HET / M1070 To Pull The Sled this Thursday the 26th need advice!

[Evansville Collector]

I am going to pull in the local fair to help generate publicity for our yearly veterans day parade. Since I have never pulled anything with the truck I am looking for advice from those who have, or who used them in the service. I have been reading the TM Operators manual for the past few hours and so far here is what my plan is:

1. Use the Mud/Sand/Snow selection on CTIS so it will air down to 40 pounds. Anyone know how long it takes to air down from highway to that?
2. Use low range and the driveline lock switch. This should engage the lockers in all axles .
3. Use the auto gear selector feature of 2-3 - It says to NEVER use low range over 1200 RPM when in 1st and since first is slow I dont expect to use it. I assume it can take off in second as the sled should not be dug in much at that point.

Questions:

1. I have never used low range before. Can it be a turd to switch ranges? I know like a normal truck do not move, and be in neutral when trying.
2. What is my probability of damaging something? - This truck is my baby and I hate to put it in harms way. I assume that since it is designed to do this day in and day out that it might actually be good for it to be "worked"

Thanks All, and of course I will add video once it happens!

 

[73m819]

You WILL have a MAJOR traction problem, pulling from the pentle will not put any weight extra weight on the ground, with THREE axles sharing the bare frame weight will not do anything for traction, the 1070 is designed for weight on the fifth wheel, with the weight spread over the three rear axles, it increases the traction by about 1,000%, the 1070 IS NOT designed for a huge weight off the pentel, the 1070 is designed as a huge weight hauler (herd of some that hauled a least twice there rating) on hard roads, once in off road conditions, the weight is supposed to be lowered a bit.

 

[Evansville Collector]

That makes sense but I am not sure of any other way to connect it. Also am unsure on how to add much weight to it.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Put a mother-in-law in the passenger seat!

 

[74M35A2]

They are right for max traction, but seriously, just go there, hook it up, let it rip, and have some fun. See how far you can go before it spins, no big deal. Report back how you did. It is not a difference of bringing home a 6 figure prize check or not. If wheels slip, it is not severely overloaded, and will be fine. The 8V92 is a jukebox of music in itself.

 

[Swamp Donkey]

Here's a couple pintle pull videos to give you an idea. Whether you make a full pull or not...the best part will be the screaming Detroit! Be sure to record it.

https://youtu.be/mrd2pN-UTBc

https://youtu.be/RrUNubDIcv8

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

I am going to pull in the local fair to help generate publicity for our yearly veterans day parade. Since I have never pulled anything with the truck I am looking for advice from those who have, or who used them in the service. I have been reading the TM Operators manual for the past few hours and so far here is what my plan is:

1. Use the Mud/Sand/Snow selection on CTIS so it will air down to 40 pounds. Anyone know how long it takes to air down from highway to that?
2. Use low range and the driveline lock switch. This should engage the lockers in all axles .
3. Use the auto gear selector feature of 2-3 - It says to NEVER use low range over 1200 RPM when in 1st and since first is slow I dont expect to use it. I assume it can take off in second as the sled should not be dug in much at that point.

Questions:

1. I have never used low range before. Can it be a turd to switch ranges? I know like a normal truck do not move, and be in neutral when trying.
2. What is my probability of damaging something? - This truck is my baby and I hate to put it in harms way. I assume that since it is designed to do this day in and day out that it might actually be good for it to be "worked"

Thanks All, and of course I will add video once it happens!

Not trying to be sarcastic here but.....

HAVE YOU READ THE TM's??? Particularly the Operations Manual???

I know that some of your answers will be found there.

Seeing as your truck is your "baby", you might want to read up on being a good parent.

Jus' sayin'.

Please keep us posted on your performance in competition. We'll be cheering you on.

 

[Evansville Collector]

Thanks for the kind words. As my post said I have spent hours on this topic, and probably several days joy reading. The manual does not say do XX when pull XX dead weight. It just gives very broad suggestions. But reading is always very different that doing and the hands on experience.

 

[Evansville Collector]

Great videos! It sounds like he is using low and 2-3 selection on gears.

 

[73m819]

Here's a couple pintle pull videos to give you an idea. Whether you make a full pull or not...the best part will be the screaming Detroit! Be sure to record it.

https://youtu.be/mrd2pN-UTBc

https://youtu.be/RrUNubDIcv8

You will notice in the first video that the drag plate on the sled is not making ANY ground contract for the total pull, this is because of the HIGH pental, so in realty it was just a drive off, so for a real pull, the trucks attachment point needs to be dropped way down.

 

[Evansville Collector]

I had not noticed that before! lol, I still want that chain as short a possible.

 

[71DeuceAK]

Video or it didn't happen! I'd like to get an M1070 myself, literally for reasons like this!

 

[jonesal]

You will notice in the first video that the drag plate on the sled is not making ANY ground contract for the total pull, this is because of the HIGH pental, so in realty it was just a drive off, so for a real pull, the trucks attachment point needs to be dropped way down.

You're absolutely right. I just pulled this past weekend and for the boat to work as intended, your hitch has to be 18 to 20 inches from the ground (like a farm tractor). As stated above, hitch up and have fun!

Al Jones
M923
John Deere 4020 puller

 

[someoldmoose]

There is a very old saying, " if ya wanna play, yer gonna pay ". If this is just an exhibition pull, I would talk to the organizer / sled operator and have them set the sled so you can do a "full pull" but just barely. They should know just how much "slide" to put in the sled to achieve this. If she starts working hard about 3/4 track it'll make a great show. I admire ya for doing this for the cause but go in knowing, IF it can break, it WILL at some point. Also agree that you should have somebody record it. Love, love, love the sound of a working Detroit !

 

[Evansville Collector]

The story: We were on time for the pull and waited 1.5 hours for our turn. We went to warm up the trucks as the semi class was called. An official told us that we could NOT pull due to insurance reasons. That was a reversal of all previous discussions. Brian and I went and talked to the track officials in the box. After a few minutes they talked to the person on the ground and he stated that we WOULD be pulling and it was still for show only. So we rushed back to the trucks, got them warmed up and prepared, and were right beside the track. A guy climbed my steps and said we would NOT be pulling due to insurance. I dropped the name of the track guy that said we could and he said it was the sled operator making the call and that since he owns the sled there is nothing that can be done. So I went and talked to the sled operator. His problem is that the pintles are too high on the trucks and he feels strongly that insurance would not cover any liability due to this. It is unfortunate but not the fair folks issue or the sled owner / operator. I can see with there being so much liability in everything that he cannot take the risk. Please do not blame the 4H as the volunteers were all professional and nice. What a great organization! We ended up driving the track to raise awareness for the parade. We did get a standing ovation and many in the crowd were still yelling “pull!!” We hope to get a rule book or technical specs so we can make a proper and safe drop hitch and then be allowed to participate next year. I could tell on the way home that the HET was angry about not getting to drag something heavy. That is what the old girl lives for. Thanks to you everyone for coming out and showing your support!

 

[Evansville Collector]

Here is the video

View attachment 4H Fair Drive By 2018.mov

 

[Gunzy]

I pulled with my HEMTT and there was never any issue even with the pintle height. I pulled after the pro class and with the same sled settings as them. I don't really see what the sled owner/operators issue was. The likelihood of damage to the sled is extremely slim, but the puller is high. I don't know of any classes that our Military rigs fit in so we are always just for show, unless you can get a bunch of MVs there then you can pull against each other for bragging rights. Here is the pull I did in my HEMTT. I was low range 8X8 and would like to try high range some time. Even with me lifting the sled he was able to shut me down at 281 ft.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2z7wmIfg7k&t=3s

 

[someoldmoose]

It's too bad ya didn't get to demonstrate that monster's capability in front of the sled. Another lesson of the pulling world learned. It's a "system". Promoter says, "Yeah ! you can." Tech says, " Looks good, letter rip ! " Sled guy, if the venue hires out, says, " I don't like (you, your truck, your moustache, whatever . . .) it, so NO you can't play with my toy." and that is that. No court of appeal . Sounds like she was still a crowd pleaser regardless. Maybe next time they'll hire a different sled God and ( I REALLY suggest ) you make an opportunity to talk directly to the operator beforehand. I was not there obviously, but I suspect it had more to do with the sled operator not expecting THAT to settle in his domain. They don't like surprises.

 

[Evansville Collector]

Thanks everyone! I bet the comment on the surprise is what got me. I will try and contact him before next year and if he is local make a relationship. I dont see how using two chains could possibly damage the sled. There were some pretty sketchy hobbled together giant tractors pulling it that night.

 

[74M35A2]

I think he just got scared that triple reduction drive rear axles hooked to a 500hp 8v92 was going to rip the uterus out of his sled.

I really take my hat off to those who are not scared to have some fun.