The Dragon Pulling Sled utilizes a set of rules to promote fair, fun and safe competition. These rules are largely reflective of NATPA pulling rules.
The following rules are general in nature and apply to all pullers, tractors and operations involved in Dragon Pulling Sled events.
All classes are intended for agricultural production-type tractors.
No - homemade, experimental, industrial or prototype tractors are permitted.
IMPORTANT: The Dragon Pulling Sled pull chain hook is equipped with an anti-unhooking device. All tractor hitches need to have a 3.75" oval hole with 1" material thickness around the hole or a straight clevis or D-Ring (hitching eye) bolted or pinned tightly to the drawbar with a minimum of 3.75" long hole.
ENTRY - A driver/tractor combination may pull (hook) only once in each class. Tractor and driver hook limits are determined by the pull promoter. A driver may earn multiple awards per class if pulling with multiple tractors, but if a single tractor pulls more than once per class, only the farthest distance will be counted.
FEES - Entry fees will be determined by the event organizer the pull.
AGE – Drivers under 18 years old – must have a written parental/guardian to participate.
DRIVER - Drivers must remain seated on the tractor at all times. At least one hand must be on the steering wheel during the pull. Anytime a tractor is moving the driver is required to be seated.
RIDERS - No riders allowed on moving tractors. No one except the driver is to be on a moving tractor. The driver must be in the seat when starting the tractor.
SPEED LIMIT – The tractor is not to exceed a 5mph speed limit off the track or in the pit area or unsafely operate a tractor at any time.
ALCOHOL & BEHAVIOR - No abuse or overconsumption of alcohol or drugs will be permitted or tolerated. - No abusive or aggressive language or behavior will be tolerated on and off the track. Absolutely NO alcoholic beverages will be permitted on the track.
REMOVAL - Any tractor, driver or support crew found to be unsafe, unruly, illegal or does not follow or respect the rules and regulations of the event may be disqualified from the event. Any person or tractor disqualified for behavior, will vacate all previous results and be removed from all remaining entries.
SIGNING IN -Contestants should be signed in and registered before a weight class starts to be entered in that weight class. Pullers will pull in order of sign-in. While it is understandable to sign in later in the order of a class, contestants should sign in as close to the top of the order within reason as a courtesy to other contestants and pull organizers.
WEIGHING IN – Each tractor (with driver and all equipment) is required to weigh in on the scales and to have their hitch height checked before competing. This is required for each weight class. Unless noted by pull organizers or specific class rules, tractors will be allowed a 1% tolerance on the scale (eg. A 5,000# tractor can weigh up to 5,050#). The scale is available throughout the entire event. Tractors checking weight should give priority to tractors weighing to compete.
If the scale is unattended, competitors are still required to check weight and hitch height and should complete this step themselves.
Failure to weigh prior to pulling will result in immediate disqualification.
WHEELIE BARS Wheelie bars are required in ALL divisions except the stock (Div. II) class. Wheelie bars cannot be attached to the drawbar in any way. Wheelie bars must be:
No more than 10" above ground.
At least 5" from the back of the wheelie bar from behind the tire radius.
At least 5" x 5" square minimum for the pad of the wheelie bar.
Minimum of 20" from outside each pad.
Each wheelie bar must be able to support the weight of the tractor and driver in the heaviest weight class pulled. Jacking up the pads so the tractor is completely off the ground is a means to test the strength of the system’s support ability and can be performed at any event official’s discretion.
STOP SWITCH - Emergency stop switches are required in all divisions. The stop switch switch must be reachable from the seat/operating position. The stop switch can be the original ignition switch if reachable from the seat. Certain classes require an additional safety kill switch. Details are provided in the class-specific rules.
DRAWBAR/HITCH - Hitch material must be no thinner than .75" and not thicker than 1.25". The hitch needs to have a 3.75" oval hole with 1" material thickness around the hole or a straight clevis or D-Ring (hitching eye) bolted or pinned tightly to the drawbar with a minimum of 3.75" long hole. The top of the hitch adjuster cannot be above the center line of the axle or hub. Hitches and drawbars must be stationary and locked in all directions. Hitches or drawbars cannot be moved when pulling down the track. The hitching point should be easily accessible for the sled or hook person and fit freely.
COVERS & EXHAUST - All flywheels must use factory covers. John Deere two-cylinder production tractor’s clutch housing (clutch cover) must be covered. All fans, PTOs, or exposed moving parts must be shielded or covered. All exhaust pipes must be straight up with no curves or bends. All battery posts must be covered. No essential parts can be removed.
WEIGHTS - Suitcase or custom-made weights are allowed in all divisions. All weights must be stationary and safely secured It is recommended that any weights added to a tractor should be secured. Weights must not extend rearward beyond the rear tires and cannot be more than 11 feet from the center of the rear axle to the furthest point forward. Weights must be able to clear the ground of scale at all times.
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS - Individual fire extinguishers are encouraged but not required. Any fire extinguishers intended for use should be easily accessible and up to date. The pulling sled is equipped with two ABC fire extinguishers.
SPONSORS & DECALS- Advertising plaques, signs or decals may be placed on a tractor if it does not interfere with the inspection or safety of the tractor and is not offensive in nature at the discretion of pull officials who can require items to be removed before competition. Any items must remain attached to the tractor; if an item falls off during a pull, it will result in disqualification. No measurement will be taken or refunds given after a disqualification.
CHASSIS - All tractors must maintain a stock/factory wheelbase for that make and model tractor. Rear wheels, differentials and frontends must maintain stock/factory location and wheelbase.
TIRES - Tires NOT allowed: radial, duals, tire chains/studded or steel wheels. No purpose-built pulling or non-agricultural tires will be allowed.
FUELS - Gas, Diesel or LP fuels only. No alcohol or nitrous oxide: fuels/systems/kits or fuel additives may be used in tractors. Diesel Injection Pumps must stay in their original factory location. Tractors manufactured to use diesel fuel only cannot be converted to Gas or LP. All tractors are subject to random fuel checks by event officials.
ENGINE ASPIRATION - Tractors must be naturally aspirated. No turbochargers or blowers except when factory equipment (eg. Oliver GM, John Deere 435 GM).
TIME LIMIT - Each puller will be allowed a maximum of 1 minute from the time the sled is at the starting position to start their pull. Tractors must start with a tight chain.
SPEED CONE - A speed cone will be placed at 50 or 75 feet, depending on track length at the discretion of the sled operator. This distance will not change once the event has started. Any horn after the cone will result in disqualification. Drivers must stop before the cone in order to restart for another attempt at their pull. The speed cone is measured from the rear of the sled. Once the rear of the sled is past the speed cone, the pull is official, and the distance will be counted.
WEIGHT OR PART(S) FALLING OFF - Any part or weight falling off the tractor after being hooked, during the pull and until the tractor is unhooked from the sled, will result in a disqualification. No measurement will be taken or refunds given after a disqualification.
OUT OF BOUNDS - The contact point of the tractor and or sled must remain in bounds at all times. Out of bounds will result in disqualification. No measurement will be taken or refunds given after a disqualification.
RE-PULL - If a class is restarted for any reason; all tractors that are registered in that weight class and that have already pulled, will be allowed to re-pull. No new entries are allowed in that class during a re-pull or re-start of a weight class.
FULL PULL – Depending on track length, a full pull marker may be established before the event begins. The full pull marker is only used as a guideline and not as an accurate distance. The sled reading will determine the final recorded distance of the entered tractor’s final progress.
PULL OFFS - In the event of a tie in distance or multiple full pulls, a pull-off (tie breaker) will be held by only impacted tractors.
PROTEST - A competitor may protest the tractor or another competitor. The protest must be made with an event official before the tractor believed to be in violation leaves the end of the track/pulling area. The complainant’s tractor will also be checked at their cost. Once the tractor leaves the end of the track, no protest can be made. The protester must be a puller in the same weight class. Failure to comply will result in disqualification of that pull.
Event officials can inspect any tractor at any time on or off the track.
PULLING TRACK – The pulling track will be clearly designated and should remain clear of all non-event personnel. While a tractor is pulling or event equipment is moving on the pulling track NO ONE is allowed on the track except for event, flag and track prep personnel.
PULL PROCEDURE – Pullers will utilize the staging area to wait for their turn after weighing in. Each turn begins by backing up to the sled, being hooked to the sled and then going forward until the chain to the pulling sled is tight. The pull begins only when the flag person shows the GREEN flag. The pull ends when the driver stops or when shown the RED flag. The flag person will show the red when the tractor is no longer making forward progress with the sled or for a safety and or equipment problem or issue. Failure to respect the red flag can lead to disqualification or removal from the event.
STOPPING PULL - Track judges have the right to stop the pull if safety becomes a factor. Tractors must stop immediately upon the red flag signal or be disqualified. If the judge stops the puller for any reason the puller will take the distance from where he/she was stopped, except within the first 75 feet.
TAMPERING - Tampering with another person’s tractor will result in immediate disqualification from the event.
DRIVER’S MEETING – Drivers, officials and sled operator will have a meeting immediately before the pull starts. All track judges will be introduced. The meeting will address any questions and procedures for the day. Announcements made at this time will overrule published rules.
ENFORCEMENT - All judgments, decisions and rule interpretations by event officials are final.
Stock Class Pulling Rules & Regulations
The following rules are specific to the stock class.
All general rules apply unless expressly stated in this section.
TRACTOR YEAR - Tractors must be no newer than 1962 or from production models that started no later than 1962.
ORIGINAL PARTS - The tractor must be original in appearance. No stripping, the tractor must be field-ready (starters, Air cleaners, wheels, etc...) Removal of lift arms and PTO stub shafts is allowed for easier hooking and unhooking.
WEIGHT INCREMENTS – Weight classes will be 3,000 – 10,000-pound classes at 500-pound increments. Pull organizers may coordinate with the sled operator to make changes to the available classes. Changes or additional classes will be announced during the sign-in period and at the driver’s meeting.
TRACTOR WEIGHTS – Wheel weights and stock style weights (eg. slab weights on the front of a John Deere 4020, Allis Chalmers D series) may be mounted to factory mounting points. Other weights that are used must be placed from the center of the back axle to the center of the front spindle. Weights must be contained between these points, attached, and secured.
SPEED LIMIT - A speed no faster than 3 MPH must be maintained while pulling. Speed will be measured by the sled. Pullers have until the speed cone to reduce their speed. A horn will be used to indicate when a tractor exceeds the speed limit. Any speeding past the speed cone will result in disqualification. No measurement will be taken or refunds given after a disqualification.
DRAWBAR - The drawbar will be stationary in all directions, stock mount, stock type drawbar, and have a clevis or loop. Drawbar will be no higher than 16" and a minimum of 24" from the pull point to the center of the rear axle and pull from the original factory belly point of the tractor.
ENGING SPEED – Engine speed must run factory RPM.
TIRES - No altered tires. Tire size within reason with matching rims. No cut tires. No tire chains, dual, or radial tires. Maximum tire size of 38".
MAXIMUM TIRE SIZE –
0-4500# 170 sq. in. max;
4501-6500# 229 sq. in. max;
6501-10000# 300 sq. in. max.
See tire size chart below from Firestone Traction Field and Road and Firestone Field and Road charts.
11.2 x 38 =120 sq. in. 12.4 x 38 =140 sq. in. 13.6 x 38 =168 sq. in.
11.2 x 36 =115 sq. in. 12.4 x 36 =135 sq. in. 14.9 x 28 =170 sq. in.
12. 4 x 28 =126 sq. in. 13.6 x 28 =145 sq. in.
13.6 x 24 =130 sq. in. 14.9 x 26 =144 sq. in.
14.9 x 38 =200 sq. in. 18.4 x 34 =284 sq. in. 18.4 x 38= 300 sq. in.
15.5 x 38 =189 sq. in. 16.9 x 38 =252 sq. in.
16.9 x 34 =229 sq. in. 18.4 x 28 = 250 sq. in.
TURBOCHARGERS - Turbochargers are allowed if the tractor originally was equipped with one (for example Allis Chalmers D-19, Oliver 99 Detroit). The turbocharger will be of the original size and type that the tractor was equipped with.
SHIFTING – Shifting is not allowed. The driver has the option to make changes to gears in the first 75 feet of the track only (but only once).
PULLING CLASSIC - Pure stock tractors wising to pull in the classic class without wheelie bars must leave the drawbar at 16 inches.
Classic Class Pulling Rules & Regulations
The following rules are specific to the classic class.
All general rules apply unless expressly stated in this section.
TRACTOR YEAR - Tractors must be no newer than 1962 or from production models that started no later than 1962.
ORIGINAL PARTS - The tractor must be field-ready. All tractors must have original block, cylinder heads, and transmission according to the parts book for that year. No locked or welded differentials will be allowed. An air filter must be used, although, it may be any type. No fixed side shields will be allowed. Original equipment manufacturer’s pedestal only. No stripping such as starters, front wheels, etc.
WEIGHT INCREMENTS – Weight classes will be 3,000 – 10,000-pound classes at 500-pound increments. Pull organizers may coordinate with the sled operator to make changes to the available classes. Changes or additional classes will be announced during the sign-in period and at the driver’s meeting.
SPEED LIMIT - A speed no faster than 3 ½ MPH must be maintained while pulling. Speed will be measured by the pulling sled. Pullers have until the speed cone to reduce their speed. A horn will be used to indicate when a tractor exceeds the speed limit. Any speeding past the speed cone will result in disqualification. No measurement will be taken or refunds given after a disqualification.
DRAWBAR - The drawbar must be stationary in all directions and have a clevis or loop. The drawbar can be no higher than 18” and a minimum of 18” from the pull point to the center of the rear axle and pull poit original factory belly pull point of the tractor.
ENGING SPEED - 10% OVER STOCK RPM.
TIRES - No altered tires. Tire size will be no bigger than 18.4x38. Tire and rim to factory specifications. No tire chains, dual, or radial tires.
WHEELIE BARS – Wheelie Bars are mandatory. A “tattle-tail” chain may be used in place of wheelie bars. A 16” tattle tail chain will be attached in line with the center of the front wheel spindle. If the tractor’s front wheel lift and the chain is no longer touching the ground, the pull is over.
If wheelie bars are not used a 16" drawbar is required.
TURBOCHARGERS - Turbochargers are allowed if the tractor originally was equipped with one (for example Allis Chalmers D-19, Oliver 99 Detroit). The turbocharger will be of the original size and type that the tractor was equipped with.
SHIFTING – Shifting is not allowed. The driver has the option to make changes to gears in the first 75 feet of the track only (but only once).
Open Class Pulling Rules & Regulations
The following rules are specific to the open class.
All general rules apply unless expressly stated in this section.
TRACTOR YEAR - Tractors must be no newer than 1959 or from production models that started no later than 1959.
ORIGINAL PARTS - Tractors must have the stock engine, frames, transmission, rear end, and axle housings or manufacturer's replacement. Stock heads and their replacements are to remain unchanged in outside appearance. No 7 bolt main blocks on Olivers; no 12 port heads, and no 99 heads. AC-WC\WD\WD45 can use D-17 engine; IH-H350; M, 450. JD-A\B\G can use power blocks. No M-M (800) heads or blocks. Dual exhaust not allowed except after stock manifold. No Oliver 1600 heads.
PERMITTED MODIFICATIONS –
Tractors must be naturally aspirated. No turbos or blowers, except Oliver 99GM, etc….
Tractors manufactured to use diesel fuel only cannot be converted to gas or LP.
Any agriculture carburetor allowed. The number of barrels, throats, venture, etc…. must be that of the manufacturer’s replacement manifold permitted.
Enhanced electrical systems permitted.
WEIGHT INCREMENTS – Weight classes will be 3,500 – 6,500-pound classes at 500-pound increments plus 7,500- and 8,500-point classes. Pull organizers may coordinate with the sled operator to make changes to the available classes. Changes or additional classes will be announced during the sign-in period and at the driver’s meeting.
SPEED LIMIT - A speed no faster than 5 MPH must be maintained while pulling. Speed will be measured by the pulling sled. Pullers have until the speed cone to reduce their speed. A horn will be used to indicate when a tractor exceeds the speed limit. Any speeding past the speed cone will result in disqualification. No measurement will be taken or refunds given after a disqualification.
DRAWBAR - The drawbar must be stationary in all directions and have a clevis or loop. The drawbar can be no higher than 18” and a minimum of 18” from the pull point to the center of the rear axle and pull point original factory belly pull point of the tractor.
ENGING SPEED – Up to 20% OVER STOCK RPM allowed.
TIRES - No radial tires. No steel wheels. Two-wheel drive only. No duals. Any cut allowed on tires. Tire size regional choice 18.4x38 maximum.
WHEELIE BARS – Drawbars must not exceed 20” in height and less than 18” from the center of axle to hooking point. No part of the drawbar may extend rearward beyond the point of hook. Drawbars must be stationary in all directions.
SAFETY KILL SWITCH – All tractors must have a working safety kill switch. The recommended non-grounding , normally open tethered style kill switch should be installed on the rear of the tractor and easily accessible to attachment to the pulling sled. Tractors will not be permitted to pull without a safety kill switch or if the switch cannot be easily accessed. During the pulling, the kill switch will be connected first and removed last from the sled.
SHIFTING – Shifting of TAs allowed
RESTRICTED TRACTORS - Oliver 88, Farmall M, Massey 44, MM-U, JD-G, Case C/D, JD-A, 1940 and up and like tractors are not allowed in classes below 4500#. Massey 33, Oliver 77, JD-A 1939 and down and like tractors are not allowed in classes below 4000#.