, to Viagra Ford vs Budweiser Chevy. I've seen Drag racing go from 6 cyl Plymouths vs 6 cyl Nashes to what it is today. Whatever the sport is, be it motor sports or team sports, the evolutionary transformation over the last 50 years has been phenominal. What started out as 2 farmers arguing over which tractor had the most power, Bill's John Deere A, or Bob's Farmall M, and settling it by hooking a 20 ft chain drawbar to drawbar and whoever pulls the other guy over a crude, heel scribed line wins, has evolved to what it has become today. This evolution started because whoever lost that first pull between Bill and Bob, decided that he'd get even next time, and did a little tinkering to give him that little extra edge. Well, we've had 50 years of tinkering, and I'm sure there's more tinkering to do. Yes, and I agree with IDF that it doesnt make sense to some of us that someone will take a $2000. tractor, and spend $5,000 so he will end up with a $1,500 tractor, but if thats what floats his canoe, then who are we to stop it. Having said all this, there has to be a venue where folks who like to pull their stock farm tractors can pull against other stock farm tractors, and not have to compete with the super stocks and modifieds. I also believe that it is up to the organizers of these pulls to establish parameters, set rules (fair rules), and schedule the pulling classes so that it doesnt become boring or that they run the giants first and then everything from that point becomes anticlimatic. (yes I've seen that). They have scales to monitor and audit the weight, but most of the pulls do not have dynometers to audit horsepower. I think that for stock tractors, that both weight and horsepower should be classified with parameters in each class. Even those pulls without a dynometer, it doesn't take rocket science to spot a tractor that is enhanced beyond normal guidelines when it outpulls the other tractors in its class by a large margain. At this point the organizers can have a challenge clause by which either the organizers can order a teardown, or a participant in that class can order a teardown. If the winner is legal, then its on the challengers dime, but if he is illegal, its on his dime. That process also works with dyno's. A tractor is only dyno'd if challenged, and loser pays a predetermined amount depending what the prize money is. This actually adds to the suspense and mystery (is he legal or isn't he....For $20.00, we'll find out). I think people have to pick and choose which pulls they decide to participate in, as some of them are so ill structured that nobody in their right mind would want to be part of such a donnybrook, but there are some very well structured pulls with fair but stringent rules (cheaters hate these), that make it a fun experience. Personally, I don't mind attending and watching pulls, especially good, well organized pulls as a spectator, but what I prefer, in addition to showing my tractors is attending "plow days" events where I can work my tractor the way it was initially intended. In the fall, its mostly fall plowing only, but in the spring, its plowing, disking, chisel plowing, so whatever a person wants to hook his tractor to, works. We have a lot of fun, and some of the guys get their 40 acres of ground tilled for free. There are no trophys or prizes, but a pot-luck usually more than compensates. And the conversation and fellowship is priceless. I suggest that for all you folks who are disgusted and disenchanted with what has happened in pulling to consider organizing plow and till clubs, and imagine the possibilities. All it takes is a few acres, and organizing. Oh yes, in the summer, there are cultivating events, but it isnt easy to plan for or schedule, and the set-up is as challenging as cultivating itself. This thing can also include Threshing for those with antique combines. The possibilities are endless. I guess my point is that pulling isnt the be all end all of tractor antique tractor activity, and we don't have to compete with the "Pros" or cheaters to have a good time and enjoy our old iron. Even with pulls, there are ways around the pros and cheaters (not one and the same), but we can pick and choose, and if we dont attend some of the pulls because they are slopply ran, then the organizers will begin to get the message and make it an event that we can all compete fairly. They won't do it though if we continue to go, pay our entry fee, and just complain. Its only when their participants dwindle will it get better.

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• Re: TRACTOR PULLING PART 3: THE RETURN OF THE WEAS Flyin Farmall 19:45:32 08/04/04 (0)

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