Update:
July 7, 2008
The decision has been made to change to the latest Flex-Frame™ design and retire this one for good. It has been proven that this prototype is inferior to the latest design, and the switch will take place over the next two weeks. We all learned some things thru doing this that would have been impossible to find out any other way, and all the strengths (and weaknesses) were thoroughly tested.
For all the critics who say "I could have told you that wouldn't work", keep in mind that tractor pulling is one big experiment.
Original updates moved to the 2007 archive and the story continues...
PART 2
testing was done up
down
over
under
and sideways
we have 10 days to fabricate the Flex-Frame™ chassis from the ground up and swap the drivetrain and get it ready to run
It can't be done?? sit back and watch
day 1 - bent, coped, and welded frame rails
day 2 - bent, welded and machined rear housing
day 3 - aligned and welded hitch and assembled rear end in frame rails
day 4 - assembled front axle and skid bars
day 5 - added front and mid weight racks
day 6 - roll cage and brake mounts
day 7 - completely rebuilt rear end with new brgs, different ring and pinion, added motor and trans mounts
day 8 - swapped motor, hood, dash and fenders
day 9 - sheet metal, wiring, plumbing, wheelie bars, oil and fuel tank
day 10 - finish wiring, sheet metal, steering, shift levers, safety shields and a test drive
FROM STEEL RACK TO THE TRACK IN TEN DAYS !!!
First of all, I would like to thank all the people involved in making this happen.
God, for the natural ability to build things.
Jon Gibson, for all the long hours and dedication to see it finished.
Marty Chandler, for letting us rob parts from his tractor (and truck) to save time.
Ray Haggard, for driving out of his way to haul parts
Teddy Gibson, for wrenching bolts
Monica, for all you did
My wife Tina for the support and food catering during the last two weeks.
My son Jacob, for being a go-fer and cleaning up the mess as we went along.
Larry and Shirley, for the faith and trust to try something new a second time.
Jake put together a time lapse video of the build as it progressed...
July 18, 2008
First time on the scales- more moveable weight than expected is always a good thing.
Monica was the driver for the light class, and had gotten used to the old chassis being easy to get out of the hole and staying low to the ground. When the front end lifted as soon as the beast roared, she thought something was wrong and set it back down for a look at something besides clouds.
Larry suited up for the 8 class, even though there was not enough places to hang weights, (400# light) lowered the drawbar about an inch and carried out the end for a full pull! (see video above)
A win at Temple Hill, Ky on the first night out !
July 19, 2008 - Bardstown, Ky
Monica took the lazy beast for a 5 cylinder Sunday drive in the heavy class
a broken rocker arm sends the Gorham team back to the trailer without hooking to the sled in the light class
back to the shop for bigger weight racks and some valve work
July 25-26 - Tanner, Al
another broken rocker arm in the heavy class
Larry finished 2nd in the light class Sat nite
Aug 1 - Clinton, KY
Larry had a good run going with lots of ground speed, but blew a burst panel at around 300'
Monica stood it up and walked the beast out to 328.5' for the win in the heavy class
photo courtesy of Chris Carlisle
Aug 2 - Hillsboro, Tn
The tranny got stuck in two gears during the first hook, preventing the tractor from rolling. It had to be removed to load it back on the trailer.
Later found a broken tooth inside the gearbox that had the gears locked
Aug 8 - Somerville, Tn
Back in business with the old 5 speed tranny
307.5' in the light class was good for 2nd place
292' was the distance in the heavy class for 3rd
Aug 9 - Crockett Mills, Tn
289' for Monica was good for 4th place - later it was discovered that after the 5 speed swap,
the gear pattern wasn't what was marked on the dash, and cost some distance in the heavy class.
337' in the light class earned the beast another full pull
(2 years in a row)
photo courtesy of Chris Carlisle
Aug 31 - Franklin, Ky
A good run going, but something in the motor let go. Monica is fine, nothing hurt but a few motor parts.
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before
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after
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Sept 28 - Manchester, Tn
First time out on a fresh motor, and the goal was to make a test run, and get it back to the trailer in one piece. Monica had a very nice pass for a distance of 354', and finished 2nd out of 9 tractors entered. A unexpected reward for all the long hours and work to get it back together in time for the last pull of the season.
This has been a season of changes, long days (and nights) in the shop, tuning, learning, and an exhausting schedule that brought everyone closer together during the times of defeat as well as times of celebration. It was great to have been involved in all of the above, and a special thanks to the Gorham family for the referrals, hospitality, Shirleys breakfasts, making us feel like part of the family, and most of all for the memories that all this brings about...
Flex-Frame™ technology.
Everything else is just a waste of tubing.
