podium newsletter 17 - apr11 - the antique tractor …€¦ · the soil conditions were excellent...

©2011 by Zack Peterson and Podium Finish, LLC – www.antiquetractorpullguide.com 1

Welcome to the Podium Club! The information found at www.antiquetractorpullguide.com is like no other information out there. The tips,

tricks and secrets of successful tractor pulling are designed to improve your performance at the next tractor

pull, while having more fun at the same time.

Podium Newsletter

I’m sure many folks out there can sympathize with the fact that it’s been a long time since our last trip down the track. The winter has been long, cold and in some areas relentless with its tight grip. One of the best parts of the year is when the outdoor tractor pulls start up again and we have the opportunity to reap the rewards of all our hard work.

Recently, I attended a tractor pull about 260mi away in Quincy, WA. Yes, it’s a long way to drive just to get a taste of exhilaration of that first hook, but it turned out to be well worth it. The weeks prior were used to do the prep work on the Massey Harris Mustang to get it ready.

The week before the pull was spent fine tuning the tractor. For this, the Mustang was taken to a local tractor dealership for an engine break in on their dyno. For those not familiar with a dynamometer (dyno for short), it’s a device that puts a load on the tractor’s pto shaft. This allows adjustmets to be made while the tractor is under load and while stationary.

To review, the Mustang’s engine is a continental F140, and was 140 cubic inches in stock form. This engine has been bored out almost 5/16” to make it 168 cubic inches. To see the material that came out of the block during boring, visit the April 2010 issue of the Podium Newsletter.

With the added cubic inches, a camshaft grind and a high compression head, the dyno would tell if these improvements were well worth it. Although never technically tested at Nebraska, the Mustang is identical in power to the earlier model 22, which was rated at 23hp at 1500rpm at the drawbar and 31hp on the belt pulley at 1800rpm. With the engine recipe outlined above, I was hoping for somewhere in the mid 30’s for horsepower.

Let’s Hook: The First Pull of The Year

April 2011


After tuning in the carburetor and especially the timing, the Mustang put out 38hp on the dynoat 1500 engine rpm (roughly 540pto rpm)! The good news is that the throttle linkage and governor are set to run 2400rpm at full throttle, which means the tractor likely puts out well over 40hp at higher rpm. Would this be enough for the track though?

April 2011

One other thing to mention in preparation for this pull – where is the sheet metal? The tinwork was sent out for refinishing but was not ready at the time of the pull. Always think of a back up plan! There is a parts yard in Moses Lake, WA near Quincy. When the tractor was ready for the pull, it was loaded and driven all the way to Moses Lake without any sheet metal on it. The parts yard is owned by Doug D’Avis. He’s a great guy who loves tractors and sells parts very reasonably. He

Let’s Hook: The First Pull of The Year (cont)

Mustang hooked to the dyno

Makeshift sheet metal

had some junk sheet metal off a model 20 that fit the Mustang. It wasn’t pretty, but perfectly functional. Doug can be reached at 509-750-2744 if you’re looking for parts.


The Quincy pull uses USAP rules. With these rules, there are different speed classes within each weight class. For instance, they run a 3mph stock class, 4mph, 6mph and 12mph modified classes. There are tire restrictions and wheelie bars are required for the 4mph and faster classes. The Mustang was built with the 4mph class in mind, since it will go 4mph or slightly faster at full throttle in 1st gear. At this particular pull, it was allowed to enter multiple classes at the same weight. The Mustang was weighed in at only one weight – 3000lbs. The tractor with wheelie bars and weight brackets weighs about 2720lbs. This gives good adjustability in a 3000lb class. The Mustang was entered in the 3mph, 4mph and 6mph classes at this weight. Here was my thinking – I would use the 3mph class as a “shakedown” to see how close the weight balance was. The 4mph is where things get a little more serious and if I was still trying to figure things out, the 6mph could be used for fine tuning.

There was a rain storm that blew through the day before the pull and the track had good moisture in it. The soil conditions were excellent and the track was prepped well for the pull. The track was not the hardest or stickiest track, but did require good power to do well.

April 2011



So what was the experience? With seven 40lb weights, 5 were placed on the front weight bracket and two in the middle. In the 3mph class, a high wheelie was the result, but the tractor did pull to a 2nd place finish. For the 4mph class, the other two weights were placed on the front weight bracket. The results were good, as the tractor pulled another 20ft further to a 1st

place finish, but still ended in a slight wheelie. Power throughout the entire rpm range was very, very good in 1st gear. For the 6mph class, I thought “what the heck, let’s try 2nd gear”. The tight track got the best of the Mustang and brought it to its knees, finishing in 3rd place. One thing learned – time to build a front bracket extension.

All in all a very good showing for the first time on the track with the new engine – podium finishes. Folks, it’s moments like this that make all of the cuts, scrapes, pinched fingers, long hours, trips to get parts, broken/lost tools, ripped clothing, welding in the dark while raining, questions from the wife, overcoming discouragement with a tractor in pieces, and rising above all other obstacles to make something great happen. It’s one of the best feelings in the world – satisfaction in a job well done.

April 2011

A moment of bliss



More sights from the Quincy, WA pull, which had around 125 hooks total.

April 2011

Allis CA with big cubic inches owned by Jim McMinimee

Mustang’s new wheelie bars

Ford Funk 6 cyl, under 3000lbs



April 2011

Over 130 Minneapolis Moline Tractor Brochures

Now Available!

Two disc Data CD Set

From the Moline Universal all the way to the G1355

and just about every tractor in between.

Data CD’s contain Adobe PDF files – one file per brochure. Each sales brochure was carefully scanned in high quality using an 11” x 17” scanner, guaranteeing older oversized brochures were properly captured. Thousands of pages to read, images to look at, and extremely rare pieces to see. Easily over $2500 worth of literature at the click of a button. Visit www.antiquetractorpullguide.com today to see full description and invest in one of the best things about old tractors –knowledge!

What’s inside:

• Ground speeds for most makes and models featured in The Antique Tractor Pull Guide.

• Ground speeds shown with respect to different RPM and different tire sizes.

• Ground speeds shown in every gear from near idle to full RPM, including USAP/NATPA allowed RPM’s.

• How to figure ground speeds for any tractor at any RPM, allowing for cut tires & lower tire pressures.

• Ground speeds for gearing variations including creeper gears, ring & pinion changes, M&W 9 Speed transmissions, Sherman transmissions and more!

Now Available!

The Antique Tractor Pull Guide: Ground Speeds


How to Organize a Tractor Pull – Part 2

Let’s talk about the day of the pull. With the flyer mailed, ads in the newspaper and the word out that the pull is on, it’s time to ensure the pull runs as good as the tractors at it.

Here are some things that should be in place before pullers arrive:

Registration table – this is where folks enter the pull and pay the hook fees.

Scale – decide whether the pull will have a weigh in during registration or an open scale. An open scale means pullers are welcome to check weight as often as they like, but must drive over the scale just before or just after each hook.

Trophy table – trophies and ribbons are displayed.

Announcer’s booth/recorder’s table – the area where registration sheets are kept during the pull, electronic sled readout (if used) and the results are recorded. This information is referred to by the announcer as the pull is in progress.

The track – track preparation is preparation may by one of the more overlooked parts of a tractor pull. Careful preparation must be used to ensure a good pulling surface that will hold up during the course of the pull. Most pullers crave a good hard track that allows superior traction. This is usually achieved with the type of soil and the right moisture content. When prepping a track for a pull, use these techniques:

• Work up the ground, usually with a disk or harrow

• Add water (moisture)

• Smooth out the track as flat as possible

• Pack in the track, preferably with a roller

• Re-smooth the track where needed if not flat, then pack again

• Line the track boundaries using white flour

April 2011


How to Organize a Tractor Pull – Part 2 (cont)

It may take some trial and error to ultimately get the moisture content correct for the track. Too much water in the ground and the track becomes spongy. Too little and it may dry out and become loose.

April 2011

A well prepared track. Smooth, flat and with moisture. Also notice the defined boundaries and other markers used for the pull.



Roles at a pull

Registration table workers – they keep track of the participants and handle the hook fees.

Scale attendant – checks weights and hitch height

Sled operator(s)

Hooker/unhooker

Track Judges – required to make any decisions regarding the pull, disqualifications, re-hooks, etc.

Float tractor operator – smoothes the track after each pull.

Roller operator – periodically packs the track, maybe even after each hook. This is not totally necessary and is not as common at smaller pulls.

Results recorder – keeps track of hook distances, speeds.

Trophy attendant – as classes finish and prizes are available, this person presents the trophies.

Announcer – the person responsible for keeping the action going for the crowd. A good announcer not only has a smooth delivery, but should also have good knowledge of tractors and pulling.

April 2011

Working together as a team, and with good communication, these folks can make a pull move at a good pace and keep the crowd interested. Ask any puller about what they liked best about the pull, and they are bound to mention how the pull was run. When planning your next pull, it is encouraged to put in extra thought and time on how to make it as successful as possible. Having a successful pull ensures folks will be return for the next one and may spread the word, growing your event.



Did you know?

The Podium Newsletter reaches over 450 subscribers (and increasing fast) every month? Do you have a product or service to offer? If so, advertising in the Podium Newsletter and on www.antiquetractorpullguide.commay benefit you or your business, and at ridiculously low rates!

For more information, contact Zack at

[email protected]

April 2011

Running like a well oiled machine…

I would highly recommend calling Pete’s if you’re in search of parts. They recently sent me an updraft manifold for a Chrysler flathead engine (tough to find). Very nice folks.


Profile of a Case 400

If you noticed the picture on the last page of the March Podium Newsletter, you saw the latest acquisition – a 1955 Case 400 gas row crop (411 is the actual model).

April 2011

Here is a bit of information on the Case 400:

Years manufactured: 1955-1957

It replaced the model DC and was considered a much more modern machine.

Engine: 251 Cubic inches (4” x 5” bore & stroke), 1500rpm

Hp: 44.89 drawbar, 53.25 belt

Transmission: 8 speeds forward, 2 reverse

Common options: Hydraulics, power steering, 3pt (called the Eagle Hitch)

Stock tire size: 13.6-38 with optional 14.9-38

Stock weight: 5925lbs

Replaced by the 700/800 series in 1958


Profile of a Case 400 (cont)

Why use a Case 400 as a puller? In stock form these tractors have a good gear selection. Believe it or not, the first 3 gears in the transmission are all lower than 1st gear in a Minneapolis Moline U. First gear in the Case 400 is very slow, a creeper gear at 1.4mph.

One other advantage to these tractors are the availability of engine parts. The tractors that succeeded the 400, the 700/800, 730/830 and even the 870 have engine components that will work in a 400. There are even documented cases of stroker motors being built for these, but they are far less common than a Farmall M, Oliver 77/88 or Moline U.

The biggest disadvantage to one of these tractors is weight. They are heavy tractors, weighing almost 6000lbs with an engine smaller than most other makes. This is due to the huge transmission and rear end castings, as well as the very large rear mounted hydraulic/pto unit and cast rear wheels. A Case 400 can be lightened up to 5500lbs and even to 5000lbs, but it does take some work. They are no where near as flexible on weight as an Oliver 88 or Farmall M. Also, a Case 400 tends to be nose heavy.

Still, in stock a stock 3mph class, pulling a tractor like this should be fun. Stay tuned for future newsletters showing the setup and pull results for this tractor.

April 2011

All 8 speeds on one shift lever A lot of heavy iron hanging here!


Interesting information from a 1959 Goodyear Tire Catalog

April 2011


Coming next month…

� The latest and greatest hitch design

� Return of the Massey 101

� Lessons learned at the pull

� And more…

I want to hear from you! If you have feedback, requests or information you would like featured, please send an email to: [email protected].

Tulips in full bloom at the

Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm near Woodburn, OR on April 24th,

2011

Podium Newsletter

May issue will be available 5/26/11

April 2011

podium newsletter 17 - apr11 - the antique tractor …€¦ · the soil conditions were excellent...

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