Vivian Marlowe
Tractor pulling is a sport that has been gaining traction over the years. The sport involves tractors that have been modified to output an insane amount of power. The engines are usually supercharged or turbocharged, with some setups featuring multiple turbos stacked on top of each other to produce boost levels of over 100 psi. The highest level of tractor pulling features Super Stock tractors, which can weigh up to 8000 pounds and produce over 5000 horsepower. These tractors are usually powered by diesel or alcohol-converted engines and feature some of the most exotic aftermarket components available.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Turbo boost | 130-150 psi |
| Horsepower | 5,000 |
| Fuel | Alcohol, diesel, methanol |
| Engine | 540ci IH inline-six, DT466 |
| Turbocharger | Holset-based, 4-turbo |
| Turbo boost rule of thumb | 1 psi = 10 hp |
| Turbo boost pressure | 30,000 psi |
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What You'll Learn
- Turbo boost in alcohol pulling tractors can reach 130-150 psi
- Alcohol-powered pulling tractors can be Chrysler or Chevrolet-based
- The Super Stock class is the highest calibre of pulling tractors
- Turbo boost is split three ways to reduce stress on the turbos
- Turbochargers are often stacked on top of each other to increase boost
Turbo boost in alcohol pulling tractors can reach 130-150 psi
The Super Stock class of vehicles denotes the highest calibre in the sport, with production-based engines and some of the most exotic aftermarket components. These tractors can have multiple turbochargers, water-to-air intercoolers, and massive mechanical injection pumps.
Alcohol-powered tractor engines are predominantly Chrysler or Chevrolet platforms, with some competitors combining the two to create more powerful engines. The Chrysler Hemi and the big block Chevrolet are the most popular.
Turbo boost of 130-150 psi is achieved by splitting the job three ways, reducing the stress on the turbos. This is done by Wimer Fuel Injection & Turbo, who utilise a T6 turbine inlet flange and an 8-blade compressor wheel.
The high boost levels in tractor pulling require custom parts to withstand the pressure. For example, Custom Floaters in Brookpark, Ohio, has developed hydro-formed steel housings for alcohol-based applications. These housings are SFI-certified and can withstand the debris of a clutch or torque converter explosion.
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Alcohol-powered pulling tractors can be Chrysler or Chevrolet-based
Tractor pulling is a sport based on horsepower and torque, which means that the engine must be modified to generate as much power as possible. Engines can include drag racing automotive types, jet turbines, aircraft, and industrial engines in various configurations. Trucks can come in two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive (naturally aspirated, blown, or diesel), and semis.
When it comes to alcohol-powered tractor pulling engines, two platforms are considered the best on the market and most commonly used: Chrysler and Chevrolet. Adam Koester of Koester Racing combines the best qualities of both engine platforms to create something even better. Koester's engines produce around 3,200 horsepower, are 557 cid, and feature a 4.375" stroke and 4.500" bore.
The power rating of Koester's engines goes solely based on the supercharger or air introduced into the engine. With an 8-71, the engine produces around 2,500 horsepower. Moving up to a 14-71, it can achieve over 3,000-3,200 horsepower. Transitioning to screw blowers, the engine can generate 3,500-3,800 horsepower. With the bigger screw blower, a 20% increase in size results in 4,000 horsepower. Finally, adding turbos and ProChargers can push the engine well over 5,000 horsepower.
To achieve such high power outputs, Koester manufactures his own cylinder heads, rockers, valve covers, and intake manifolds. He also uses Bryant billet crankshafts, GRP connecting rods, CP pistons, Victory valves, PAC springs, and Callies camshafts and crankshafts.
In the world of diesel truck and tractor pulling, the "Super Stock" category denotes the highest caliber vehicles. These elite tractors feature production-based engines paired with exotic aftermarket components. Multiple turbochargers, water-to-air intercoolers, and massive mechanical injection pumps are commonly found under the hood.
Turbo boost levels in tractor pulling have reached impressive levels, with some setups producing over 300 psi of overall boost. To manage such extreme conditions, each turbo may be equipped with a ball bearing center cartridge for enhanced durability.
The technology and horsepower in tractor pulling are truly remarkable. The sport continues to push the boundaries of what's possible with engine performance, and the advancements made by competitors like Koester showcase the innovative approaches taken to maximize power and efficiency.
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The Super Stock class is the highest calibre of pulling tractors
Tractor pulling is an extreme sport that involves machines capable of producing epic levels of power and technology. In the world of diesel truck and tractor pulling, the Super Stock class denotes the highest calibre of pulling tractors. These elite vehicles are equipped with some of the most advanced and exotic aftermarket components available.
Super Stock tractors can be fuelled by either diesel or alcohol, depending on the class, and they utilise multiple turbochargers to generate immense power. The engines in this class are typically modified versions of John Deere and International diesel engines, which have been tuned and enhanced to deliver maximum performance.
The Super Stock class showcases the cutting edge of tractor pulling technology. These tractors often feature concrete-filled or replica blocks and heads, along with water-to-air intercoolers and large mechanical injection pumps. The engines can produce thousands of horsepower, with some capable of exceeding 3,000 horsepower.
One notable example of a Super Stock tractor is Brandon Hunt's 8,000-pound Case IH, named "Liv'n A Dream". This tractor has achieved remarkable success, winning the NTPA's Region VI points championship in 2016 and 2018, and claiming first place at the National Tractor Pulling Championship in 2019. "Liv'n A Dream" is a true masterpiece of engineering, with a re-cast replica block, a billet crankshaft, forged rods, and Diamond pistons.
The Super Stock class represents the pinnacle of tractor pulling, where the combination of advanced technology, extreme power, and skilled driving come together to create a thrilling spectacle for fans and competitors alike.
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Turbo boost is split three ways to reduce stress on the turbos
In the world of tractor pulling, diesel engines or diesel engines converted to run on alcohol are the norm. These engines use compound turbo systems that stack multiple turbos on top of one another to produce extremely high levels of boost.
Turbo boost is now around 140 pounds in the engines that Scheid builds for the Super Stock class, which maxes out at 7,500 pounds vehicle weight on an 18-x-34-inch tire. With that much torque, the drivetrain takes a beating.
Brandon Hunt's 8,000-pound Super Stock Case IH, "Liv'n A Dream", is a prime example of a tractor in this category. At full song, the trio of turbos bolted to Liv'n A Dream produces more than 300 psi of overall boost. To handle this level of abuse, each turbo is equipped with a ball bearing centre cartridge.
To reduce the stress on the turbos, the boost is split three ways. This setup allows the turbos to operate without being pushed to their limits, as is the case with two-turbo compound arrangements. By distributing the boost across multiple turbos, the likelihood of engine failure due to excessive pressure is reduced.
It is important to note that while these setups can produce incredible levels of boost, they require careful management to prevent engine damage. Too much boost can lead to blown head gaskets, fuel system issues, or overheating. Additionally, the size and design of the turbochargers play a significant role in lag reduction, with larger turbos producing more power but having higher inertia.
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Turbochargers are often stacked on top of each other to increase boost
Turbochargers are a common feature in the world of high-performance vehicles, including those in tractor pulling competitions. These competitions often feature tractors with diesel engines or diesel engines converted to run on alcohol, utilising compound turbo systems with multiple turbochargers stacked on top of each other to achieve extreme levels of boost.
The purpose of stacking turbochargers is to increase the boost pressure delivered to the engine, thereby enhancing its performance. Each turbocharger in the sequence compresses the intake air further, resulting in a cumulative effect on the overall boost pressure. For example, in a compound twin-turbo system, the first turbocharger might triple the intake pressure, and the subsequent turbocharger would further triple the pressure, resulting in a total boost of nine times the atmospheric pressure.
The use of multiple turbochargers allows for more efficient use of exhaust gas flow to spin the turbines. By employing smaller turbochargers, the system can achieve reduced turbo lag, which refers to the delay between pressing the throttle and the turbocharger providing boost pressure. This delay is caused by the time it takes for the exhaust gas flow to spin up the turbine to the required speeds. With smaller turbochargers, lower exhaust gas flow rates can still achieve sufficient boost, improving the responsiveness of the engine.
In addition to stacking turbochargers, other methods can be employed to further increase boost. Variable-geometry turbochargers, for instance, utilise adjustable vanes inside the turbine housing to alter the effective aspect ratio as operating conditions change. This allows the turbocharger to maintain its optimum aspect ratio across a range of engine speeds, reducing lag and improving efficiency.
The pursuit of higher boost pressures in tractor pulling competitions has led to impressive innovations in turbocharger technology. These advancements have resulted in extreme levels of boost, with some tractors achieving over 100 psi of boost pressure. However, it is important to note that there can be too much boost, as it increases the danger of "knock," where the temperature of the compressed air becomes high enough to ignite the fuel prematurely.
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Frequently asked questions
Turbo boost can get up to 150 psi in alcohol pulling tractors.
Turbo boost refers to the air pressure generally produced by turbos or superchargers.
Higher turbo boosts can feed engines with insane levels of power.
Compound turbo systems have multiple turbos stacked on top of one another to make insane levels of boost to feed their engines.
Some of the classes are Modified Minis, Super Stock, and Two-Wheel-Drive tractors.
