Vermont Tractor Pullers Association VTPA General Rules (all divisions except Garden) OPERATORS 1. Must have written permission of owner or parent if under eighteen 2. NO ALCOHOLIC beverages before or during the pull. 3. Must remain seated, be in full control, and operate in a safe manner at all times. PULLING 1. Pulling positions will be assigned at sign up. 2. Number one will be test puller. Test puller may take pull if sled is properly adjusted, or may re-pull immediately, or may re-pull in third position. 3. All decisions on repull must be made prior to pulling away from sled. 4. All pulls start with a tight hitch, no jerk pulls permitted. 5. A competitor is allowed a second attempt within 75 ft. to start sled. 6. Operators have the option of moving starting line between classes. 7. Judges have the option of moving starting line between classes. 8. Any portion of the tractor touching boundary line during pull will result in disqualification. Comment: This would be limited to the front or the rear tires. There is no out of bounds once the tractor passes the full pull mark. 9. Vehicles that are being repaired or readied for pull and that miss their turn, will pull last. 10. Vehicles must be stopped immediately on signal from track official. 11. Vehicles must be in neutral or park when hitching or unhitching 12. NO PASSENGERS. Note this applies to track or pit area GENERAL 1. Age: Driver must be 16 years of age or older. Those under 18 years of age must have written parental / guardian permission. 2. Violation of any rule will constitute disqualification. The punishment of the violation will be up to a panel of judges (See Rule #4). Grievance will be discussed at that point, with the judges’ decision being final. 3. All operators are expected to attend meeting at scales 15 minutes prior to event time. 4. Contest will be governed by three or more judges with all decisions final. 5. Judges (consisting of flagman, tech personnel, sled operator and/or pull supervisor) may stop and disqualify any operators not operating safely. 6. No pit crew or operator coaching on track. 7. Any protest against operators and /or equipment must be made by end of that class and before start of next class, and only by another operator within the class. 8. Any operator, owner, or pit crew disrupting the pull whether in the pit or on the track, will be cause for disqualification of that tractor/truck from class in question, all previous, and all subsequent classes for the remainder of the event. All trophies and ribbons will be returned to the steward immediately. 9. Spectators and other operators not entered in class are not permitted on the track. 10. Since reasonable rules cannot cover any and all eventualities, the discretion of judges will prevail, including safety, operations, equipment, good sportsmanship and common sense. Safety will be paramount. 11. Driver or operator must be in seat when vehicle is running. 12. All pulling vehicles must have a functional breakaway kill switches. This will apply to all classes except stock antique, farm stock and street stock trucks. 13. Any loss of weights or safety equipment while hitched to the sled will result in disqualification with exception of test puller. 14. No moving of weights between tractors within the same class. 15. Driver will be disqualified if he or she delays contest. 16. All tractors will be teched and subject to re-teching at random at each event. 17. NOS (nitrous oxide) or propane injection fuel are illegal in all divisions INCLUDING street legal pickup trucks. 18. BRAKES – All competing vehicles must have adequate brakes. a. Rear brakes are mandatory on vehicles that compete in the following divisions: Super Stock, Pro Stock b. Front brakes are mandatory on vehicles that compete in the following divisions: Four Wheel Drive Trucks c. All drivelines must have 3/8 inch steel, 360 degrees around brake components, and both ends must be closed with 1/8 inch, or greater, steel. This rule applies to Modified, Modified Minis, and Trucks. FARM STOCK TRACTORS 1. General Rules apply see page 2. 2. Age: Driver must be 16 years of age or older. Those under 18 years of age must have written parental / guardian permission. 3. All tractors must be stock-blocked for that series tractor. Engine must be of original type or factory replacement. Original style hood and grill must be in place. 4. Turbochargers, intercoolers, superchargers, torque converters, automatic shifts, etc. are permitted provided such is original equipment for that series. 5. Drawbar height for classes under 9,000 pounds will be a maximum of 19”, and for classes over 9,000 pounds will be a maximum of 21”. Minimum length of drawbar is 22” from center line of axle housing and a maximum of 36” from center line of axle housing. 6. Drivers must provide their own hitching device or clevis with minimum 3” diameter opening for hooking. The third link of three-point hitches will not be used in any way to stabilize the drawbar. There must be a dead man zone of 18” in height and 6” wide from top of the drawbar. Working PTO must be accessible for dyno test. 7. All weight must be safely secured to the tractor, and not to interfere with hitch. Weight is not to exceed 24” forward of the front most portion of the tractor. Any ballast or external parts lost while hooked to the sled will be cause for disqualification. No weights may be moved from one tractor to another competing in the same class during that class. No portion of tractor may interfere with sled or sled hitch during a pull. Hitch needs to be visible for hitching & unhitching. 8. All tractors with rubber tires are permitted. No sharpened or cut tires. Tire studs or chains are NOT permitted. Dual tires are required on 2WD tractors in 4WD class as long as duals are held together by at least 4 connectors. In weight classes of 18,000 lbs or greater, tractor & driver can not weigh less than 1000 lbs of the maximum weight of that class. (i.e. in 18,000 lbs class, tractor & driver can not weigh less than 17,000 lbs.) 9. All exhausts must either: (a) discharge vertically upward with a minimum 18” straight pipe or muffler in working condition or (b) discharge through a factory, underslung exhaust system in working condition. 10. Stabilizer bars or wheelie bars are required and must meet VTPA specifications (refer to diagram in back of book). 11. A dead man throttle is not required; however, drivers are advised that one can be easily rigged using a rubber shock strap. 12. All tractors weighed at event. 13. Engine RPMs not to exceed 2600 RPM and governor must have stop. Tractors in weight classes up to and including 10,000# will be allowed a maximum of 150hp. Tractors in weight classes from 11,500# up to and including 16,500# will be allowed a maximum of 200hp. This RPM and horsepower limit will be tested and strictly enforced. Violators will be disqualified if checked after pull and do not pass. 14. All stock farm tractor will be required to have a stock air filter system including filters. 15. All stock farm tractors will be required to be shut off by factory ignition or throttle shut off. (Explanation: NO stalling of engines while in gear for shut off.) Will be checked during inspection or at discretion of tech officials. 16. It is required a tractor have at least a fully charged 2 1/2 lb fire extinguisher on board in reach of operator. A functional gauge on the fire extinguisher is required 17. Must have rockshaft and housing or OEM top cover, working hydraulics unless tractor came from factory without. Must have working PTO, and stock drawbar used for hitching device. 18. Weight classes for Farm stock will be 8,000 lbs, 9,000 lbs, 11,500 lbs, 13,000 lbs, 15,000 lbs and 16,500 lbs. 19. Water injection is NOT permitted 20. No mixing of classes until 18,000 lbs classes. 21. Tractors not qualifying for the Farm Stock class will be asked to participate in the Hot Farm class with proper safety equipment. HOT FARM TRACTORS 1. General Rules apply see page 2. 2. Age: Driver must be 16 years of age or older and capable of handling tractor. Those under 18 years of age must have written parental / guardian permission. 3. All tractors must be stock-blocked for manufacturer, no adapter plates. Engine must be of original type or factory replacement. Original style hood and grill must be in place. 4. Turbochargers, intercoolers, superchargers, torque converters, automatic shifts, etc. are permitted provided such is original equipment for that series. 5. Drawbar height will be a maximum of 21”. 6. Drivers must provide their own hitching device or clevis with minimum 3” diameter opening for hooking. The third link of three-point hitches will not be used in any way to stabilize the drawbar. There must be a dead man zone of 18” in height and 6” wide from top of the drawbar. 7. All weight must be safely secured to the tractor, and not to interfere with hitch. Weight is not to exceed 24” forward of the front most portion of the tractor. Any ballast or external parts lost while hooked to the sled will be cause for disqualification. No weights may be moved from one tractor to another competing in the same class during that class. No portion of tractor may interfere with sled or sled hitch during a pull. Hitch needs to be visible for hitching & unhitching. 8. All tractors with rubber tires are permitted. No sharpened or cut tires. Tire studs or chains are NOT permitted. Dual tires are required on 2WD tractors in 4WD class as long as duals are held together by at least 4 connectors. In weight classes of 18,000 lbs or greater, tractor & driver can not weigh less than 1000 lbs of the maximum weight of that class. (i.e. in 18,000 lbs class, tractor & driver can not weigh less than 17,000 lbs.) 9. All exhausts must either: (a) discharge vertically upward with a minimum 18” straight pipe or muffler in working condition or (b) discharge through a factory, underslung exhaust system in working condition. All turbo charged tractors must have two (2) 3/8” bolts installed criss cross through the exhaust after the turbocharger. 10. Stabilizer bars or wheelie bars are required and must meet VTPA specifications (refer to diagram in back of book). 11. A dead man throttle is not required; however, drivers are advised that one can be easily rigged using a rubber shock strap. 12. All tractors weighed at event. 13. Engine RPMs not to exceed 3000 RPM and governor must have stop.  This RPM and horsepower limit will be tested and strictly enforced.  Violators will be disqualified if checked after pull and do not pass. (rule change for 2010) 14. All tractors will be required to run air shutoffs that can be activated from the driver’s compartment to meet VTPA approval. 15. All tractors will be required to be shut off by factory ignition or throttle shut off. (Explanation: NO stalling of engines while in gear for shut off.) Will be checked during inspection or at discretion of tech officials. 16. It is required a tractor have at least a fully charged 2 1/2 lb fire extinguisher on board in reach of operator. A functional gauge on the fire extinguisher is required 17. No adapter plates from exhaust manifold to the turbocharger unless using to go to a small exhaust foot on the turbo 18.Turbocharger inlet to be a maximum of 2.5” measured at the wheel, or at a restrictor plate installed at the inlet of the turbocharger.  Must be secured in place.  If bushing falls out during run will be disqualified. (rule change for 2010) 19. It is recommended to have an SFI flywheel. (rule change for 2010) 20. Weight classes for Hot Farm will be 10,000 lbs, 11,500 lbs, 13,000 lbs, 15,000 lbs and 16,500 lbs. 21. Water injection is NOT permitted 22. No mixing of classes until 18,000 lbs classes. 23. Helmets are required. 24. It is highly recommended that all Hot Farm tractors have an SFI approved clutch and flywheel. It is recommended to install frame connecting ladder bars. Frame connectors must be secured adequately from final drive housing to forward of bell housing and flywheel. Frame connectors must meet VTPA criteria: able to support tractor with engine disconnected from rear housing. No tube frame chassis. 25. It is recommended the tractor must have a rollover protection bar or cage that is at least as high as the top of the drivers head/helmet. Rollover protection must be fastened at least two points to the rear axle housing. Factory style flip down tops allowed. Rollover protection must be able to lift one rear wheel when pulled horizontally from the top of the bar/cage without damage to the rollbar/cage. If a rollover protection bar or cage is installed on the tractor, it is mandatory to have a lapbelt. 26. It is recommended to have side shields of .060” metal. OEM steel fan shroud is mandatory. If the fan guard is plastic or fiberglass it is required to have a side shield cover the fan. ALTERED FARM STOCK 1. General Rules apply see page 2 2. Age: Driver must be 16 years of age or older. Those under 18 years of age must have written parental / guardian permission. 3. Altered Farm Stock tractors are stock appearing tractors with enhancements to create more horsepower and pulling ability than similar stock models. 4. Tractors with engine modifications, tire modifications, or higher than rated engine RPM will be expect to enter in Altered Farm Stock tractor classes. Tractors with above modifications entering stock classes will be disqualified and not allowed to re-enter Altered Farm Stock classes. 5. A tractor must pull in Altered Farm Stock or stock classes, no mixing of classes. 6. No Cut Tires. 7. Turbocharger compressor measurement to be measured at the face of the wheel inlet of a maximum of 3.0 inches. The wheel may be no larger than this measurement at the inlet. An exhaust measurement to be measured at the face of the wheel inlet of a maximum of 3.0 inches. The wheel may be no larger than this measurement at the outlet. All exhaust must exit through the turbo. 8. All Altered Farm Stock tractors must have approved 6 strap SFI clutch blankets and removable engine .060” metal side shields. Blankets must be secured in front with 2 straps on each side. Straps must be 2” wide with a maximum of 1” between the straps. 9. All Altered Farm Stock tractors must have air shutoff (diesel) or ignition shutoff (gasoline) that has a hookup ring at the rear of the tractor to be connected to transfer sled. Kill switch must be with 6” of center and no more than 48” above hitch. It is recommended that an electric assist fuel pump be tied to the kill switch. 10. All turbo charged tractors must have 2 – 3/8” bolts installed criss-cross through the exhaust after the turbocharger. 11. Decision of the judge(s) will be final. 12. Any tractor operated in a reckless manner or having an unsafe appearance will be disqualified. Any disqualification bars a second attempt in the class. 13. All Altered Farm Stock tractors must have a fully charged 2 ½ lb. dry chemical fire extinguisher mounted with easy reach of the driver. A functional gauge on all fire extinguishers is required. 14. Naturally aspirated tractors may have non-stock intake and exhaust manifold. Turbo charged tractors must have OEM for that manufacturer intake and exhaust manifolds. 15. It is highly recommended that all Altered Farm tractors have an SFI approved clutch and flywheel. All tractors will be MANDATORY to install frame connecting ladder bars. Frame connectors must be secured adequately from final drive housing to forward of bell housing and flywheel. Frame connectors must meet VTPA criteria: able to support tractor with engine disconnected from rear housing. No tube frame chassis. 16. Vehicle must have a rollover protection bar or cage that is at least as high as the top of the drivers head/helmet. Rollover protection must be fastened at least two points to the rear axle housing. Factory style flip down tops allowed. Rollover protection must be able to lift one rear wheel when pulled horizontally from the top of the bar/cage without damage to the rollbar/cage. 17. All operators must wear an approved racing helmet (minimum Snell rating 90). Fire suits mandatory. Minimum requirements for fire suit with a Nomax rating of SFI 3.2A-1 (single layer). 18. Wheelie bars are mandatory and must meet VTPA specifications (refer to diagram in back of book). 19. Draw Bar: Draw bar must not exceed 20 inches in height. A 3” opening in drawbar. Draw bars must be stationary in all directions. No clevises. There will be a dead man zone of 3” on either side of draw bar. Minimum length of drawbar is 22” from center line of axle housing and a maximum of 36” from center line of axle housing. 20. No narrow front ends. It is MANDATORY that all front ends are no less than 36” between front tires. 21. Weight classes are 6500#, 7500#, 8500#, 9500#, 11000# and 12500#. Farm Tractor Rules