Central Maryland Antique Tractor Club, Inc.

2008 Antique Tractor Pulling Rules – All Rules Are Binding

1)       The tractor model must be in production in 1959 or before, not serial number specific, to qualify as an antique and pull in the 2,600lb, 3,000lb, 4,500lb open, 3,800lb, 5,000lb, 5,500lb open, 6,000lb, 6,500lb open, 7,000lb, 7,500lb open, 8,000lb, 9,000lb, and 10,000lb classes.

2)      Tractors must not have:

A.     Rear tires that are no more than one size wider than manufactures’ specifications.

B.     Tire tread that has been cut, ground, or altered in any way other than normal wear.

C.     The old-style wheels that were used with no rubber tires and are commonly called iron or steel wheels and tracks.

D.     Dual wheels.

E.      Tire chains.

F.      Rear wheel sizes that are not to manufactures’ specifications (diameter) unless tires for that size are not available. In this case, one size larger or smaller may be used.

3)      Tractors must have proper part number on the block for year of manufacturer or a manufacturers’ replacement number based on tractor serial number.

A.     Engine cylinders must be not bored or sleeved more than .125 than the manufacturers’ standard specifications.

B.     Outside components on the engine that would affect the horsepower of the tractor must be to factory specifications.

C.     Tractor must have stock cooling system in operation.

D.     Crankshaft cannot be stroked.

E.      Tractors may have electric ignitions contained within stock distributors.

4)      Tractor must have a belly-type drawbar, if standard equipment and cannot be connected to the top control arms unless arms are made stationary or are mounted as stock equipment. Drawbar and hitching device should be rigid in all directions, excluding a clevis.

A.     The steel hitching device will be horizontal with a 3” round hole, maximum 31/2” round hole and will be 1” round or square steel, if drawbar doesn’t meet above specifications, a twisted clevis will be provided by club.

B.     The top of the hitching device must be no higher than 20 inches from the ground and the hitching point no less than 18 inches from the center of the axle.

C.     In the 2,600lb class the hitching device must be no higher than 18 inches from the ground. CMATC requires the use of wheelie bars for tractors pulling in points competition, see picture for specifications. Any tractor not pulling for points without wheelie bars will be required to use a measuring chain to eliminate the tractor front end from excessive height. The chain will be placed 12 inches behind center of the front axle with 12 inches dragging ground. If the chain leaves the ground before 50-foot mark, tractor will be stopped with option to restart, after 50-foot mark tractor will be measured at that point.

D.     An exception will be made for any tractor that is not able to comply with current specifications to brace off the drawbar for wheely bars, subject to approval of the safety committee with a picture to be taken to be put on file.

5)      Duration of pull: any time tractor is hooked to sled.

6)      Drivers must be seated at all times while pulling. Track officials and Safety Committee have the authority to enforce rules and all decisions are final.

7)      All weights must be secured; if any drop off and touch the ground during the pull, you will be disqualified.

A.     Weights are not allowed to extend beyond the rear edge of the rear tire. No weight should be placed beyond 24 inches measuring from further most point of tractor, excluding weight bracket and crank.

8)      All tractors must be equipped with hood and grill if standard, (side curtains optional).

A.     If tractor is set up for four wheels, it must have four wheels and tires.

B.      Standard components (frames, transmissions, case, rear ends and housing, front ends, gas tanks; exceptions will be made for LP tanks, and excluding axles) may not be modified or substituted.

C.     Tires and wheels of tractor in antique classes must be within one size of standard specifications.

D.     Press steel wheels will be allowed but no weld on hubs.

9)      No governor strings or wires are permitted. Tractors have to be operated under governor power and governor should be set to factory specifications.

A.     Governors must not exceed no more than 15% RPM of the stock list posted in the trailer and are not to exceed 3,000 RPM.

B.     All operators are responsible to check their own tractors and to see that they comply with standards posted in the trailer using the CMATC tachometer. Track official has the option to have RPM’s checked before the tractor leaves the track.

10)   Rear-ends and transmission gears must be stock per factory specifications and be complete.

A.     After a participant has begun his or her pull, shifting gears are forbidden. Shifting of TA or similar power-shift devices will be allowed without stopping forward motion.

B.     Speed cannot exceed 4 1/2 mph for stock classes and 6 mph for open classes.

C.     First sound of horn will be a warning of excessive speed. Driver must slow to stop horn immediately. Second sound of horn will be a disqualification.

11)   Before hooking tractor to the sled and after pull when unhooking, the tractor must be in neutral and driver must raise his/her hands in the air. Driver is to remain in this position until person hooking the sled to tractor indicates he has completed the hook-up.

A.     Allowances will be made for tractors with hand clutches and hand brakes allowing the operator to use one hand.

12)   All pulls are to be started from a tight hitch; no jerking.

13)  When hooking and unhooking an area of 12 inches above and 6-8 inches wide at the hooking point must be clear of everything but stock equipment. No weights are permitted in this area.

14)   Tractor tires must stay within the rope boundaries, which will be 20 feet past the 160 foot track, of the course or will be disqualified.

15)   Drivers must be properly dressed; this includes shirts, blouses, pants, skirts, shoes, etc.

16)   Contestants will be allowed a second attempt if he or she does not pull beyond the 50 foot mark.

A.     Pull-offs are allowed one attempt only.

17)   First puller in each class is a test puller and has the option to drop to third position. Driver must tell the track official before leaving the track if he/she wants to pull on third position. Test puller may return in third position if disqualified for out-of-bounds or dropped weight or speeding in the first attempt.

18)   The only fuels permitted are gasoline, diesel, LP gas and kerosene. No other fuels are permitted. Only one at a time.

19)   The track official has the right to inspect any and all tractors while on the track.

A.     The safety committee has the right to inspect any and all tractors at any time.

20)   Track official and Safety Committee have the authority to enforce rules and all decisions are finial. Any discrepancy will go before the Executive Board, and you will be notified of their decision before the next pull.

21)   Protest Rules: Protester must submit in writing the specific owner of the tractor, the points number, if not available the serial number of the tractor protesting, the rule offending and a specific complaint along with the protest fee ($100 external and $500 internal) to the protest committee (Executive Board) during the day of the rule violation. All inspections will be reviewed the day of the protest and if need be will be taken to a neutral location for further inspection. The protest committee will render a decision in writing, if possible, no latter than 15 days from date of protest. Points will be held in reserve at point of protest until a decision is made, if guilty points will be taken away until tractor is proved legal.

A.     Sheet metal does not make it an internal part.

22)   Upon registration of tractor for pull, each participate will draw a number. Participants will pull in consecutive order beginning with lowest number.

23)   Wherever possible and practical, pulling track will be 20 feet wide with a 10 foot zone on each side for total of 40 feet. This 10 foot zone will be kept clear of people.

24)   Any person who blocks the track with a tractor, or by other means, for the purpose of delaying a tractor pull shall be eliminated from participation for one calendar year plus one day.

25)   After track official (flagman) indicates sled is ready, contestant has three minutes to position tractor for hook up.

26)   All non-comp tractors must meet specifications of classes pulling in with exception of weight but not to exceed the next class.

27)   A tractor having been disqualified in the present class may not reenter in competition in the same class.

28)   Tractor operator must be able to operate all tractor controls from a seated position. Decision on small children will be made by the track official and/or Safety Committee.

29)   Track official must tell puller status of pull before tractor leaves the track.

30)   Tractor operators, officials and track workers may not be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs before or during the pull.

31)   Tractors are classed for pulling by weight and year of manufacture. The driver weighing the tractor must pull the tractor in that class. To enter a class competitively tractor plus driver must not exceed the weight for the class they are pulling.

32)  A. Owner of tractor must have paid dues by the end of the first pull, in order to receive points.

B. Driver of tractor must be a paid member in order for tractor to receive points.

33)   OPEN CLASSES: Year of manufacture 1959 or older; weight classes are as follows: 4,5000lb Open, 5,500lb Open, 6,500lb Open, 7,500lb Open. All club pulling rules are binding with the exception of:

A.     Rear tires and wheels may be of any size combination.

B.     Tire tread may be cut, ground, or altered in any way.

C.     All internal engine parts may be modified.

D.     Wheely bars are mandatory in all open classes. And meet CMATC specifications.

E.      Open class tractors are allowed to run a quality modified hub.

F.      Kill switch is MANDITORY.

G.     All ignition systems are permitted.

H.     Aftermarket cooling equipment, fan and circulating pump, are permitted in place of stock equipment.

I.        Side shields are mandatory; must be factory shields or fabricated shields at least a thickness of .060” aluminum or .045” steel.

J.       Governor must be set to no more than 30% RPM of the stock list posted in the trailer and not to exceed 3,000 RPM.

K.    Additional braking equipment will be acceptable.

Wheelie Bar Specifications

1)      The wheelie (stabilizer) bar system must be able to support the weight of the tractor in the heaviest class pulled. May be tested by jacking up the pads so the tractor is completely off the ground to prove the system has adequate support ability.

2)      The front edge of the 5” x 5” pad must start at or behind the rear most point of the tire. The pad must not be more than 10 inches off the ground.

3)      The pad must be a minimum of 5 inches square with a minimum of 20 inches allowed from the outside of one pad to the outside of the other pad. No wheels are permitted. The pad must be positioned on the bottom of the stabilizer bar and be parallel to the ground.

4)      Wheelie bar and the bar assembly is not to be mounted to the drawbar and drawbar assembly.