Model A, JD competetive @ 3500 lbs ?

[1940barnstormer]

Could a JD model A be competetive at 3500lbs in div 3 ?

 

[Josh Blackburn]

If you can get it down that light your front end will not stay down, 3750 and up you might have a chance.

 

[Cowguy74]

Put it in high gear and hang on. If u run out of power try 5 th. Keep going down in mph till u find a balance. You can try it the other way around too.

 

[Mike N Mo]

I had an A down to 3500# once, and decided that unless I could get it to 3200# I was wasting my time, unless the sled I would pull had a chain 6-8 ft long (not around here). To get to 3200# will require at least some, if not a lot, of aluminum, starting with wheels. Mine at the time had no aluminum, but also had no weights or even weight brackets. On paper, I had it figured out, but decided to put the time/effort/money in the engine. I occasionally run a 4000# class, but normally start at 4500# now. My advice would be to giv'er a set of balls and run heavier. Mike

 

[Anonymous-0]

mike-take your own advice and put a set of balls in your engine. it is the worst running 2 cylinder out there!!!

 

[Josh Blackburn]

Lol, I watched Mikes A at sigourney last year, It ran as good as any other A.

 

[Mike N Mo]

Al, I know for a fact that's it not the WORST 2-cylinder out there. I have a '39 B that makes a whopping 18 hp on the dyno, and it'll stay that way as long as I have it. I also know enough to NOT put it on a pulling track, LOL. Mike

 

[1940 barnstormer]

If keeping the front down is the major issue, why would'nt a person just lower the hitch untill the tractor balances out?

 

[1940 barnstormer]

Thanks for the encouragement cowguy. We have been working on lightening our model A this winter and have it down to 3300lbs. Includeing a driver and no alluminum. Can not wait to run it.

 

[Mike N Mo]

Barnstormer, I applaud you for getting it that light, no easy task. I appologize for assuming you were just in the thinking out loud stage. If you're at 3300#, you quite possibly can pull it off. You're correct that you can balance by lowering the drawbar, but that puts you at a disadvantage against the AC WC's that you'll be running against. I'm sure they'll have their hitch at 20". Let me know how it does this summer, I'm interested in how it turns out. Good luck, Mike

 

[Mopower]

It might work fine if we use the longer chain. I can't wait to see this. I assume you are not using Deep Tread tires at 3300#. I have another set of 16.9X38 Armstrongs now.

 

[gtx1967jewison]

much more competitive at 6500 plus.

 

[1940barnstormer]

Your assumption of no Deep Tread is absolutely correct. Wow, are those things ever heavy! But it does include my 16.9x38s. This project has been in process for a number of years and I decided this is the year. I know there are a lot of nay sayers for a multitude of reasons. In my case that only equals more encouragement. I like doing the unusual. I feel like the model A has been really struggling in the heavy classes and maybe this could be an option.

 

[jdapullman]

Very interestin topic u got goin here I got a late A and can only get it down to 4300 lbs with just aluminim brackets...still have a hard time keepin my front end down even with a lower drawbar

 

[1940 barnstormer]

Pullman, If your still running all the stock parts on the back half of your A you should be able to drop at least 200lbs.

 

[jdapullman]

Ya ur right and I have it stripped down and I lost bout 185 lbs

 

[jdapullman]

Al I think u need to get out of alaska and come down to the lower 48... Everywhere I've gone and pulled the A's always seem to be right up there competitive wise with any tractor

 

[1940 barnstormer]

E-mail me if you would like more suggestions.

 

[Mopower]

That's my strategy on the MM U for 4500#. It's difficult to go extremely light and balance it out. But I want to play with the Baker M tractors and run open class. Glad you could make it to the meeting.