Until just recently, the only place to get a turbo large enough and strong enough to feed one of these beasties was from one of the specialty manufacturers of the tractors equally impressive fuel systems. These turbos were built from a conglomeration of other parts and represented the best stuff pullers could get. Yes, they worked, but not for long. Then, the Calvary arrived in the form of California-based Turbonetics. Brad Lewis, the V.P. at Turbonetics filled us in, "We were approached a couple of years ago because pullers were having a hard time making good, reliable power with the turbos that were available. Primarily, those turbos were coming from specialty diesel shops and rebuilders, and they were using the best parts they could, but the turbos just couldn't hold up to the stress."
Seeing a problem and developing a solution meant that Lewis and the crew at Turbonetics had to draw on their other motorsports experience. "We took a different approach. We got with several pullers and developed a problem statement. Essentially, we got a list of issues that they were having with the turbos and began to work on something to combat each of those problems. There were guys breaking up to four turbos a weekend, and at $10,000 a piece, that's not cost effective." The major problem with the turbos that Lewis and his crew found after pulling a bunch of busted units apart, was that the turbos were failing because they could not withstand the dynamic thrust load that was being placed on them. "We developed a turbo that can withstand 1,000 pounds of thrust load. That's a huge amount by anyone's standards. We also have a no-fault, no-problem 1-year warranty on these. If you blow one up in the first year you have it, send it back and we will buy the first one for free.
The Pro Stock class is basically dominated by John Deere tractors and International tractors mainly because their factory engines are the easiest to get up to the cubic inch limit. Little told us, "We run a motor that started life as a 619ci engine from a four-wheel-drive tractor. All we do is offset grind the crank half an inch to get the stroke necessary to make the 680ci limit. The small-block-based motors [some other teams use] have to be bored and stroked, but they do not last as long, because they are working harder."
So, there's a look at smoker tractors. They really are diesel dragsters with a giant sled hooked to the rear of them. Keep your eyes peeled for the local state fair or pulling event because you don't want to miss a chance to see what are the most powerful diesel-burning, piston-powered tractors on the planet!
 With all that power, even...  With all that power, even the strongest parts break. Notice the crooked stance on this Allis Chalmers tractor? |  Mix the power of compounded...  Mix the power of compounded turbos and a little traction, and you have enough torque to bust this portal box off of the steel axle tube it's welded to. | |