2025 NPJ RULES FOR HOT STOCK  TRACTORS

(see also GENERAL RULES, which apply for all classes and competitors)
Weight Classes:

HOT STOCK Non-Turbo 5500 lbs. & 6000 lbs. 

HOT STOCK 'OPEN' 6500 lbs.  -  limited to 3"x3" max turbo 

GENERAL RULES FOR TURBOCHARGERS OVER 3000 RPM's apply to 'OPEN' class 

H1.  Tractor must have a stock appearance (example: A John Deere must have a John Deere engine, rear end and original sheet metal intact.) *NPJ Recommends Hot Stock Tractors use steel axle hubs as a safety measure instead of OEM Cast iron hubs.*

H2.  Engine change is allowed - all engines must be of the type used by the factory and must bolt up without the use of an adaptor plate.

H3. Front end may be home made but must maintain stock appearing wheelbase and stock engine location.  Maximum length 12 feet from the center of the rear axel to the furthest point forward, including weights.

H4.  Exhaust must discharge upward 18 inches above the hood line.

H5.  Cut tires are allowed

H6.  Weights:
 Weights may not be extended forward more than 12 feet from the center of the rear axle.
 All weight frames and weights must be stationary and safely secured to tractor.
 Weights may not extent rearward beyond rear tires.
 No weights may be located in a position which could hinder safe operation of the tractor.
 No ballast weights on tractor seat and or deck of the tractor.
 No weights or brackets may exceed 12 inches in width beyond the tires.
 No weights or brackets to be closer that 8 inches to draw bar hook point.


H7.  Maximum Tire Size 18.4 X 38

H8.  Tractors can compete in no more than two (2) classes per session with that particular tractor. 


H9.  All tractors must be equipped with working rear brakes. Fenders are required on all tractors.

H10.  Wheelie bars are required on all tractors:
Pads on bottom of bars to be a minimum of 5 inches square.
Pads to be a minimum of 32 inches rearward from center of the  rear housing    
Pads maximum of 10 inches off the ground.
Wheelie bars and hitch may not be connected to hitch.
Outside to outside of wheelie bar pads to be a minimum of 20 inches
Wheelie bars must support the weight of the tractor for the weight class being pulled.


H11.  Carburetor clarification for all non turbo classes - one carburetor only.

H12.  Hitch height is 20 inches.  Hitch length is 18 inches from the center of the rear axel to the hook point.  Drawbar must be rigid in all directions.  No movement is allowed while pulling.  Drawbar must be parallel to the ground.  Hitch must be horizontal, not vertical.

H13. Tractors whose RPMs exceed 3,000 are required to have a steel flywheel and use a safety shield in the form of either: a scatter safety blanket,

or a  4 inch wide X 3/8 thick steel around the flywheel area.            


H14.  Torque converters and automatic shifts are permitted.

H15.  Legal fuels are: gasoline, diesel fuel, and LP Propane.  All forms of nitro-methane and propylene oxide are not allowed.

H16.  Kill Switch:
 For Spark ignition engines, the kill switch must either break or ground the ignition circuit and must break electric power to an electric fuel pump(s) if so equipped

 For Diesel Engines. the shut off cable must be activate the air shutoff to the engine.  The air shutoff cable must be a positive type enclosed cable.

The kill switch must be mounted independently of the draw bar and or wheelie bars. 

Kill switch to be located in the rear center of the vehicle, 48 inches above the ground and within 6 inches of the center of the hook point.

 Kill switch must have a minimum of a 2 inch diameter solid ring with a minimum of 1/8 inch cross section thickness.


H17. HOT STOCK Drivers must wear shirt, shoes and long pants. HOT STOCK drivers must wear a helmet. HOT STOCK tractors must be equipped with a seat belt (Lap Belt) if tractor is equipped with a ROPS or Roll Cage, to prevent hitting helmet/head off structure during hook.

All HOT STOCK tractors must have a minimum 2-1/2 lbs. ABC fire extinguisher mounted within reach of the driver. 


(END HS)

New Penn Jersey Tractor Pullers Association Inc.

SINCE 1978

2025 NPJ "TOO HOT TO FARM" Tractors

​See also General Rules which apply for all competitiors and vehicles.

GENERAL RULES for TURBOCHARGERS over 3000 RPMs apply to this class as well

TH-1. Weight class is 11,500 lbs.

          Tractors can compete in no more than two (2) classes per session with that particular tractor.

TH-2. Wheelie Bars required. (See NPJ Hot Stock tractor rules for parameters)

TH-3. ROPS equivalent to factory OEM required.

TH-4. Deadman Throttle Required.

TH-5. Air shut-off (guillotine style) Required

TH-6. Bell Housing Blanket Required.

TH-7. Tie Bars required. 

TH-8. Side Sheilds required.

TH-9. DOT approved helmet and seat belt required.

TH-10. No Altered Tires.

TH-11. Water Injection is allowed.

End of "Too Hot to Farm" Rules.


2025 NPJ FARM STOCK TRACTOR RULES

(see also GENERAL RULES, which apply for all classes and competitors)
F1.  Tractor must have a stock agricultural engine block, with no visual engine modifications. 
        Engine must be original type or factory replacement. 
        All turbochargers (on factory equipped models) must be under the hood. 
        Original hood and grill must be in place. 
        No electric fuel pump unless stock factory equipment.

        No water injection allowed.

        Starter must be in place. 
        All wheels must be in place. 
        1960 and newer tractor must have PTO and hydraulics present or factory manufactured cover. 
        Fenders must be present on all 1960 and newer tractors.


F2.  All factory fuel tanks must be in place and in use on all farm stock classes. 
       An air cleaner with an element must be in place and in use on all farm stock classes.

F3.  Exhaust must discharge upward from the hood line,

         with a minimum pipe length of 18" or use a muffler.
      Curved pipes must discharge forward or to the side, 
                       unless it is factory equipment that does not allow it to be turned.
      A factory under slung exhaust system in working condition is also acceptable.

F4. No add-on turbochargers or intercooler's allowed in 5,500 lbs. up to 9,500 lbs. classes.
    Turbocharger must be the stock turbo for that model allowed in 5,500 lbs. up to  9,500 lbs. classes. 
    11,500 lbs., 13,500 lbs., and 15,500 lbs. classes are allowed any 3" in by 3" out turbocharger.

    11,500 lbs., 13,500 lbs., and 15,500 lbs. classes are allowed any "A" pump on any tractor.

 *"A" pump tractors allowed a belt-driven pump or gear-driven pump, but NO Electric push pumps.*


F5.  Weight classes and the maximum horsepower ratings as taken from www.tractordata.com

4,000 lbs. - Max PTO HP 35 - Maximum 299 Factory Cubic Inch Limit.
4,500 & 5,500 lbs. & 6,500 lbs. - max PTO HP 65
7,500 lbs. - max PTO HP 85

9,500 lbs. - max PTO HP 105
 
11,500 lbs., 13,500 lbs. & 15,500 lbs. - max PTO HP 200

Note:   A dynamometer can be used at club discretion.

F6.  Maximum usable tire sizes for farm stock classes are as follows:
4,000 & 4,500 lbs. - 14.9x26 or 13.6x38 or 12.4x42
5,500 lbs. & 6,500 lbs. - 18.4x28 or 16.9x38
7,500 lbs. - 18.4x38
9,500 lbs. - 23.1x26 or 20.8x38 or 18.4x42
11,500 lbs., 13,500 lbs., & 15,500 lbs. - Max Width of 24.5"Sizes Determined By FIRESTONE Tire Finder Website Using FIRESTONE FIELD & ROAD DATA for GROSS FLAT PLATE. RIM WIDTH MAY NOT BE WIDER THAN TIRES BEING USED EX-15.5" tire on a 15.5" rim.


F7.  Contest open to two wheel drive tractors with rubber tires.
         (no sharpened/cut tires, no dual tires, no tire studs or chains permitted). 
         Four-wheel drive tractors allowed if front wheels are disengaged.

F8.  Drawbar is to be stationary in all directions with no more than 1” of movement in any one direction.

Maximum height of drawbar to be 20”. 


Length of Drawbar (from center of rear axle to hooking point) to be no less than:
18 inches for 4000-4500-5500-6500 lbs. classes.
24 inches for 7500-9500-11500-13500-15500 lbs. classes.


Drawbar must be equipped with a steel-hitching device minimum 1/2" thickness, maximum 1" thickness. 
Hitch must have a minimum (3 inches wide by 3-3/4 inches long) opening.    

Cross sectional thickness must be 7/8” minimum. 

Pulling point may not be more than 1 ¼” from back edge of hitching device. 

NPJ suggests fastening the hitching device with one 7/8” or two 5/8” grade 5 bolt or bolts. 

No top bracing except complete factory setup.

No quick hitch type adapters allowed on tractors. 

No vertical hitches or upright clevises allowed.
A twist clevis is permitted if large enough and securely fastened to drawbar so it does not move.
IF YOU ARE UNSURE IF YOUR HITCH WILL MEET REQUIREMENTS, ASK TECH OFFICIALS ASAP.  


F9.   No portion of tractor or ballast may interfere with sled or sled hitch during pull.

F10. No weight frame or weight may extend more than 24” beyond the forward most point of the tractor.
      All weight frames and weights must be stationary and safely secured to the tractor. 
      Weights and brackets must not extend rearward beyond the rear tires. 

No weights may be located in a position, which could hinder safe operation of the tractor. 

No weights on the drivers seat. 

No weights or brackets may exceed in width 12” beyond the tires. 

Any ballast or external parts lost while hooked to the sled under green flag will be cause for disqualification. Internal parts excepted. 

No weights or brackets to be closer than 8” to the drawbar point of hook.


F11.  All tractors must be equipped with working rear wheel brakes.

F12.   Maximum allowable RPM's:

4,000 lbs. - 4,500 lbs. - 5,500 lbs. - 6,500 lbs. - 7,500 lbs. & 9,500 lbs. classes limited to 2,800 RPM
11,500 lbs., 13,500 lbs., & 15,500 lbs. classes limited to 3,000 RPM

All John Deere 2 cylinders are limited to 1,500 RPM

Any tractor with a factory RPM rating in excess of limits outlined here, will be allowed to run at FACTORY RPM'S plus 10% as determined by tractordata.com  


F13.  PACE procedures using Digital Display:

The digital display is linked "LIVE" into the weight transfer sled electronics and will be the soles deciding factor on PACE.

It is each competitor's responsibility to watch the digital display AND the flagmen during their pass attempts.

All PACE class competitors must make a good clean pass under the designated speed limit or be disqualified.


FARM STOCK PACE SPEEDS AS FOLLOWS:

                    4,000 - 4,500 - 5,500 - 6,500 lbs. at 4 MPH

                    

                    7,500 & 9,500 lbs. at 5 MPH


                    11,500 - 13,500 - 15,500 lbs.  at 7 MPH and also at 16 MPH


At the end of each pass, the digital display will show the highest speed attained during that pass, and that is the number that will be judged as good or no good.

EX: 4 MPH means display numbers up to 4.0 at end of pass are good, 4.1 and up are no good.

EX: 7 MPH means display numbers up to 7.0 at end of pass are good, 7.1 and up are no good.


The 75 foot foul line is in effect: if a competitor makes an attempt at a pass and is 'over-pace' but still short of the foul-line, the competitor can elect to stop there and immediately follow the weight transfer sled back to the start line for a second and final attempt. Test Puller must attempt to hold PACE. Blatant overspeed will result in forfeit of hook and test position. Next Puller on line-up will become test puller in event of forfeit. Finishing Flagman will have final decision.  

F14.  During a pull the governor must be in working condition and must not allow the engine to exceed max allowed rpm under load.

F15.  Any rotating PTO shaft that cannot be stopped by the driver’s hand must be shielded.

F16.  All stock tractors must be tech inspected before being allowed to hook and compete. After a tractor has been inspected and passed, a stock tractor tech form must be signed by the tech inspector and the driver.

F17.  Tractors can compete in no more than two (2) classes per session with that particular tractor.
       The number of hooks is subject to change due to time constraints, puller turn-out, weather conditions, etc.


F18.  The use if torque converters, automatic shifts, etc. will be permitted if original factory equipment for make and model being entered. No slipper clutches allowed.

(END FS)