Need first time puller advice.

Kc8yhk

New User
I'm in need of some advice. Over the course of 5-6 years my wife and I got really deep into diesel truck drag racing, it set us back an absurd amount of money. Over the years we easily invested $65k.

In the end we sold a 10 second truck for a fraction of what we spent on it. Diesel drag racing and diesel truck pulls always went hand in hand at every event, so I know the cost there is equally as high. We just recently went to a tractor pull as spectators and I was hooked. I've started to look for tractors, but I honestly don't know what's "good".

I don't want to go down the performance path again. I just want something as close to stock as I can get. Our goal is to go to a pull, hang out, hook, load up, and go home without broken parts.

I came across a 1941 John Deere model A. Serial number 501xxx. They are asking $1,300. All the description says is "good running tractor".

Is this price too high? I realize it needs new rear tires, I'm guessing that'll be another $1k. I'd probably let it sit as it is until spring if I bought it.

I'm not brand loyal, I'm open to anything. I didn't realize tractors were this cheap! I love to turn wrenches, I hate breaking parts lol.
 
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I have been pulling for seventeen years, and have picked up a little information here and there. I pull with one stock tractor and one pretty "warmed up". I have fun with both except that on a power track, a stock tractor is at a pretty big disadvantage. You can be competitive on a Johnny Popper but it will cost you. An Oliver Minnie Mo, Ford, are much more "race ready". I would save my money and look for one of those three that is known to be already somewhat successful.
 
Thank you guys, I appreciate the input. The price on the JD is what got my attention. I will expand my search to include those other models. Although I'm sure just like anything else, popularity brings a higher price tag haha.
 
(quoted from post at 02:33:20 10/05/15) Thank you guys, I appreciate the input. The price on the JD is what got my attention. I will expand my search to include those other models. Although I'm sure just like anything else, popularity brings a higher price tag haha.

A lot depends on where and what kind of pulling your doing. If your pulling a transfer sled, you want to grab the highest gear. On a stone boat, its not as big of a deal. Most of the time on a stone boat, it seems like the slow guy always wins. So in essence, two completely different animals.
If you go with a Farmall, look for a Super M, or H. You could go for a "hundred" series. A Farmall Super M vs M, you get less cubic inches with a M vs Super M. When you go to rebuild, the Supers can be sleeved the biggest. Putting slightly bigger sleeves and stepped head pistons make a considerable difference versus stock flat top pistons and its what most run in "stock" classes. Doing that plus some head work will get you around where your competition is. And on a Farmall, its easier and cheaper to do that than on a JD.
For what its worth, those tires on that A are perfect for pulling. Old, hard worn tires with that 23 degree tread design are what you want.
There are tons of tractors out there, pull what makes you happy. That's what its about anyways.
 

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