whellie bars

Properly constructed and positioned wheelie bars are very safe and will prevent tip over accidents. Nothing too hard about understanding that. Many insurance companies insist upon it for Tractor Pulling events. If the complainers think otherwise, force them to run a 16 inch high drawbar when not equipped with wheelie bars. 20 inch high drawbar with wheelie bars. Then, they will have a choice.

Or someone's life. Like I say, allow no wheelie bars with a 16 inch high drawbar only.....that will solve your problem.

PaulB wrote: From my experience (I started pulling in 1970) I would agree that only tractors with a completely factory stock (ASAE PTO specs) should be the only ones that are not  required to have wheelie bars.

I respectfully disagree.

My WD45 is bare bones stock. As far as I know, the oil pan or head has never been off it. With that said, I have a tough time keeping the front end down.

At a recent pull in Quebec, the flagman told me that it was starting to scare him because it was so high. I told him I bet I was more scared than him! That's why I stopped before he flagged me. (With the front end that high, I wasn't going far anyway.)

Before it pulls again, it will have wheelie bars. I feel It isn't safe and it is completely factory stock.

... and I started pulling it 1972, but I have never had a tractor that I had such a hard time keeping the front end on the ground.

Edited by WF owner - 06 Sep 2014 at 7:08pm

I use the stock "yoke" to support it and I have a 1.5" x 3" bar that bolts into the collar that the non-snap coupler drawbars had. I have a 3/4" steel plate with a 3" hole bolted to the drawbar. I am currently about 22" behind the center of the rear axle and exactly 20" high.

I plan to move in as close to 18" as possible while still using the yoke.

I never had a problem with the front end getting light with the 12.4x28 tires (last year), but I can't keep the front down this year with the 16.9x28 on a clay track.

My stock drawbar on my WD45 diesel won't even think about lifting the front.....

Our club drawbar rule is 20" high & not less than 18" from the axel centerline. On the tractors without "tip bars" we attach a piece of light weight chain with magnet to the front of the tractor with 10 inches of chain dragging on the ground. The first time all that slack chain is all in the air the tractor is flagged even if it's just a bob. I like the Doc's idea of mandating a 16" drawbar height even better. It's not hard to build a serviceable set of "tip bars" for any tractor...so unless it's your first or second hook just do it!! Kip

How about posting some of you guys posting pictures of your wheelie bars?

I use a dump trailer to move my tractor. t has no beavertail and is very high to load in, so I need something easily removable for loading and unloading.

I would love to see some of your setups!

Our 190XT is basically the same. She is still weighted like she was when we farmed. She will not lift her nose. Even pulling her 5-16s, I have never seen her lift the front up. Now, when Dad tried using the Oliver 1855 MFWD on the AC 5-16s, there was lots of air under the Oliver. Needless to say, he only did that once.

My B, CA, D12 are all front light and you really have to watch things.