Patty's Day Pullin'

Top of the mornin’ pullin’ fans! Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Pour a pint of your favorite brew and tighten the five-point harness as we drink up another edition of “This Week in Pulling.” This one is pretty easy and obvious. Seeing as it is St. Patrick’s Day, the article will be solely focused on the prominent color of the day: Green! Ah, but don’t be deceived by a tricky leprechaun, this article is NOT just a highlighting focus on John Deere, but the entirety of the color green itself. Readers, today it is my mission to count down the top five most influential “green” pulling vehicles throughout the years. 

Before I get into my list, I do want to point out a few things. Firstly, the color green, as stated earlier is not simply an application of the brand John Deere. To qualify for this list the concept of green needs to be applied in any of a variety of ways. It could be the paint of the vehicle, the name of the tractor, or any loose interpretation. As long as it’s “green,” it counts. Secondly, we need to acknowledge the word influential. I am not looking at the winningest, or most dominant. I am counting down vehicles that have contributed something noteworthy, entertaining, innovative, or impressive over the years. Finally, this is no definitive list. This is my humble opinion. You will disagree. Which is good. I love it when folks form opinions, especially if it keeps them talking about pulling. So let’s drop a green flag on this list and get into it! 

Number 5:

Double Dealing.

I’ll admit I don’t know much about this tractor. I have seen it pop up on some various clips on youtube when my sons are scrolling through pulling vehicles. I think it hooks in th Mid-South of Battle of the Bluegrass. Perhaps from Kentucky. So why does a light limited super stock that I can’t expound on much make the top five green list? Because it’s the most unique of “other” green paint I’ve ever seen! It’s a beautiful Oliver 1755 running on alcohol. Painted in deep Oliver green. Until you walk to the other side. Suddenly you are staring at a Minneapolis Moline G 850. Essentially these were the same tractor. When White Farm Equipment began merging Cockshutt, Oliver, and Minneapolis Moline, their production styles became essentially the same. The final series of tractors for each brand only varied by color, and model number. It’s half green. It’s unique. It’s awesome. 

Number 4:

Preparation H/ Fast Lane

Green International Harvesters. Now, call me crazy, because I cannot seem to find a picture of it online anywhere, but I am all but certain that the Harmon’s 1066 version of the Preparation H was painted John Deere green and yellow at one point. For safeties sake, I’ll throw in Jeff Hirt’s Fastlane Case IH with the green paint scheme. 

Number 3:

Everything Boyd. Green Streak. Green Streak X. Green Streak Unlimited.

Ok, ok, I can’t celebrate green pulling and entirely leave John Deere off of it. The Green Streak team has a body of work that really speaks for itself. Complete dominators and innovators in the world of modified, mini, and pro stock pulling. The impact of the Boyds can still be felt in their tractors that have been sold and run under new names today. They win continually and have done so for decades. 

Number 2:

The Green Monster.

Art Arfons was Ken Veney before we had Ken Veney. He was a speed car driver turned tractor puller, who innovated things, won, and was absolutely fearless. The Green Monster is arguably the most recognizable and iconic pulling vehicle ever to set tire on a track. From the massive turbines, to the fire show on the starting line, to the bright green wheel caps. Heck, the guy sat in the middle of the chassis on TOP of the engines. He brought a crowd to a pull just by himself. And it wasn’t just for show, no, half the time the guy won! This tractor is an absolute legend. 

Number 1: 

The Walshes’ Irish Challenger.

Guys, on St. Patrick’s Day, who else could it be? The Walsh brothers have dominated pulling with two-wheel drives, 3 engine mods, 4 engine mods, turbine mods. If you think horsepower, they have driven it. They also have the legacy that lasts. They have pulled since the glory days of the 80’s and continue to do it year in and year out with every variety of vehicle they can get their hands on. They are legends, and today should belong to them. 

BONUS LIST!!! 

To keep the John Deere guys happy, I have made a bonus list just for them. Folks, I present to you the top three John Deere pulling tractors NOT to be painted the color green. 

Number 3:

Voodoo Deere. Scott Holtgrew’s matte black Deere from Nebraska pulls in the light super stock division. Even when it was green, (The Color of Money) It wasn’t John Deere green. It’s a hard-nosed runner. When it’s right, it’s liable to go 400 feet. It’s a cool lookin’ ride. 

Number 2:

Bad Medicine. Not the White 2-180 driven by Bryan and Ernie Conner, but their John Deere predecessor, painted the color white. It ran on alcohol, naturally, and it had stacks that were notably taller than any other pullers at the time. It also had the biggest crossbar weight rack I’ve ever seen. That’s because this white John Deere, that was built as a 5500 pound light super would weight up and pull at 7500, as well as 9500 pounds. And win. You can’t do that anymore. 

Number 1: