From the Archives

[HubbardRA]

Here are a couple pictures I stumbled upon while looking around my computer. Thought some of you may be interested. First picture is of my pulling tractor Plum Krazy that I built in 1982. That small child standing on the trailer is my son Randy, who is now 17. The engine on this tractor is a 550cc Suzuki, which was putting out around 60 Hp. It was later transplanted to the other tractor below, and this tractor got a 750cc 16 valve engine that was putting out around 85 Hp. Quite a handful, considering that the tractor only weighed 1000 lb with me on it.

This next picture is of my son Russell with his tractor Woop-T-Doo. I think he was 14 at the time of the picture. He is now 26.

[toad270]

man how time flies

[comet66]

Great Pictures Rod. I'll bet they remember those times better than you do.

[Jovee]

Cool pics and super imagination Rod! Where did you get the front wheels on the Woop T??

[HubbardRA]

Jovee, Those are 5 spoke two piece cast iron wheels on Woop-T-Doo. Found them at the local trash dump. The front wheels on Plum Krazy are two piece aluminum wheels with 5 spokes on each side. They came off a mini-bike. Also picked them up at the trash dump. Can't do that anymore, since they went to a dumpster setup instead of just a scrap metal pile.

[Jovee]

I will keep a look out for something like those at the flea markets or shows. Our trash goes to a few major landfills and they're not the kind of place to visit without full hazmat gear. Those wheels really add to the look. Wouldnt mind polished aluminum kart rims either but from the sites Ive visited they would cost more than a new tractor

[HubbardRA]

At the tractor pulls, you see quite a few tractors with polished aluminum wheels front and rear. I think a full set, 8 inch front and 12 inch rear will cost around $450. Too much for my wallet. I think a web site that sells them is midwestsupercub.com.

[JoeJ]

Rod, I know you have spoken at length about wheel speed when pulling. But what kinda speed do you get if not hooked to a sled? Is it pretty much a miss-guided missile or does the gearing keep it semi sane? Joe

[HubbardRA]

Joe, I hate to say it, but the gear reduction for Woop-T-Doo was done by having the motorcycle transmission hooked in series with a Volkswagen Bug transaxle, then pulling in the lower gears of both. I estimate that in the higher gears of that machine there was a potential for near 100 mph speeds. Believe me, you did not want to open up the throttle on one of those machines when it wasn't hooked to a sled. I embarassed myself more than once by showing off and ending up putting it in the ditch, or something to that effect which I do not wish to confess to. With that much power, no suspension, pivoting front axles, and the low tire pressures that we run, these machines were unstable at any speed over just a few mph. Because of the instabilities, the current rules for Sheanandoah Valley Garden Tractor Pullers Association now require that this type of machine be run at not much more than an idle when coming to and leaving the track. Showing off of any type will result in disqualification and suspension from pulling privileges. With the power these tractors have and around a 25 to 1 final gear reduction, they can essentially leap out from under you, if not careful. My engine speeds when pulling were usually between 10,000 and 14,000 rpm. I know my son was driving one of these at 14, but there was a lot of teaching, and some very strict rules set down by Dad, before that ever happened. He was not allowed to even start the engine on that tractor unless I was with him. That way there was no possibility of him showing off behind my back. Both sons will tell you that my rules were many times stricter than those at the track. No room for stupidity on these machines.

[JoeJ]

:DThanks Rod, I think I'll just watch. A father and son here have 3 alky burners, they are in Kents pictures as the Jagers, these tractors are something to see too. I think they are re-worked Kolhers Joe

[Nick]

Thanks for sharing Rod. What brands are (or were) the tractors?

[HubbardRA]

Nick, Both tractors were hand built, starting with the frame and working up. I used garden tractor front axles on both (Dynamark) and the hoods and grilles were also Dynamark. Plum Krazy had a homemade drivetrain using jackshafts and sprockets to ge the gear reductions. Woop-t-Doo had the motorcycle transmission driving thru a VW Bug transmission. 20 speeds forward with the combinations of the two transmissions. Motorcycle brakes on both. They were both my creations, neither started as a tractor, they were just built to look like garden tractors.