How to Build a Pulling Garden Tractor

A pulling tractor is a garden tractor designed to quickly pull weight.

Tractor pulls are a potential source of advertising and income for your business, not to mention a popular motorsport. A garden tractor can become a pulling tractor after a few necessary improvements, such as a modified engine, transmission and upgraded wheels and tires. Garden tractors typically have a one-cylinder or two-cylinder engine that is situated in the front of the tractor; their frames are similar to those found on automobiles and their axles are made of steel. Pulling tractors are modified work tractors that race against other tractors to see which machine can pull a weighted sled the length of a 300-foot track the fastest, according to Engine Builder magazine.

Planning the Build

1. Define the scope of your project, including the budget for the build, how many pulls you want to run the tractor in and how far you are willing to travel. Engine Builder identifies several classes in which your pulling garden tractor can compete; typically, the more modifications you make to your garden tractor, the more expensive the project becomes. Spread your resources judiciously across the entire project, from travel expenses to building and repairing the tractor, instead of sinking all of your resources into building the most powerful tractor.

2. Research pulling classes for garden tractors, taking note of all requirements and regulations the tractor must meet before it can compete. Most pulling tractors use modified diesel engines, according to Engine Builder, but there are also classes for tractors that run on gasoline or alcohol. Classes of tractors range from stock tractors, which are not extensively modified, to highly modified classes, according to the website Garden Tractor Pulling Tips.

3. Secure financing for the tractor build, as well as commitments from the people you need to help you complete the project. Unless you can afford to finance the entire operation out of pocket, approach financial institutions or even potential business partners to acquire all of the funding you will need to see the build through from start to finish. If you plan to hire anyone to help you build or operate the pulling tractor, such as a driver or a specialty mechanic or engine builder, be sure they can commit to your project to ensure it is finished according to schedule.

Building the Tractor

1. Find the tractor that will serve as your starting point. The tractor may already be in your possession, but if it isn't, consult printed and online classified ads as well as trade magazines -- even tractor pullers and farmers -- to find a tractor. Because your pulling tractor will be modified and custom-built, it is not necessary to begin with a new tractor or a used one in immaculate condition; instead, focus on finding a tractor with a powertrain -- the engine, transmission and axles -- that is in good working order.

2. Rebuild the engine with performance parts, including turbochargers, aluminum engine blocks and valve heads and a racing fuel delivery system. The parts you will need, and the parts you are allowed to use, will vary based upon the class of tractor you are building, according to Engine Builder magazine. Don't forget about the smaller, constituent parts of the high-performance engine, such as gaskets, hoses and engine lubricants that can handle the additional horsepower and heat your pulling tractor's engine will produce.

3. Modify the clutch and the transmission's gears to accommodate increased output from the engine. The factory-issued clutch, which is the part which allows the transmission to shift gears, can be replaced with a double or triple disc clutch with increased spring pressure, according to Allied Precision Products; that will prevent the clutch from breaking or warping when the driver changes gears. To maintain their structural integrity under pressure, replace factory-issued gears with high-performance gears milled from titanium or aluminum.

4. Upgrade the tractor's wheels and tires. The exact specifications for wheels and tires will vary based on the type of garden tractor you are building, though garden tractors pull the best when their rear tires bear most of the weight and the front tires barely touch the ground, according to the website Garden Tractor Pulling Tips. Choose tires that allow the tractor to pull weight quickly without sacrificing a firm connection with the racetrack.

5. Ensure the tractor is mechanically sound, then enhance its aesthetic appeal with paint, chrome accessories and signs that represent your business. When your tractor roars down the racetrack, it represents your business as well as anyone who has sponsored the tractor. Use any resources at your disposal to ensure the tractor makes a good impression on anyone who sees it -- no matter if you win or lose the pull.

Things You Will Need

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• Garden tractor
• High-performance engine parts
• High-performance clutch and gears
• Tractor paint and accessories

Tip

Some garden tractor classes allow pulling teams to use weights to improve the grip the tractor tires have on the ground. Consider using weights if your tractor's class permits it.