The weight transfer sled

The sled as it is called in tractor pulling.  Is a mechanical operated machine that transfers weight form the back end where the wheels are to the front toward the pulling tractor applying force onto the skid slowing the tractor down until it can no longer move it. 

The sled has many adjustments to it, from the speed of the weight box to placing weights at different lotions.

The Box:

              The box sits on top of the sled and is moved toward the front by two cables that are driven by the wheels through a set of belts and pulleys. The faster the tractor pulls the sled the faster the box moves.  The speed of the box can be changed by changing the size of pulleys. This will help on determining how far the tractor can go before coming to a stop.  Weights are placed inside the box.

Skid plate (skid):

              The skid plate is the part of the sled that slides on the ground.  This causes friction and makes it hard for the tractor to move.  As more weight is added to the skid it becomes even harder to move.

Sled adjustments:

              There is many sled adjustments that can be made to performing this operation.  

 1. Weight box can have weight added or removed. 

 2. Skid plate can have weight added or removed. 

 3. speed of the box.

 4. weight can be added or removed on several different points of the sled. 

 5. The weight needs to be balanced between the box and the skid.  To much weight on the skid and the tractor will not be able to move it to get started.  To much in the box and it will bring the sled to a stop sooner. Making it a short pull. 

Sled operator:

              The sled operator has many jobs to perform.  It is there job to set up the sled for each class.  They have to determine how much weight to put on the sled and were.  Also the speed of the box which determines how far the tractor will go.  It is also there job to keep everyone safe.  The operator can stop the pull whenever they feel it is not safe to go on.  The operator also brings the sled back to the starting point. 

Flag Man:

              There job is to let the driver of the tractor know the sled and everyone involved is ready for he or she to start pulling.  Like the sled operator they also try to keep everyone safe.  They also can stop the pull if it is not safe to go on.  

Sled safety devices. 

 1. Lights;  the sled is equipped with a set of red and green lights.  The operator will turn on red lights to let the flag man and everyone that the sled is not ready to start.  Then the green light comes on telling the flag man and everyone that it is ready to go.   

 2. Horn; it is to warn the driver to stop the pull in the event that something went or going wrong. 

 3. Kill switch; a cable that goes to tractors equipped with a kill switch to shut the tractor off in case of an emergency. 

Lakes Area Tractor Pullers sled is named "Blue Ox"

Anyone ready to take on the ox?

The Blue Ox is currently being modified so it can hopefully be used for mini rod tractors.  Being equipped with a larger skid plate and air bags for more friction and weight displacement to stop a mini rod tractor. 

Mini Rod Tractor and Blue Ox sled