D17 engine builds

A few people have mentioned that d17s are no good for classes above 7000 pounds, while I won't say that they are all wrong, my family and I have had vastly different results. Every year two of my cousins pull d17s in the 9000 and unlimited classes and do very well, last month my brother even out pulled both of them on a d17 diesel weighting in at 16820. More farmall 400s and 450s get winched onto trailers and Allis's. (5 farmall, 0 allis). I can see about providing pictures and videos if anyone is skeptical.

Yes, sir, I painfully would like to see your D17 with 11,000 of weights slung on it.

It's been 30 years ago, but I saw an 88 Oliver break in half at a tractor pull. He only weighed 10,000 lbs, not 16,000. Whomever your insurance company is for these events must not ever show up to watch what they are liable for. And if they have watched what's going on, are totally ignorant of what could possibly happen.

I don't mean to come across as rude in this comment or whole thread. I would like to make a few comments here. 1. I had asked about motor builds and suggestions. Dr Allis, you have recommend 100hp builds for d17s in 5000lb classes, with the bore and stroke you can get out of a 17 I can only assume these are high rpm motors running high compression. I haven't seen enough comments by WF owner to nitpick anything he specifically said by other things I've seen him recommend to people. Both of you have mentioned that pulling that heavy is dangerous and whatever "a few other things" implies and while I can't entirely disagree with the statement, we are running STOCK tractors, low compression and rpm, max of 2mph when pulling that heavy. There absolutely is a natural risk with any style of pulling but hot stock and modified tractors are far more likely to grenade a motor and send shrapnel. as of thus far the worst failure we've I've seen was a broken axel housing, while there is a risk of a tire hitting the driver in that event. Fortunately everyone that pulls in the heavy weight class has though of this in at least some aspect, wheely bars, weight brackets, and supports are in positions to catch the tractor and protect the driver. Please, if there is a concern with how our pulls are handled, wether it be in regards to the tractor we'll being or the drivers safety I would be more than happy to shed some light on how things are done at our pulls. Questions comments and concerns are welcome but it would be appreciated if it were more than just saying that it's dangerous and "a few other things"

My engine builds for a gas D-17 are 400 cubes and 100+ HP at 2000 RPM. Not high speed. The guy that broke the Oliver in two pieces never expected anything like that to happen either. He was 100 HP back in those days. He fixed the tractor and never weighed it down that heavy ever again. I know for a fact Farmall M's would break rear axles when they had a mounted corn picker on them. It was a common failure. So best of luck to your pulling group and hope nothing ever happens.

Edited by DrAllis - 10 hours 58 minutes ago at 8:40pm