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WHAT IS TRACTOR PULLING?

Tractor-pulling is the name of an originally American motorized strength sport. In 1977 the sport first entered the Netherlands and since then our country has many thousands of supporters. This is partly the result of the high level at which the sport is practiced in the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, about 120 competitions are organized every year, with the competition in Made the largest.

TOW TRUCK AND TRACK

Tractor-pulling is practiced using a tow truck, a type of semi-trailer that does not rest on wheels at the front size on a sled. On the tow truck there is a ballast box that can be filled with weights and is connected to the wheels of the semi-trailer with a cable or chain via a gearbox. At the beginning of the pull attempt (also called run or pull) the ballast box is on the back of the tow truck. If the tow is pulled forward, move the ballast tray forward. As a result, there is more and more weight on the towing foot, making it increasingly difficult for the tractor to move the tow truck forward.

SPEED

The developed speed during a run is of great importance. After all, the mass of the tow truck will then cooperate. A full-pull in less than 10 seconds is feasible on a well-prepared track. And that with a total weight of 20,000 to 25,000 kg! You have to be a trained athlete to run that distance in the same time. The tractors can therefore often have their wheels spun to above 50 km/h.

POWER

In order to deliver such performance, the machines must have enormous capabilities. In the Netherlands, some tractors deliver more than 7000 hp; in the US, the 10,000 hp limit was already broken a few years ago, compare that to an average agricultural tractor of a narrowly 100 hp. So Tractor Pulling is about true power explosions. That means that the extreme of the technique is required. It is particularly this aspect that captivates both the public and participants. After all, they are not ready-made machines from the factory with which the participants appear on the track, but self-built machines. Machines with many working hours and tens of thousands of euros of material have been inserted. What about diesel engines that deliver more than ten times their standard power, or petrol engines, which deliver more than 1500 hp with blowers and methanol injection. In addition, most nowadays use aluminum V8 racing, or V12 aircraft engines, even turbine engines are used.

DIFFERENT CLASSES

Participating tractors are grouped into different classes in which they must meet certain requirements in order to obtain fair competition:
– Standard and old-timers; these are unchanged factory tractors where old-timers must have a minimum age of 30 years.
– Sport and supersport; light re-eletion work may take place on the factory tractor, a non-standard fuel pump may be used in the supersport.
– Pro- and Superstock; The appearance of the factory tractor must be preserved, internally there is maximum increase, Pro-stocks only mount 1 turbo.
– Free or Modified class; any combination of motors and power drives is possible there are some limits.
– TWD or Car pullers; on cars or pick-up trucks (Two Wheel Drive) similar vehicles with free engine built-in.
Each class is divided into a number of subclasses based on the weight of the machine. In all classes, the machines must meet strict safety and environmental requirements established by the umbrella Tractor Pulling organizations.

BALANCED

Tractor-pulling is the sport that combines motor power with speed, because the combination that starts the fastest and makes the rear wheels spin the hardest comes the farthest. Provided that the machine is precisely balanced, has the optimal transmission ratio and has the correct tire pressure. Only then can all the power be transferred to the track. Each job is different, which is why this requires a lot of insight and experience from the participants. Tractor-pulling distinguishes itself from other motorsports by the sensational amount of horsepower combined with the speed and the shimmering machines.