The archive from UK Tractor Pulling Welland 2008

Welland 08
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 21:35:42

ben
Novice
Joined: 28 Oct 2006
Posts: 24
Location: Norwich
After visiting Welland this year I see the independents have a long way to go! Especially after all the comments last week about the apparent safety levels. Why do some pullers still insist on running tractors with bent exhaust pipes? One seemed to change direction for a different time of the day! First facing the crowd, then the sledge operator and finally down the track ready to spit a wheel over the mound at the end! Why are tractors still allowed to pull with no roll bars! Have you not seen enough pictures and videos to frighten you all to make them mandatory. Tractors with multiple turbos with no shielding and no cross bolts, I know that we are nearing a recession but can't people afford two 10mm nuts and bolts. Surprisingly I did see some tractors with what looked to be kill switch cables at the rear. Only to look closely and find there is no kill at all! Next is the amount of dust, when some tractors run you cannot see the sledge or the tractor. This must mean the sledge operator cannot see the tractor or where it is going, does this sound safe? The best is yet to come. WHY does a tractor have a propane bottle attached to it right next to the bell housing, with no clutch shielding. If the clutch was to let go on a big scale, it would be like a grenade going off. Sending pieces of cast iron in all directions, add to this a pressurised gas container what do you get!!!! BOOOOM I know it sounds like I am always going on, but if you had been in the sport as long as me you would understand. I have seen most of what can happen, and don't want to see it again!!!!!!


Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 16:46:14

Wookiee
Novice
Joined: 22 Nov 2007
Posts: 32
Location: Gutersloh, Germany
Having looked at the photo's posted of Welland 2008 i can understand some of your concerns! There does seem to be a rather varied level of safety features on the machines, not sure i would be too happy sitting on some of them! also the sledge is quite novel in the way that the sledge operator is actually sat looking at the rear of the sledge, strange!
_________________Why can't we just all pull (no pun intended) in the same direction to make this great sport even better?


Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 18:31:29

Bert
Novice
Joined: 15 May 2006
Posts: 22
Location: Gloucestershire
I would say 90% of the tractors where running kills and the relevent safety features, I know our tractor is. I find it funny that you still came to watch even though 'we are so unsafe' If you were so concerned, why didnt you come and have a chat with some of us and refrain from bad mouthing everyone on here.


Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 19:54:50

simon
Novice
Joined: 24 Oct 2006
Posts: 43
Location: evesham
wookie many of the early BTPA sledges had the opperator in this position back in the late 70s and early 80s,they then moved to the side and eventually the rear if I remember right.I can remember them wearing combine helmets because of the dust!!


Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 20:12:49

ben
Novice
Joined: 28 Oct 2006
Posts: 24
Location: Norwich
Wookiee wrote:
Having looked at the photo's posted of Welland 2008 i can understand some of your concerns! There does seem to be a rather varied level of safety features on the machines, not sure i would be too happy sitting on some of them! also the sledge is quite novel in the way that the sledge operator is actually sat looking at the rear of the sledge, strange!I am glad someone else can see the potential dangers, and you can see those just from a few pictures. I would be interested to know what your comments would be after seeing them close up???
bert wrote:
I would say 90% of the tractors where running kills and the relevent safety features, I know our tractor is. I find it funny that you still came to watch even though 'we are so unsafe' If you were so concerned, why didnt you come and have a chat with some of us and refrain from bad mouthing everyone on here.As I said in my earlier post, cables were attacheched at the rear, but most had nothing for it to connect to (tractor or sledge). Yes I did stand and watch, one thing I have learnt over the years is where to stand at an independent pull. It is normally as far away as possible and at the very end of the track. I have been told by many other people that have tried to educate the independents that whatever you say always falls on deaf ears, the "it'll never happen to us" attitude. If I had gone and said to the oragnisers my concerns what would they have said? Sometimes it is better for everyone to be in the know! One other thing. I see that you like to please yourself, would you be pleased with yourself if you injure or kill someone else?


Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 21:42:55

GEM
Board Veteran
Joined: 02 Aug 2006
Posts: 631
Location: Holmes Chapel, Cheshire

_________________Last Minute Mob


Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 21:46:16

Devils Dog
Senior Member
Joined: 31 Jul 2006
Posts: 230
Location: Gillingham, Dorset
Yours went well giles... you at Great dorset
_________________Kev.


Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 21:51:39

GEM
Board Veteran
Joined: 02 Aug 2006
Posts: 631
Location: Holmes Chapel, Cheshire
yea im going.im realy pleased with it kev.abit of a result!!
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Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 21:54:00

onky
Senior Member
Joined: 19 Jan 2008
Posts: 163
Location: whixall nr whitchurch shropshire
not seen you pull before giles faredoes it goes well


Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 21:54:30

Devils Dog
Senior Member
Joined: 31 Jul 2006
Posts: 230
Location: Gillingham, Dorset
well done bud... Ill get mine going for dorset it was a bit rushed.. bloody thing didn't even start when it did it blew the boost pipes up.
_________________Kev.


Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 21:58:41

GEM
Board Veteran
Joined: 02 Aug 2006
Posts: 631
Location: Holmes Chapel, Cheshire
well im going wednesday there i think.i was surprised it lasted.thought it would of bit the dust.lol
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Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 22:05:22

Devils Dog
Senior Member
Joined: 31 Jul 2006
Posts: 230
Location: Gillingham, Dorset
Ideal see you there i'll be in on the saturday before for my weeks holiday!!!
_________________Kev.


Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 22:06:34

GEM
Board Veteran
Joined: 02 Aug 2006
Posts: 631
Location: Holmes Chapel, Cheshire
ah rite,hows ya tractor goin?
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Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 22:11:05

Devils Dog
Senior Member
Joined: 31 Jul 2006
Posts: 230
Location: Gillingham, Dorset
not too bad i wasn't going to take it too welland so it was a bit of a last minuite dash. Should be ok for dorset though just wants putting back together properly.
_________________Kev.


Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 10:20:40

GEM
Board Veteran
Joined: 02 Aug 2006
Posts: 631
Location: Holmes Chapel, Cheshire
ah rite,after looking at pictures from welland a few years ago,wot eva happened to a major with homemade mudguards that said wessex fencing down them?? w f e e s n s c e i x n g
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Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:08:06

Dave
Guest
Ruff n Ready was sold a couple of years ago to a man in wiltshire, it was at the steam fair last year and will be there again this year i expect

Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 13:49:09

GEM
Board Veteran
Joined: 02 Aug 2006
Posts: 631
Location: Holmes Chapel, Cheshire
cheers dave.was it a cargo engine?
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Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 16:13:36

Dave
Guest
its a 365 engine

Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 18:11:15

Devils Dog
Senior Member
Joined: 31 Jul 2006
Posts: 230
Location: Gillingham, Dorset
I'ts my mate stu's from three legged cross, shes only a standard cargo but chugs on ok...
_________________Kev.


Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 19:41:12

maseytrailblazer
Aprentice
Joined: 08 Dec 2006
Posts: 52
Location: Ayrshire
With reference to the safety concerns at the Welland pull, I have since fitted cross bolts to my exhaust and have cut off the bend at the top. I have also moved the propane away from the clutch housing. However, in my defence I am at present only using an organic clutch drive plate and therefore do not consider slipping the clutch in the process of launching the tractor. Do you think the organic clutch would still drive the tractor down the track with the sort of heat the BTPA members must have in their clutches? I think not! I have recently fitted wheelie bars to my tractor and the tractor also has a factory fitted roll frame. In the near future I am planning to fit a kill switch and have no plans to upgrade the engine without first installing a steel flywheel and clutch for reasons of safety and handling power. I plan to shotblast and paint the entire tractor but not before making all relevant modifications required. Finally I would welcome any constructive feedback. Regards Alex.


Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 22:11:57

Rob
Newby
Joined: 06 Jul 2007
Posts: 7
Location: Rochdale,lancashire!
how do alex! how's the 168 running then?
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Huge thanks and respect
Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 01:24:26

AirPol
Novice
Joined: 07 Oct 2007
Posts: 28
Location: Gloucestershire
Thanks go to all those that worked so hard ensuring the pulling went without a hitch and with great success. Thankfully Squirrel didn't suffer from heat stroke and was able to commentate well into the night. It was fantastic to see the crowds put up with the heat and the dust clearly enjoying the show. I pulled several times over the 3 days, thoroughly enjoyed it and was grateful for the encouragement. I know how much organisation and effort went into providing this entertainment before, during and after the event WELL DONE EVERYONE.
_________________Pollution is blue. Those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones...