There are three types of pulling trucks: Light, heavy, and drag. Light trucks are the most common type of pulling trucks, and they are generally fueled by a single automotive engine. Heavy trucks, on the other hand, are usually powered by two engines. While they have more horsepower than their drag counterparts, they are more difficult to compete against. Heavy trucks also have bigger tires, and hanging front weights are often prohibited.
Tow trucks must meet safety requirements. The front-end weights must have a minimum D-hook width of four inches and must extend at least 60 inches from the front axle center. Before a pull, all trucks must be inspected by an authorized official. They may also be disqualified for losing or damaging parts. In addition to this, drivers are required to be mindful of placing. Although ballast is allowed, hanging weights cannot extend beyond 60 inches from the front axle centerline.
What is the Point of Truck Pulls?
If you’ve never watched a truck pull before, you may wonder: What is the point? The point of truck pulls is to demonstrate hand speed and endurance to an audience. Drivers must stay seated at all times. If they leave their truck idling for more than 5 minutes, the event can be cancelled, and the trucker may lose his or her spot in the competition. Thousands of people watch these events, and many competitors rely on them to keep the action going.
Those new to truck pulling should observe the entire process before participating. While it is tempting to pile on ballast and get to the scales, novices should skip this step. Their trucks probably have plenty of traction already. Furthermore, they cannot add weight after the tech inspection, and they cannot borrow equipment from fellow competitors. This is inconvenient, time-consuming, and discouraged by both fellow competitors and track officials.
How Much Horsepower Do Pulling Trucks Have?
When it comes to pulling trucks, there are a variety of different classes. The Pro Stock class features an engine that is 11,100 cubic inches, or 680 cubic feet. It also allows for turbochargers and intercoolers. However, this division has very few horsepower restrictions and the competition is very intense. This is the reason that it is crucial to be seated in your seat while pulling. Increasing horsepower can lead to parts breaking or massive destruction, so be sure to keep all the tires and brakes in your backseat.
Some classes are more powerful than others. In the Limited Pro Stock class, trucks weigh 8,000 pounds. Limited Pro Stock trucks use modified Cummins or Duramax power units. While these are the entry-level class, the Work Stock class boasts built engines and custom turbochargers. This class also requires reinforced axles to prevent wheels from bending and is restricted to three turbo stages. It can generate over 5,000 horsepower.
Why is It Called a Tractor Pull?
What is a tractor pull and why is it called that? Tractor pulling originated as a competition between farmers who wanted to make their animal faster and more powerful. Before tractor pulls became popular, the competition consisted of large loads over a distance. It used to be full hay carts and wagons, but now the competition involves tractors pulling heavy loads. In the early days, farmers also competed with horse-drawn flat boards, attached to rocks, that spectators jumped on as the tractor moved down the track. This was a dangerous activity for spectators, as they were at risk of being run over by the tractor.
Tractor pulling began as a competition between horse-powered vehicles, and today it is an exciting spectator sport. Today’s competition features tractors pulling heavy loads in multiple classes. Each class has similar power plants. The competition fields are made even by determining the maximum weight and height of the tractor pulling vehicles, allowing every pulling machine to pull. In this way, the competition is a fun spectacle for all ages.
How Do You Set up a Truck Pull?
The first step in setting up a truck pull is determining whether you have the necessary equipment. There are two types of equipment: air bags and helper springs. Air bags are more expensive and easier to adjust than helper springs, which are more expensive and stiffen the ride of the truck without a trailer attached. The last option is much more complicated, and is advisable only if you own an old truck that you plan to pull.
Are Tractor Pulls Loud?
It’s no secret that tractor pulls are loud, but are they really that bad? One study found that tractor pulls are comparable to motocross and monster truck events. The Monroe County Agricultural Society’s tractor pull is so loud that they run out of free earplugs before the second event. The noise levels were measured at two light class events, but the heavy class event featured super semis and modified tractors. In both cases, the noise levels reached over 120 decibels, and this may be an understatement.
While there was no control group in the Tomah tractor pull prior to 2014, a recent outreach project distributed free earplugs to attendees. Many of the participants were children, and the outreach team donned University of Wisconsin-Madison apparel to reach them. The earplugs were accompanied by a positive message about the loudness of the events. While tractor pulls are typically loud, they can still cause permanent hearing damage.
How Far is a Full Pull in Truck Pulls?
What is a full pull in a truck pull? Truck pulling is a motor sport that involves tractors and trucks dragged along a predetermined track. The sled carries a box filled with weight. As the sled moves along the track, the mechanical winch pulls the sled forward. As the weight of the load grows, the vehicle loses its forward momentum. Only a few trucks make it all the way to the end of the track. Truck pulling distance is measured from the starting point to the finish line in thousandths of an inch.
A full pull requires all trucks to cross a scale, be weighed, and have their hitch height checked. Before pulling, the vehicles must park in a staging area. Option pulls and re-hooks use a staging area. No vehicle may bypass the scales. Once it leaves the staging area, it must be weighed again. This can take up to 36,000 pounds off the tractor.
How Much Does a Pro Pulling Tractor Cost?
A competition-level tractor can cost upwards of $60,000. It is essential to remember, though, that winning pulls do not always come from the fanciest tractor. A pulling tractor can be as large as 10,000 pounds and can boast a hefty engine capacity. Some even have single turbochargers and up to six-hundred cubic-inch displacement. While this type of tractor might not be suitable for every competition, it is certainly worth the investment.
Many of these tractors sit on chromoly tube chassis frames. They can also be fitted with suitcase weights. These must clear a draw bar at the rear. Competitions will reposition their weights while they wait for the next pull. These weights are often visible to other competitors. Some weights are fiberglass replicas, while others are real. The price of a tractor that pulls for a living will depend on many factors, including features.
Learn More Here:
3.) Best Trucks