NEWB Puller Here....
 

Went to the local track to watch for the first time yesterday. Found one for sale and I bought it. I think I got a decent deal on it.

I was advised to get a 16/18 gear set for the transmission (already ordered)
I also bought some suit case weights,Velocity stack, new header and a few other little items.
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...8/102_0179.jpg
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...8/102_0178.jpg
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...8/102_0182.jpg
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...8/102_0183.jpg
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...8/102_0184.jpg

Good looking puller hjsmith00843 :ThumbsUp:

Your puller is pretty tough looking! :ThumbsUp:

Thanks.. It will look much better when I am done. Will the 16/18 gear set be a improvement over the stock gears?

oops double post. Anyway what steering wheel will fit? I would like to change it out to one that suits me a little better.

Hi hjsmith00843,
Welcome to the fun of Garden tractor pulling. If your rear end has the stock gears in them, it comes with a 13 tooth first, (depending on models) either a 16, 17, or 19 tooth second, and a 26 tooth 3rd. The tooth count used by pullers is always the number of teeth on the slider gear of the top shaft of the upper and lower gear combination. If someone recommended a 16-18 gear set, they are recommending that you change out the 2nd - 3rd combination. A stock tractor has a real hard time using the factory third. I'm guessing you have a 12 hp stock engine. Where we pull we can't run those rear tires in our stock class.

As for the steering wheel, the steering shaft is splined unique. There were some Grant adapters that sort of fit, but I can't remember. Midwest Super Cub has a splined adapter that fits the steering shaft and Grant wheels. My puller looked almost identical to yours a few years ago. I really like the red and black combination.

I just ordered me a new carb. I pulled this one off and it was gunked up and full of white deposits. Throttle shaft bushing was also junk. (my guess e85)

So I ordered a new carb
Here are the weights I ordered x2 sets http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...#ht_1754wt_908

Here is the gear set 16/18 http://www.mcssl.com/store/midwestsu...sion-gear-sets

Here is the velocity stack.
http://www.mcssl.com/store/midwestsu...ingle-cylinder



Here is the header
http://www.mcssl.com/store/midwestsu...-exhaust-pipes

Bought this tip (if it looks ok I will use it if not it was cheap)
I will have to mod it a little to get it to work.
Might just slip it over the header and keep the header stock
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...#ht_1734wt_901

When I go through it after this season I have decided on the paint scheme I would like to use.

all black with white letters. I want to do a pow/mia theme.

I lost some really good freinds in 2003 during operation Iraqi freedom.


also if I move my battery to a lower location will that help? I was thinking about moving it in front of the motor. This would move it alot lower and closer to the front. I would have to cut off the excess portion of the crankshaft. Can I do that?

That would be a nice paint scheme. I was in during Desert Shield, but didn't make it over there. Some guys move their batteries, some don't. Depending if you pull a stock class, some clubs use a contact less or infrared RPM detector shooting at reflective tape on the crankshaft. If you cut off the excess, they may not be able to get an accurate RPM reading. Do you have a copy of your club's rules? Clubs have different rules for different classes, what works in my club may not work in yours and vice versa.

Thanks for your service.

I did alot to it today to get it ready for tomorrow.
Installed my new Brian Miller carb
Installed new clutch spring (red)
replace the release bearing lever (old stock one was cracked)
Installed the new header and made a new bracket for it
Changed the oil
Installed some diamond plate foot rest pads
Replaced the breather cover and gasket

Ohh I also installed a Barry Grant GT steering wheel in today as well. (looks awesome)

after my first weekend of pulling I have decied that this is one heck of a fun time.


First I went to a very nice private track. It was very loose and needed water. But I was pulling very well. Out of the 5 tractors there I pulled the most distance. (others were way overpowered for the track conditions)

then I went to my first competitive pull. I was running in the 12HP 950 1050 and 1150 classes

I almost made a full pull in the 950 class but when the tractor started to pull to the left I leaned to the right. (completly backwards)

For the 1050 the motor bogged out around mid track. I did not get out of the hole very well.

In the 1150 class I finished 2nd by 15 feet

My gearing in the transmission is stock gearing so I do not have enough pulling power.


Then on Sunday there was a fundraiser for a boys and girls home about 45 minutes from my home. When I arrived I was shocked at how many tractors were there. I would have to guess about 200 or so.,

In the 950 class I finished 3rd 1050 I finished 6th and the 1150 I finished 5th or 6th. My class had about 15 (I think)


Before my mext pull I will have made alot of changes to the tractor. I converted to methanol, Install a LP head, change the tranny gears so I have 2 pulling gears. 15/17

Installing a new fuel pump that is alky safe. (holley red with low pressure regulator)

Then to make it go faster I am going to put new stickers on it. (if the plotter is here on time)

So I should be a little better next time.

I also need to learn the best way to put the weights on for track conditions.

Ohh I am also going to streach the front out to get a longer wheel base.

This is so much fun and I have not spent this much time with my dad since I was in middle school. It feels good to be having fun with him again.


Yep I am long winded LOL....

I doubt the E85 cause the white deposits. Any fuel that has gone bad will cause the white deposits. E85 can be a good fuel to run if you use good fuel storage habits.

My son uses a motorcycle battery in his puller. They take less space and weigh less....plus they are easier to relocate. Another area he change is the ability to change the top gear in the reduction box. He has a split cover on the front of his reduction cover. He can run a 10% over gear depending on track condiations. It makes his 17 tooth gear act like a 18 tooth gear. He can change the top gear in 10 to 15 minutes.

Good balance is the key in pulling. You should be able to run the front wheels off the ground an inch or so with the front tires you are running....this helps get the weight on the back wheels. If possible restrict the axle movement(up and down). Moving the motor forwards can help too in the rules allow it.

Made it a little longer. About 8 inches. Here is a updated pic of it. The name decal will be changed. It was my very first multi layer decal. I have alot of new colors coming this week so it will look much better with larger lettering (maybe a new name)

http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/v...3/102_0689.jpg

Found out the Mr Gasket fuel pump is not very freindly with methanol. So I ordered a Holley black pump and low pressure 1-4 psi holley adjustable regulator with gauge.

What is the best fuel pressure to run.

Here is my puller to date. I have made alot of changes to it. I would hate to figure out the $$ I have spent on it. I plan on repainting it during the upcoming winter.

http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/v...3/102_0778.jpg
http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/v...3/102_0781.jpg
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http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/v...3/102_0785.jpg
http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/v...3/102_0786.jpg
In that picture the red background is reflective red. Like on a new style stop sign. When the light hits it the background looks like a real sunset of a candle behind the soldier.

http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/v...3/102_0784.jpg
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http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/v...3/102_0789.jpg

Great looking puller, you have there! :beerchug:

Yes! A very nice machine! I think your Hooked real deep:)
Chris