SOUTHERN MAINE TRACTOR CLUB PULLING RULES

ANTIQUE TRACTORS 

 

1. All pullers must be a member of the SMTC and have paid their insurance. They must have a signed waiver on file with the Club Secretary.

 

2. Any two wheel-drive rubber tire tractor not newer than 1970 can participate. 

 

3. All tractor engines must not exceed the manufacturer’s recommended HP and RPM by more than 10% and must be equivalent to the engine made for that tractor.

 

4. Any Bolt-on or Secured weights are permitted. If any weights come off and hit the ground while in the pulling area the tractor and driver will be disqualified from the class. 

 

5. Any weight will be allowed to stick out no more than 30” inches from the most forward point of the tractor excluding the wheels. All front weight must be strapped or pinned in place to a bracket making for a non-moveable mount.

 

6. The Pulling point face will not exceed 20” in height and not less than 18” from center axle (18” measurement is from the back of hole) (20” measurement shall be at the top of the drawbar or spacer/washer, if needed.)

 

7. When hooking up to the drag, drivers will put the tractor in neutral and raise their hands. 

 

8. The driver shall remain seated during the pull. Additionally, when a puller is hooked onto the drag, the puller must have at least one hand on the steering wheel.

 

9. No cut tires allowed. Radials allowed. Tires are not to exceed 18.5” in the 2650 lb through 8000 lb class.

 

10. All tractors must have working brakes.

 

11. Drivers must be 13. Anyone from ages 13-16 will have to do a driving test and have an adult with them on the track.

12. No alcohol is to be consumed by any competitor before or during the pulling event.

 

13. Only one person is allowed on a tractor (no riders).

 

14. Drivers shall follow all directions given by the hook person and /or flag person(s).

 

15. During a stone boat pull, tractors may have two tries to achieve a full pull. The pin must fall over completely to be classified as a full pull. If the track conditions are very muddy, when the stone boat stops, the pull is done. This will be determined by a pulling committee member. 

 

16. One driver per class per tractor. Not to exceed two classes with the same tractor with the exception of King of the hill or Jackpot classes.

 

17. Spectators shall stay at least 30 feet from the edge of track. They may be closer if a solid barrier or fence separates spectators from the track.

 

18. The Pulling Committee and its designees shall determine the width and length of the pulling area prior to the event. Once established if any part of the tractor touches a boundary line during a pull, the puller is disqualified. When pulling the sled it must be pulled in the direction that it was set up to go. No turning it around. It may not be moved more than 90 degrees in the two pulls.

 

19. The Hook Person or flag person(s) shall determine if the tractor has achieved its full pulling potential or needs to be stopped for safety reasons. Upon notification to stop the operator shall stop immediately.

 

21. No coaching at any time unless a rookie driver or a mechanical breakdown.

 

20. Grievance during the pull shall not be discussed during the pull. All grievances must be filed with a Pulling Committee member or club officer after the pull.

 

22. There will be no raking between the first and second hitches of each contestant.

 

23. The transfer sled speed limit will be set at the drivers meeting. Usually 4.5 mph up 8,000 pound class and 6 mph beyond.

24. Tractors are no longer required to have wheelie bars in order to pull. However, if the Tractor does have wheelie bars. The wheelie bars at a minimum must be flush to the back of the tire and not extend more than 10” beyond the back of the tire. It must be no more than 10” from the ground. The wheelie bars must be rigidly fastened to the axle housing or rear end housing and not mounted to the drawbar or drawbar assembly unless approved by the pulling committee. The wheelie bar system must be able to support the weight of the tractor in the heaviest class pulled. Jacking up the pads so that the tractor is completely off the ground is a good test of the strength of the system’s support ability. The pulling committee reserves the right to test any wheelie bars and any failures will not be allowed to pull.

 

25. Continual violations of the rules will not be tolerated. Termination of club membership may result. The Board of Directors will make the final determination. 

 

YOUR SAFETY IS OUR MAIN CONCERN