NEBRASKA BUSH PULLERS
Super Farm - Limited Super Stock - Modified
Tractor Pulling

2008 RULES
(These rules are for reference only.  Official NBPI rulebook will be used in case of discrepancy.)

GENERAL & SAFETY RULES

SECTION 1

MEMBERSHIP AND GENERAL ASSOCIATION

 1-1   MEMBERSHIP DUES AND INSURANCE

 A.      Membership fee includes dues and newsletter. It must be paid before you pull.

 B.      “Old” members must be signed up by March 31st. After April 1st, a $25.00 extra fee will be charged.

 C.      Insurance is required to pull and must be paid before you pull. Current premium is listed above. This is per member. It provides $1,000,000.00 liability protection.

 D.      Drivers of tractors must sign the insurance waiver before their tractor may hook to the sled. If hook is completed without a signature on the waiver at that day’s pull, that tractor will forfeit points and money for that day.

1-2   VOTING POLICIES

You must be a current year member to vote on any NBPI decisions. Only competing members are allowed to vote on track and equipment rules changes. Competing member is defined as a member who hooks a tractor a minimum of three times during the season. (hooks in three different classes or at three pulls).

 Voting during the rules meeting will be as follows: Vote together as a group on general, membership, track and pull rules. All discussion on equipment rules will be done together, but voting will be done separately according to the type of tractor you have (Super  Stock votes Super Stock, Super Farm votes  Super Farm equipment rules, Modified vote Modified equipment rules).

 One vote per tractor.

 1-3   ACTIONS

All drivers and crew members must act in a sensible manner. If not, after one warning they will face possible expulsion from the organization

 1-4   – AGE REQUIREMENT

Drivers must be a minimum of 16 years of age.

 1-5   MEMBERSHIP

Membership is open to anyone following the Bush Puller rules.

 1-6   PIT PASSES

Four pit passes per certified tractor will be given. Passes issued when the tractor is certified.

 1-7   RULES VIOLATIONS

For rules violations the penalty will be:

1st violation – lose points and money for that day.

2nd violation – barred from association for 1 year plus 1 day from date of violation.

SECTION 2

CLASSES / POINTS / PULL-OFFS

 2-1 CLASSES

The NBPI will have six classes of tractors:

Pro Stock –       6500 lb. and 7500 lb.

Super Farm –    8200 lb. and 9200 lb.

Modified –         5700 lb. and 6000 lb.

 NOTE – Weight is subject to the following conditions:

SUPER FARM 

 8200, and 9200 lb. Classes must have a minimum of 200 lbs. of movable weight.

Tractors running under the  Nebraska Tractor PUllers Limited Pro  rules will

be allowed 300# Additonal weight in each Super Farm Class.

 No new alcohol tractor may be built for the 8200 lb. And 9200 lb. Classes.

 MODIFIED WEIGHT

you must weigh a maximum of 5700 and 6000 lbs.

If the engine is one naturally aspirated single engine you must weight a maximum of 6200 lbs. and 7200 lbs. with a maximum, of 710 cubic inches.

 SFI  roll cage is required for all tractors.

 Aftermarket heads and blocks are allowed on modified engines.

 2-2 ORDER OF PULL

Order of pull will be as follows: 9200 Super Farm, 5700 Modified, 6500 Pro Stock, 8200 Super Farm, 6000 Modified, 7500 Pro Stock. Order will change only if track official deems necessary due to track conditions.

 2-3 POINTS SYSTEM

A points system is kept to determine the yearly winner in each class. Points are given to the tractor, regardless of the number of team members. Points are awarded as follow: 5 points for hooking to the sled (hook points). These 5 hook points will also be awarded to a tractor that is forced to scratch out of its second weight class due to breakage (tractor would not have to hook in second class to be awarded hook points.) Hook points will be awarded for a rainout if tractor is signed in and on location. In addition, 10 points will be awarded to the first place tractor and declining increments of 1 point shall be awarded to the top ten tractors in each weight class. Example: 15 pts. First place, 14 pts. Second place, 13 pts., Third place and so on.

 2-5 HOOK POINTS AND DISQUALIFICATION

5 hook points are given even if disqualified in a class. No money on disqualification.

 2-5 TIES

If there is a tie, points and money for that place and the one after it will be combined and split evenly. For example, a tie for 1st place would score 1st and 2nd place money and points, combined and split evenly.

 2-6 FLOATING FINISH

A floating finish will be used at all events.

 2-7 ONE TIME HOOKS

A one time hook fee of $60.00 will be assessed the day of the pull. $40.00 will go to the treasury and $20.00 will be paid for insurance. Tractor will not receive points for a one time hook.

SECTION 3

CERTIFICATION AND PROTEST

 3-1 CERTIFICATION

Certification of tractor is required. Tractor must be weighed with full fuel, water, and oil levels, as the tractor would compete on the track. Reservoirs and kill switches will be checked at this time. There will be inspection of all safety equipment and other tractor components. Levels are subject to be checked at any time by a rules officer. Certification must be supervised by one board member and one member other than yourself. Tractor, with driver, must be certified before you pull. There will be three (3) main dates to certify, (dates to be set by officers.) Any puller wishing to certify at any time other than the three set dates is responsible for lining up a scale, and having an officer and one other member present to certify.

 3-2 TRACTOR WEIGHT

Tractor and driver must not exceed weight class. Any tire change requires recertification of tractor. There will be a scale at every Nebraska Bush Pull and every tractor competing will be weight and immediately proceed to the pull staging area.

 3-3 PROTEST

A protest of one competing member against another competing member requires a $50.00 deposit up front. All protests must be made within 15 minutes of completion of event. First, contact a rules officer. Item protested will be checked and either puller or protestor will receive money. This goes for protest of any type, i.e., equipment, rules, fuels (fuel sample to be taken and tested at independent lab, at loser’s expense), or for any other protest.

 To protest a modified tractor under the cubic inch rule, contact a modified rules officer. Protestor and driver being protested must first put up $250.00 each. On a protest, all tractors will be checked if the tractor being protested fails the test.

 3-4 FLYWHEEL INSPECTION

This rule has been deleted. Refer to rules 7-22 and 7-31 (hooded tractors) and 8-17 & 8-31(modifieds).

SECTION 4

DISQUALIFICATION

 4-1 WEIGHT

Loss of ballast weight will result in disqualification.

 4-2 PARTS

A.      Loss of safety equipment and/or failure of safety equipment to function.

B.      Excessive loss of liquid onto the track by pulling vehicle, while in forward motion,during a contest, will be cause for disqualification, unless due to internal breakage. All discharge tubes must vent outside the frame rails in track of rear  tires or into a container.

 NOTE: Excessive is defined as any steady or intermitted stream of discharge onto the track, or a spot equivalent to more than 8” in diameter.

 4-3 LIQUID

A warning will be issued from official if there is excessive liquid spilled on the track. If problem is not corrected before the next class, or the next pull, you will be disqualified.

 4-4 OUT OF BOUNDS

Out of bounds with tractor only up to the 300 foot mark. Chalk lines or stakes will determine the boundary.

 4-5 EQUIPMENT

Any illegal equipment will be cause for disqualification.

 4-6 START LINE

Leaving the starting line under the red flag will be cause for disqualification.

 4-7 CONDUCT

Any unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated.

 4-8 FUEL

No illegal fuels allowed (nitromethane, nitrous oxide, or other oxygen carriers.)

 4-9 OTHER

Violation of any other rule (equipment, weight, track, etc.) will be cause for disqualification.

 SECTION 5

PULL RULES / TRACK RULES / CLASS RESTART

 5-1 TRACK SAFETY

During the pull, safety is always in the front of everyone’s mind. The crowd must be kept at least 25 feet from the track area in all directions. Spectators in the pit area are to be kept to a minimum. The ends of the track must be kept open at all times. The NBPI will not operate any pull at which a safety hazard is posed to anyone.

 5-2 ENTRY LIMIT

Each tractor will be limited to two classes at a pull or event and only once in each class.

 5-3 INTERFERENCE

No weights, brackets, or braces may interfere with the hookup of the skid or interfere with the chain during the pull.

 5-4 LEAVING TRACK

All tractors must leave the track under their own power, unless broken down.

 5-5 TRACK SIZE

Track must be, if possible, 300 feet long, or as long as area warrants, with adequate run-off room, and not less than 30 feet wide.

 5-6 MEASUREMENT

A floating finish (no 300 ft. full pull, but go until the sled stops) will be used.

 5-7 TRACTOR OPERATION

Pulling tractor must be operated in a safe manner. Operator must remain seated during the pull attempt. Officers have the right to disqualify any driver that cannot handle his/her tractor in an orderly manner.

 5-8 RIDERS

Driver only is allowed on the tractor while it is moving. No riders allowed while hooked to the sled, on the track, driving to or away from the track or driving in the pit area.

 5-9 SPOTTING SLED

Each puller has the privilege of and the responsibility for, spotting the sled. Pull back tractor operator, or sled operator must be notified when, or before previous tractor unhooks from the sled.

 5-10 ENTERING THE CLASS

Tractor must be entered in the classes the competitor desires to pull in before the pull starts, unless the officials are agreeable as to the reason for the lateness of the competitor.  Each puller will draw for position, drawing for their light class first and their heavy class second. If puller arrives too late to draw for their first class they will be assigned a position. When possible, puller may still draw for position in their second class. All competitors must be entered 30 minutes before the pull begins.

 5-11 STARTING TIME LIMIT

Tractor and driver will have 3 minutes to make it to the sled after sled is pulled back and ready to hook, unless track conditions don’t allow it.

 5-12 SLED CHAIN LENGTH

From hook point on the tractor to front of sled, must be a maximum of 54-inch chain length on the sled.

 5-13 TEST PULLER

Number one puller for a class will be the test puller and may take that pull if the sled setting is acceptable. To receive first puller options, the tractor must hook to the sled and attempt a pull. If puller refuses that pull, he goes either to fourth or last position. Choice must be made before unhooking from the sled.

 If the first puller on the lineup sheet refuses his first pull and wants to pull fourth, 4th puller will be defined as: 3 DIFFERENT tractors between first and fourth puller.

 5-14 CLASS RESTART

A class restart will be up to the discretion of the track officials.

 5-15 SECOND ATTEMPT

If the puller wishes to make a second attempt, he/she must attempt to stop before the front of the sled passes the 75 feet mark. A track official stationed near the 75 feet mark will make the decision whether an attempt was made. The second attempt must be made at that time, unless tractor is broken. If broken, and repairs can be made before the end of the class, puller may come back for second attempt. At that time puller will have only one attempt. (An attempt is defined as moving the sled a measurable distance.)

 5-16 OUT OF BOUNDS

Anyone going beyond the sideline stakes with any portion of the tractor is disqualified. Out of bounds, or any other disqualification, 1st puller or not, driver is disqualified, unless the class is restarted. The boundary will be determined by either a chalk line or stakes.

 5-17 FIRST PULLER ON RESTART

On a restart of a class the original 1st puller has the option of being 1st puller or drop to fourth or last. It will be the responsibility of the first puller to remain at the track until the decision is made by the track officials whether to continue or restart a class. At that time the 1st puller will decide whether he/she will remain 1st puller or drop to fourth or last. Tractors that pulled before the restart may drop to 4th or last position according to how they were on the lineup sheet. 4th position, or puller, will be defined as 3 DIFFERENT tractors between 1st official hook and fourth puller, or fourth position.

 5-18 DRAWBAR HEIGHT CHECK

Mandatory drawbar height check will be done at the beginning of the track before each pull attempt. This applies to all Pro Stock, Super Farm, and Modified tractors. Checking is driver’s responsibility.

 5-19 ALCOHOL

No drinking of alcoholic beverages by a participating tractor driver or track official.

SECTION 6

SAFETY EQUIPMENT, REGULATIONS (ALL CLASSES)

 6-1 STARTED TRACTORS

If tractor is running, a qualified operator must be in the driver’s seat. Exception is when the tractor is hooked to the sled and driver dismounts to change weight.

 6-2 HELMETS

Racing competition full face helmets or motorcycle helmets are required. You must have your helmet on when driving onto the track and while tractor is hooked to the sled. Chinstrap must be fastened. All helmets must meet or exceed Snell 1985 rating or must be SFI SPEC 41.2. No modifications or alterations of the helmet are allowed. Helmets with flame retardant lining and a flame retardant neck skirt are allowed. If you use a helmet with flame retardant lining and a flame retardant neck skirt, no head sock is required. NOTE: Once a helmet has suffered a severe impact, it must be replaced or sent to manufacturer for re-inspection.

 6-3 FIRE EXTINGUISHER

All tractors must be equipped with a working fire extinguisher, minimum 2 ½ lb. dry chemical, or equivalent, located convenient to the driver, or so that it can be reached by a track official (so that driver can reach it while seated on the tractor.)

 6-4 WEIGHTS

All weights must be securely fastened to tractor or tractor weight brackets. No loose weights allowed anywhere on the tractor.

 6-5 SCATTER BLANKET

A scatter blanket is required. Specifications are listed under Super Stock/Super Farm Equipment Rules and Modified Equipment Rules.

6-6 TRANSMISSION REVERSE LIGHT

All tractors must be equipped with a transmission reverse light that shall be activated only when the tractor transmission is shifted to the reverse position. This light shall be white in color, a minimum of 2 inches in diameter, tilted downward toward the hitch area and located within 12 inches of the safety kill switch at the rear of the tractor.

6-7 FIRE SUITS

Regulation fire suits, fire shoes, fire gloves, and head socks or helmet skirts are mandatory for all drivers, pro stock, super farm, and modified regardless of fuel source.

 6-8 ROLL CAGE

A NBPI approved roll cage must be installed on all tractors and inspected by a NBPI roll cage inspector. A 4-point safety harness attached to the roll cage is mandatory for Super Stock, Super Farm and modified tractors.

6-9 OTHER

All other safety rules as listed under equipment and elsewhere applies to all classes.

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