NATPA DIV 3

[Dirt Slinger]

If the speed limit could be changed what are everyones
thoughts on 4.5 or 5 mph.

 

[pullingforfun]

Leave the speed limit at 3.5 it keeps an even playing field for those who don't have the big power to play

 

[Anonymous-0]

we were thinking 4 to 4.5 would be a good number, our cut tire class runs these speeds and it works ok, 5 starts taking quite a bit more power and power equals money, div. 4 should be around 7.5mph in my opinion

 

[Superih]

(quoted from post at 12:34:05 04/01/12) If the speed limit could be changed what are everyones
thoughts on 4.5 or 5 mph.

At least 4 mph, 4.5 would be good, 5 may be too fast.

 

[VicS]

Just use USAP/MeanGreen rules. Why be different? Vic

 

[DAVE Thompson jr]

With the engines out there I dont thing 4 mph would be a problem. I think that if they would have a way to keep moisture in the track all day and maintain it so that it wasnt worn out and a burn out contenst at the end it would make a really good pulls. My Dad has a roller that sprays water when it is needed and makes the track the same as it started out instead of being a dust bowl at the end.

 

[Gary Baker]

4 would be good 4.5 would be great! If you cant run 4-4.5 mph you dont have a div 3 tractor.

 

[Anonymous-0]

keep 3.5 fix div 4 and 5 thats where the hook counts are low

 

[CLIFF S]

4 mph is ok if they do away with RPM Checks that limit some tractors and let others have enough RPMs to go faster!

I am Just under 3.5 mph on a load and 4 or more would Hurt me with the rpm limits they have Now!

I would Be ok without any rpm limit and just a mph at 3.5 or 4 mph!

Most Places i pull hav just a Speed limit and the Compition is Real Close!

Cliff S

 

[mshultz]

I'd have to agree with leaving it alone since it is so successful now. If you up the speed too much on D3 you'll push a bunch of tractors down to D2T, and I'd think some of those would in turn drop down to D2 just to try to be competitive. If speed is bumped up a bump in RPM's would defininetly help keep tractors in there without dropping divisions.

I do see the need for a 5-6mph class within NATPA, I'm just not sure that D3 is the one that needs to be messed with. With D4 & 5 numbers so poor, I think there's an opportunity there to do something that would encourage some better hook numbers by making D4 a 5-7mph class and letting D5 be the "open" speed/engine rules class.

Just my opinion. I've only been to 1 NATPA event and enjoyed it a lot, but there's always room for improvement.

 

[LW]

The problem is to many divisions,You can pull "stock" 3-3.5 mph, Modified... pick a poison 5-7.5mph then have a open class. If that don't cover it then the person whining will be whining for a class to "fit" their tractor anyway. There should never be more that 3 types of classes. Then the guy that s got a tractor that won't compete with open tractors his weight can go down and not cry.

 

[cmickgo]

PLEASE keep it at 3.5 so pulling in III requires both balance and power. Speed up the div 4 tractors.

 

[Superih]

Tractors should be built up to a class, not a class built down to a tractor. It is so boring to watch and pull at 3.5 mph. Every other club in the nation is running 4mph, lets have NATPA set the standard! Just face it, you better have 150 horse to pull div 3.

 

[MH55]

I just cant figure out why people are trying to change the rules in the NATPA class with the highest number of hooks event after event. It must be working folks...

If it's such a bad class why are the hook numbers so high?

 

[Dirt Slinger]

First of all no one said it was a bad class. Second, just what
kind of horse power do you think is in there now? There is a
need for a faster class and maybe that is an overhall on div 4.

 

[One outsiders views]

Hook numbers are so high because too many guys have a motor/tractor too big for Div 2 and not enough to be competitive for DIV 4 with open speed limit. It doesn't take alot of power to run 3mph, but opening it up to 4.5 or 5mph would really make a difference. Majority of the guys in the class all ready have enough HP to make the switch and those who don't will make the adjustments to get into Div 2 or 2t. Total Hook numbers shouldn't go down just rearrange. Heck might even get some new faces.

 

[MH55]

I'm confused...

Theoretically speaking here, because I already have pulled NATPA, in Div 3, so I know where I belong...

My tractor is "too big" for Div 2 and not big enough for Div 4... Makes sense so far... Lets change the rules so one random person who is not currently pulling with us can join us, and then if your tractor doesnt fit well then you have to change it... So the guy who has a 3.5 MPH tractor and already comes out to pull has to change his tractor to support someone who doesnt...

Yup, I'm confused. Bring your 5MPH tractor on out and run 3.5MPH. Makes more sense than changing rules that already work...

 

[CLIFF S]

I Would say if they Wanted a Faster MPH Class Make Div 4 a 6 MPH Class and Do Away with the Rpm Box!

Div 3 and Div 2T are Knot the Problem with there High Hook Counts So Keep them As Is!

Why Mess Up The Classes that Are Working To Please a Few that want to go Faster!

Let the Guy that Want To Go Faster GO to DIV 4 or 5 Where they Bedlong thats Why those Classes Are There !

Cliff S

 

[Anonymous-0]

no rpm limits? ever saw the aftermath of a clutch/flywheel explosion? I have! No thanks, I don't want to see it again, luckily no one got hurt.

 

[martyinmi]

I just heard my little 335 and the WC growling from the shed at you Gary! They both like 3.5 mph.

 

[CLIFF S]

dboll
It Came apart in a 3.5 Mph Class?

Gee All i was Saying was Nowhere am i checked for RPMs at a Pull for 3.5 Mph other tham NATPA and on My Div 3 Super C to get to Hold 3.5 Mph May Need 20% over Or the RPMS that is 10% over with a 230 Farmall and other than Sheetmetal there the Same Tractor!

And YES! I Do Have a Steele Flywheele and Beleve With the HP and Money spent on Most Div 3 Pullers They Would Have one Also!

I think a Extra 200 - 400 rpm to Keep all tractors Competive and right up to 3.5 Mph
Would Never Hurt a thing BUT Running at Half agian or More the Oem Speed is asking for Trouble Unless its Built for it!

I Run a tractor at times could Run 5000 + RPMS in a Open Class But its Built For it with all the Best Plus a Steele Flywhelle and a Safty Blanket!

Cliff S

 

[CLIFF S]

dboll
To Get 4+ MPH Some Need to Turn Up the RMPS Because Many Tractors Dont Have Big $ Strokers that Can Run up a Gear and that Must Be what you want!
Send the Guy Home That Helps your Club out when he isnt Pulling and He/She is no longer Competive With THERE Pulling Tractor at 4+ MPH To Get High $ Pullers From a Distance That you will only See on Pull Day! <p
Makes Sence to Me!

You May want to Remember Where You Started At and Give Others a Chance to Pull without Spending a Fortune!

Cliff S

 

[MH55]

I've seen a fan blades come apart in a 4MPH "stock class" Have seen tractors cut in two by flywheels coming apart. Neither is something anyone wants on a Antique Pulling track.

A cast flwheeel turning 4000 RPM in 1st gear at 4MPH is turning just as fast as one turning 4000 RPM in 3rd gear at 9MPH

For every guy who spends the money to do it right there's a few who will pinch by to save a buck.

 

[MH55]

So if everyone gets more RPM, only the guys with little motors will uses those higher limits... Not very likely. Theres no advantage for the smaller motors if RPM's are raised, The guys with the money to build a big motor have the money to build it to turn also...

 

[DAVE Thompson jr]

Cliff i dont understand why you are against increasing the speed limit to at least 4 mph. Almost all of the tractors are at an idle going down the track. How many tractors did you see run out of power at Tallmage or any of the other pulls. If you have a tractor that struggles at 3.5 mph maybe it should be a division 2 tractor or run the top cut class.

 

[NOS88]

USAP in my opinion! Speed limits are well rounded and engine rules make it affordable for about anyone to find a division to pull in.

 

[The Restless Kind]

Why worry about the speed limit when you have such strict rpm rules? Of course this won't hurt the big motors but it sure will the small ones. Considering everyone can't afford to build a big $$ motor then why cut out the competition? Why should a little motor show up if they know they can't run that speed 'legally'? Personally I think you need to pick a speed limit and let everyone run that. Forget about the nit picking on the rpms and run the tractors! We're all there for a good time (or at least you should be)and I actually like having competition to pull against, so stop putting limits on yourself and let people pull. Like others have mentioned run it like USAP and others and see how many more tractors you actually get to show up. You ask alot of pullers to drag their tractors all over the Midwest for small pay and strict rules. I enjoy the pullers that I get to pull against but I hated the nit picking and childish behavior when it came down to everything. If you loosened up a bit you may be surprised how many people may be willing to drive that far and pull with NATPA.

 

[bcarrmh44]

Usap rules and classes are by far better than natpa. we pull everywhere and have good size motors and rarely consider going to a natpa pull

 

[bcarrmh44]

Usap rules and classes are by far better than natpa. we pull everywhere and have good size motors and rarely consider going to a natpa pull

 

[LCB]

I say amen to USAP rules.I would defiently pull Pricton and Cloumba and would proably venture farther to some of your pulls.Kanass and Ky. is not all that far and I would defently want to be abel to pull the chaonship pull.I want to go have fun and not be nick pick on. I know what Baker is saying but i will not join club juist so i can vote.Leroy Brave zip is 62275 if you wonder where i am located.

 

[mark us]

they already have the 5 mph jackpot classes you can pull in so what is the change for? if, as you guys are stating, you just want to pull there is 3 mph div. 2 then 3.5 mph div. 3 and then 5 mph jackpot and then for the real good ones there is div. 4 i don't see what the fuss is all about. clue me in, where do you want to pull? there seems to be a class for everyone. if usap is so good why are they not having winter pulls with a points system like natpa does? that seems like the only difference to me. do it and see if they will come.

I don't see that much difference in the rules. the rpm rules seem to be about the same, clue me in what are some of you talking about?

 

[Anonymous-0]

First off -I’m not here to dog anybody’s club, tractor or wife. If you’re pulling and are having fun more power to you. I know there has always been friction between these two clubs. It’s really to bad. The rules are really pretty close. USAP has 5 divisions and the NATPA has 5 plus a division 2T because other people complained that the NATPA did not have a class for them they tried it and it seems to be working out really well. The thing I never understood and again I’m not looking for trouble here just looking at the history and the web pages is the USAP has an rpm chart for ether standard rpm or 20% over rpm. According to the web page doesn’t the club or pulls go by this? I see a lot of people say that rpm does not matter, let them open them up like the USAP pulls. The USAP rules say different. The USAP has a class that only allows 3 mph and one at 4 mph. The more open classes are limited to 6, 8 and 12 mph. NATPA Div 4 and 5 is any gear any speed. At 20% and 30% over rpm. The NATPA has Jackpot classes that are 5 mph. They work great and you don’t have to belong to pull the Jackpot classes.
I also see people say the NATPA has low numbers in Div. 4 and 5. And YES this is very true and it’s too bad. But, I see the USAP in the faster mph classes are also low in numbers.
Again, I don’t care what you pull or where you pull at. I’m just saying both clubs are good clubs and there both trying to make rules that fit the tractors in their areas.
You cannot keep everyone happy. It’s not going to happen. But, you need rules or you’re not going to have a honest pull or most importantly a safe pull.

 

[jim johnson]

mark us, I believe it's the RPMs that most are talking about. There is a difference.

Jim

 

[CLIFF S]

Dave 3.5 mph knot the problem at 2000 rpms But 4 Mph at 2300rpm is only a problem at the Door when they Tach you and your only allowed 2000 rpms!

Cliff S

 

[CLIFF S]

Dave

Remember at Tallmadge i Pulled My Super C at 3.5 mph all the way up to 4500 Div 3 and No Problem with Power!

I Just Dont have another gear to go to thats close for 4 mph without extra RPMs in 1 st and i dont want to go to a taller tire like a 14.9x38 or a 16.9x38 like Genes 230 because they weigh too much without a $3500 Aluiminum Whelle!

Cliff S

 

[VicS]

Good points, I agree, both are good clubs. The main difference is with USAP is John Lampkin is in charge and his word is law, and he can be reasoned with. On the other hand NATPA doesn't recognize my 435 JD as a 30 series. And won't let me pull it. They did in 2009 and gave me a sticker. I just pulled it once with them at Princeton In. Didn't even come close 20 ft back. Next year showed up at Princeton, said I couldn't pull, wasn't a 30 series. Wouldn't let me pull Jackpot either. So I kinda have a bad taste in my mouth. I know just a whine! We have pulled our WC with them with no problems. Haven't won with it either. Vic

 

[Superih]

(quoted from post at 18:18:19 04/05/12) Dave

Remember at Tallmadge i Pulled My Super C at 3.5 mph all the way up to 4500 Div 3 and No Problem with Power!

I Just Dont have another gear to go to thats close for 4 mph without extra RPMs in 1 st and i dont want to go to a taller tire like a 14.9x38 or a 16.9x38 like Genes 230 because they weigh too much without a $3500 Aluiminum Whelle!

Cliff S

Tempola had a good thread about swapping 1st gear in his C to a faster factory gear. Alot of div 3 tractors are already running custom gears.

 

[CLIFF S]

Super ih
Fractory 1st will go more speed than the Replacement gear!

I would need to Go Faster vs RPMs Knot More RPMs and Less Speed like Andy to go 4 mph

I would be better going to a Taller Tire to gain 1/2 MPH and thats a Lot of Money to get my balance back with the larger tires and weight i would need Aluminum Wheeles!

But if NATPA just had a Speed limit and Done away with checking rpms I would be Good just the way it is!

Cliff S

 

[DAVE Thompson jr]

Cliff the classes you pull in are light and you do well in them. I just think that 4mph would not be to much with the engines that everyone brings to the pulls. How many tractors have you seen in division 3 stall on the track.