INTRODUCTION
Revised 1/23/11
The Lakeshore Garden Tractor Pullers classes and class rules are based on a new concept in garden tractor pulling
rules. The purpose of these innovative rules is to reduce the cost of getting in garden tractor pulling and give every tractor the chance
to be competitive.
The older garden tractors with heavy components that are suitable for pulling are getting harder to find and many of the replacement parts are
obsolete and high prices for those parts that are left. (if they can be found)
A person should be able to put a puller together based on what they have or can find cheap, with any 4 - cycle garden tractor engine in any
garden tractor chassis. (excluding Pure and Lite stock classes)
The pulling classes are therefore based on the engine only.
The goal is reducing cost, broader participation in the sport and club growth.
Weight handicapping, as used in the following classes, allows different horsepower engines to be competitive in a single class.
This is the key to allow someone to build and pull what they have or can get at lowest cost. The alternative is searching for something specific to suit a given club rules, since a 10 hp (you may have ) cannot normally compete in a 14 hp class.
The following classes which are based on horsepower are limited to a four hp maximum spread (ex. 10-12-14) since this has shown to be manageable with weight handicapping.
Many hours of research has gone into these rules to equalize competition. When the same tractors win regularly, it
is not good for moral or sustained participation for those on the short end.
General Rules
Revised 1/14/11
The purpose of these rules is to provide a safe and enjoyable pulling event for the entire
family and reduce the risk of injury to participants and spectators. It is ultimately the
obligation of each participant to ensure that their conduct and equipment comply with all
applicable rules. No expressed or implied warranty of safety shall result from the
publication or compliance with these rules. They are a guide for conduct of the sport
and are in no way a guarantee against injury or death to pullers, spectators, or others.
Everyone must have a signed release form on record.
There will be no alcoholic beverages allowed at any pulling event. Unsportsman-like
conduct will not be permitted. Tractors must be operated in a safe manner at all times. No
horseplay, reckless or unsafe driving will be tolerated. Violators will be Disqualified and
any points obtained for that event will not count. Violators will be asked to load their tractor
for the duration of the event but are invited to participate at our next event
No one except the driver is allowed on the tractor.
No hitch-hiking on the wheelie bars or anywhere else. Children
must be able to safely operate and stop their own tractor.
All animals must be leashed or in a vehicle at all times. Pet owners will accept sole
responsibility for their behavior. Parents and guardians are responsible for the proper
management of their children. No person or child is to climb on or touch a tractor that
does not belong to them without permission by the owner for safety and respect of
property.
A drivers meeting will take place 10 minutes before the time for the pull to start. All
drivers must be present. Drivers must wear shirts, regular shoes ( No open-toes or heels)
and either short or long pants.
All tractors are to be tech Inspected before the beginning of the pulling season
and are also subject to safety and class eligibility checks by officials for compliance
with all rules. All decisions by Lakeshore officials are final. A tractor legal in any class
may pull in a higher class on the performance scale. Weigh-in scale will be available a
minimum of 1 hour prior to the pull start time. Entry fees for a class must be paid before
the class begins. Scratching from a class BEFORE its start shall constitute a refund of
the entry hook fee for that class.
Before the tractor is hooked to the sled, the tractor must be placed in neutral. The order of
any pull-off will be in the original order in which the pulls were made.
“Class Champion” will be awarded in each class to the
tractor that has accumulated the greatest total points in that
class( excluding disqualification pulls) over the course of a season.
Substitute drivers may be used throughout the season.
TRACK and TRACTOR RULES
Revised 1/07/11
1. Tractors must have hood, seat, fenders and guards on belts and pulleys. Any combination of garden tractor chassis,
engine, or transmission may be used, (excluding the pure stock class) However, it must look like a garden tractor. Open to any commercially available Naturally Aspirated Induction 4-Cycle garden tractor engine with cast block, single or twin cylinder, flat head or overhead valve.
2. All tractors must have an operational ON/OFF switch and a rear pull-off kill switch with at least a 2" diameter ring. The rear kill
switch must be located above the hitch and a maximum of 4" right or left of hitch center and up to 4" towards tractor and stop the engine and electric fuel pump. All tractors must have working brakes.
One hand must be on the steering wheel when tractor is in motion. Driver must remain seated during their pull.
All non-commercial seats must have a back a minimum of 3” in height.
3. All weights must be safely secured to the tractor. No weights or the seat may move while the tractor is pulling.
Loss of weights or components while the tractor is hooked to the sled will be cause for disqualification. If the loss occurs
before the 2nd chance markers you may re-pull one time. The flag man or any official may note the loss. In case of
dispute, two officials must agree if the disqualification stands. The flag man is in control of the pull on the track and can
stop the pull at any time if he detects something unsafe. Maximum length for the front weights or mount, in all classes, is 6 ft. from center of the rear axle. Rear weights and brackets are not to extend to the rear over 24” from center of the rear axle, and be no wider than 4’6”. Weight brackets must be constructed so that the weights do not interfere with the sled chain. Weight brackets and wheelie bars must be bolted or welded securely to the tractor. Pullers must weight in after each pull.
4. The puller must be ready to hook to the sled as soon as it is back in position. Those with a problem have 3 minutes to correct it or they may drop to the last position. If a tractor is stopped before its rear tires pass the “2nd chance” mark, you may re-pull one time only and weights may be re-positioned. You may drop to the last position in case of technical difficulties.
You will be disqualified if any tire of your tractor goes over the boundary line.
During a pull-off any disqualification will cause that tractor to be dropped to last place in the pull-off.
After pulling in its class, all tractors must weigh-in before leaving the start area between the sled and scale.
5. Tractors operated by pullers 10 years and younger will normally compete in stock and improved stock only. To
compete in stock altered A or B they will need to get clearance from the rules committee. This is a judgment call based
on experience and maturity of the minor. Pullers under the age of 16 must wear helmets and their tractors must have a garden tractor or implement type seat.
6. Maximum hitch height, for all classes is 13” to the top of hook contact point. The draw bar or receiver must have a
1 ½” diameter hole for the chain hook. If a slot is used, it must be at least 1” wide. Rear stabilizer or wheelie bars must extend no less than 5” from the rear of back tire to start of pad or center of wheel. If they are 5” back they cannot be more than 5” from the ground, If they are 6” or more in back of the wheel they cannot be over 6” high. Wheelie bars must be rigid and able to support the weight of the tractor. No dual wheels, chains, studs, or tracks are permitted.
7. Open exhaust is allowed in al classes. Open exhaust must discharge vertically and be securely attached. Only commercially available pump gasoline, Diesel or E85 may be used. No alcohol or nitro methane, nitrous, or pressurized fuel tanks. No variable torque converter clutches are allowed on the engine crankshaft.
8. Engine shielding required for all engines running over 4000 rpm. The shields must be from 1/8” steel (min. 12ga.) or 3/16” aluminum. Items requiring shielding are the side of engines opposite the cam, drive shafts, clutches, and flywheels. All flywheel shields must be mounted securely to contain an outward explosion and prevent a flywheel from exiting the tractor in case of a broken crankshaft or retaining bolt.
- For horizontal shaft engines with the flywheel on the side, the shield must be 180 degrees over the top and extend down to the bottom of the flywheel. The fin side may be covered with expanded or solid metal( 1/8''steel or 3/16" aluminum). A hole may be put in the side for a starter belt pulley to protrude.
- Horizontal shaft engines with the flywheel crosswise in the chassis must have a shield 180 degrees over the flywheel and extend down to the bottom of the flywheel or down to the frame if the flywheel fits inside the frame.The fin side is to be covered,the same as above.if it is not facing the driver.
- Vertical shaft engines with top flywheel must have a 360 degree shield ( 1/8" steel or 3/16" aluminum ) surrounding it. The shield may have expanded metal over the top. The total shielding could be described as a round or square box.
9. A protest requires a deposit of $50.00 by protester. Tear down consists of head and carb removal only. If the engine is legal the protester forfeits the $50.00 to the tractor owner. If the engine is illegal the owner forfeits any winnings or points for that tractor that day and the protester receives their money back.
10. The rules committee may make decisions concerning placement of any tractor that may not fit a regular class, into a class where it can compete, considering it’s performance level relative to others in that class. No tractor will be allowed to run as exhibition as part of a class it is not qualified to participate in preceding their regular class
11. The first puller in each class has the option to turn down their first pull. Their re-pull will take place after all others in the class have pulled, but before any pull-off. The second pull will determine their position prior to any pull-off, regardless of the result.
12.No tractor may be operated faster than a walk when not hooked to the sled.Violators are subject to the consequences listed in general rules paragraph 2.
Prior to the first hook of any event, a volunteer work sign-up sheet ( for all required duties ) must be completed.
CLASS RULES
Revised 1/07/11
LITE STOCK 15 HP Max.
Entry level for smaller lighter tractors, based on unmodified factory production engines.
With a max age of 10 yrs. old
Factory made, commercially available garden tractors must be in smaller chassis design
no large tractor chassis.
Engine must remain stock
Muffler is optional
Engines must be aluminum block Briggs,Kohler, Onan or Tecumseh
No twin cylinder engines
Flat head or OHV
8-11 hp max RPM 4,000
12-15 hp max RPM 2,800
Max tires size of 20/10/10 turf or bar,cut or uncut on factory wheels
Hitch height of 13'' maximum
Wheelie bar center must be at least 5'' behind the rear tires not over 3'' off the ground
Mower deck must be removed
Class weight is 800#
PURE STOCK 10 - 14 HP
The entire tractor must be stock in every way, including gearing
Factory made, commercially available garden tractors with cast block 4 - cycle engines.
Engine, transmission, chassis and sheet metal must be from the same factory model.
One or two cylinder engines must retain unaltered OEM parts.
Mufflers optional.
Engines must be governed to 4,000 RPM maximum.
Engines may be bored up to .030
Overhauls must use stock replacement parts for that engine model.
Decks must be removed for safety
Maximum tire 23 x 10.50 x 12 turf or bar cut or uncut, No aluminum wheels.
Hitch, wheelie bars, kill switch and weight bracket rules are the same as all other classes ( Except lite stock)
13" maximum hitch height
10hp 1050#
12hp 1025#
14hp 1000#
ECONOMY STOCK 10-20 HP
Entry level,low cost class based on unmodified factory production engines.
No part swapping from other HP engines.
Overhaul must use stock replacement parts. .030 overbore allowed.
No grinding allowed on engine or carb ( except valves and cylinder )
Engines must be governed to 4000 RPM maximum
Engine may be in garden tractor chassis of choice.
Open exhaust optional.
23x10.5x12 bar tires cut or uncut.
Wheelbase must be stock for the chassis used.
13" maximum hitch height
Class A Class B Class C Class D
10hp 1050# 10hp 1150# 16hp 1050# 16hp 1150#
12hp 1025# 12hp 1125# 18hp 1025# 18hp 1125#
14hp 1000# 14hp 1100# 20hp 1000# 20hp 1100#
IMPROVED STOCK 10-20 HP
Class based on HP of OEM manufactured block. Any OEM combination of heads, cam and carb may be used.
Billet steel flywheel and rod may be used.
Piston must be stock replacement.
Stock stroke only,
.030 overbore max.,.020 piston popup allowed.
OEM cam specifications for lift and duration must be retained
Stock valve size only.
Original OEM head and block may be modified, including welding.
23x10.5x12 turf or bar tires cut or uncut.
Carb standoffs (spacers) may be used up to 3" long, No non-stock ram manifolds on twins.
Wheelbase must be stock for chassis used.
13" maximum hitch height
Class A Class B Class C Class D
10hp 1050# 10hp 1150# 16hp 1050# 16hp 1150#
12hp 1025# 12hp 1125# 18hp 1025# 18hp 1125#
14hp 1000# 14hp 1100# 20hp 1000# 20hp 1100#
Note: classes A and B are for single cylinder engines only. Twins may be used in C and D.
STOCK ALTERED
Class based on OEM horsepower for 10, 12 and 14 hp (up to 36 cubic inch). Top class is based on all engines 36 cubic inch or over.
No after market blocks ( Jones, J2, Julian etc.).
Stock stroke only in classes A & B
Single carburetor of garden tractor origin. carburetor standoffs ( spacers ) allowed
V-twin OHV engines must retain OEM cam with original lift and, duration; no roller cams.
.330 max. valve lift, or stock cam may be used if the lift is higher in the engine model used
.330 max. valve lift, or stock cam may be used if the lift is higher in the engine model used
OHV's engines must retain OEM cam with original lift and duration. No roller cams
OHV's must use stock valve size with OEM heads
OHV single 45 ci max
OHV twin 38ci max
Flat head engines may use billet head and not exceed 52 ci.
Carb standoffs (spacers) allowed.
Maximum wheelbase is 56", 26x12x12 tires cut or uncut.
13" maximum hitch height
Class A Class B Class C Class D
10hp1050# 10hp 1150# All 36 ci & up 1000# All 36 ci & up 1150#
12hp 1025# 12hp 1125#
14hp 1000# ( under 36 ci ) 14hp 1100# ( under 36 ci )
SPORT STOCK
Based on 4-cycle garden tractor type engine with max 2 cylinders.
Naturally aspirated induction with single carburetor only
OHV's max.42 CI and no aftermarket heads allowed.
Flat head engines max. 60 CI.
No roller cam/lifters
26x12x12 maximum tire size
Maximum 56" wheelbase
Maximum hitch height 13"
Class A 1050# Class B 1200#
OPEN
Based on 2 cylinder max, 4 cycle garden tractor type engine of any size
Naturally aspirated ( fuel injection & multiple carbs allowed )
56'' wheelbase max, with 26 x12 x12 max tire size
NO ALCOHOL ALLOWED
Class weight 1200#i
LAKESHORE GARDEN TRACTOR PULLERS
Lakeshore Garden Tractor Pullers welcomes guest to watch &, or, participate. Members from other clubs are welcome to come & play as well. We only ask that you keep in mind the rules that we have posted on the web an, in our rules packet. We are a family oriented club who believe in FRIENDLY competition. We encourage kids to give pulling a try too. Parental involvement is needed but, we request that they are able to start, stop & safely operate their own tractor with as little help as possible. We aim to keep you parents safe as well. :)
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