If you're like me and didn't grow up in a particularly agricultural area, you might think a tractor tow is the pinnacle of simplicity. Just drag something as far as possible. And you would be right. But sometimes simple things are really hard to achieve.
Perhaps the most amazing part of motorsport is what makes it competitive. As this video from the Smarter Every Day YouTube channel shows, a sled pulled by a tractor is a very complex thing.
Host Destin talks to the sled driver who actually sits inside while the tractor pulls. The sled itself has multiple ridges that dig into the soil to avoid being pulled. However, to give the tractor a chance, it starts with wheels and the weight moves forward as the tractor pulls.
This puts the weight closer to the height adjustable hitch and makes it harder to pull the sled when the wheels are in the air. Keeping it as far away as possible means carefully managing engine torque and weight distribution as it travels down the strip.
The racers interviewed in the video affirm that there is an ideal height at which the front wheel lifts off the ground for optimal grip, and they do so with throttle, speed and the small weight they can move. It's the job of the train.
For example, tractors with big block engines are difficult to adjust because the engines are very heavy and stiff. Speaking of engines, I was surprised to discover that at least some of the engines in this tractor train were empty. The draw seconds are (hopefully) not long enough to overheat, so it works without oil. Ultimately, the competition is simply who can reach the furthest. However, while this may seem like a simple endeavor, it is actually surprisingly subtle and difficult to do well.
#interest #interesting #entertainment
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