History

Home History Schedule Rules Photos Results ContactsThe Sled

 

 

 

The sled, circa 1986, was very light and note that the driver area was very limited. The weights in the box were what we call pig iron. Just logs of iron which we would have to throw out for sled adjustment and also hauling of the sled from location to location.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sled circa 1988.   Observe the tractor that is there ready to tow it back as well as the number of people it took to change a sled setting.  We would usually have to throw out weights out of the box to correct the setting. At this time we had graduated to mostly handing tractor weights so it made it a little easier to throw them out of the box.

 

 

                                                                                                                  

 

 

The Current sled was built in 1994 by Keith Tatroe with help from his sons Kevin and Ken as well as other members of the Tri-County Pullers. This was the result of many years of planning and observing other sleds and just being sick and tired of needing to have the sled towed back to the starting line.  The self propelled sled made a great difference in the quality of show we are able to have. If the need arises for a change to be made to the transfer, there are 2 transmissions as well as 2 air bags that can all be adjusted to fit the needs of the class as well as the track conditions.

 

The Changes over the Years

 

 

 

 

Tri-County Pullers, Inc was started in the late 1970’s by Bob Reidl and at that time the classes were for garden type tractors. Then the modifications began. In 1984, there were 3 classes of stock tractors, 900, 1100, 1300 lb with a maximum of 16 h.p., and 5 classes of Modified tractors, Twin engine 1100 lb, 1150 & 1200 4 cylinder and 1500 & 1600 8 or 6 cyl. with a max of 305 cubic inches. The entry fee at that time was $6 per class. The original TCP logo looked like this:

 
 

In 1985 the cubic inch limit was raised to 400 cu. in. for the Super modified class with weight limits of 1650 and 1750lbs. Tractors with tires larger than 31x15.5x15  up to 18.4x16.1 were allowed to pull but with a draw bar height handicap of 12”. The Super stock and Twin cylinder divisions were eliminated for the 1988 season. Also in 1988 Tri-County Pullers was incorporated as a non-stock corporation. In 1989, the 18.4 x16.1 tires were official and the handicap was removed.  In 1990 Fire jackets were now a must and the Open V- 8 class had a maximum of 520 cubic inches. We also created an open small block class that same year. In 1992 the current logo was adopted.

 
 

The next big change came in 1993 with the addition of the Econo-mod class and the changes to the Open class of permanently keeping the 520 cubic inch limit that was started in 1990 and adding Blown small blocks to the mix. At this time the unlimited small block class was eliminated but the small blocks were given a 50 lb handicap for the Open V-8 class.  It was also voted on and passed that the classes would no longer be open for review except for good causes such as safety or low tractor count. In 2003 Tri-County changed to only 1 weight class per division.  In 2004, the open class was amended to a maximum of 575 cubic inches. For the 2006 season we saw the elimination of the 4 cylinder class due to low tractor count. In 2007 we have approximately 34 tractors in the 3 divisions. We have several members who have been pulling continually since the early 1980’s and 2006 saw the biggest class of open tractors ever. The vitality of the club is as well as ever.

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