How the Weight Transfer Sled Works in Tractor Pulling!!!

A detailed explaination.

[@reddirtfarm7704]

A while back I wanted to know how the sled really works. So i bought one.

[@WWPTV]

It can take up to 13 weight blocks weighing right at 2,000LBs each. For a total of 58,000LBs rolling weight. The coefficient of friction and drag nearly doubles that amount to feel like 116,000LBs once the box tops out. The dry weight of the sled is 32,000LBs. Mini sleds weigh 22,000LBs and can take up to 27,000LBs.

[@Thesongstaysthesame]

We run a 620 quad trac that we use to pull a 96’ air drill and 1300 bushel air cart and I don’t think it would pull it box forward and pan down. How much weight would the vehicle tied to the sled be experiencing with the pan down and weight box forward with all weights approximately?

[@ekdog91]

How many suitcase weights do they put in the sled for the heavy Pro Stock Tractors?

[@badgear]

Generally about 5 weights. Depends on the track.

[@ralmslb]

What defines how fast the box moves forward? Is it based on the speed the sled is moving? Is it a fixed rate regardless on how fast the sled is being pulled forward?

[@badgear]

It has gearing to make the box move faster or slower depending on the power of each class. Some classes use the same amount of weight but with different gearing.

[@ralmslb]

@@badgear ok, but within the same class, what defines how quickly it moves forward? I still struggle to understand how is this fair between competitors, where one can go slower but have more torque vs someone that tries to go as fast as possible out of the gate.

[@OldCarsAreFun]

@@ralmslb Its geared with the wheels of the sled, at the same distance the box is at the same postion. Its one of the ways to stop the sled faster. You want to stop the strongest of the class at fp. The settings of the sled dont change in the same class. The competitors can choose to go fast or go for a lower gear depending on the track or their machine, sometimes you want speed, sometimes you want torque. Some can shift under load

[@ralmslb]

@@OldCarsAreFun so, essentially in the same class, it will in a way always reach the end after the same distance traveled by the sled, regardless of how fast its being pulled correct?

[@jti2007]

@@ralmslbthe weight moves the same distance on the sled in relationship to the distance travelled on the track. If you go faster the weight moves faster. Slower ground speed means the box moves slower. The sled operator has a transmission when’re they can change the speed the box moves in relationship to the distance travelled. Once they determine the correct box speed for a pulling class the transmission isn’t changed.

[@eiviitsimoelda]

i see possible 10 places for suitcase weights on the box.

[@unclecreepy4185]

There’s 8 slots in the box, 2 on the pan next to the box (on either side) and 1 on the pan up front (in the center).

[@zman3534]

@@unclecreepy4185 the box can hold 11 weights, 5 on each side and 1 in the middle front.

[@unclecreepy4185]

@Z man Which is what I literally said.

[@zman3534]

@@unclecreepy4185 the sleds we pulled can carry 15 weights total. 5 on each side of the box 2 -1/2 ton weights then like you said one one each side of the pan above the grousser bars and 1 in the frame behind the chain.