Two Rolls Royce Griffon

[NielsShoe]

I would rather the engines that won the war were still alive making noise rather than polished up in some rich snobs house.

[Bamchucknorris]

what a waste of a classic engine...

[louswire]

stop anthropomorphising. these old motors can't feel anything. sure there is a certain beauty in the sound of one running properly, but they can not experience 'agony'. truth is, aviation regs require engines that have reached their service life limit, (timed out) to be replaced, it really sucks to yank a running engine out of an airframe and discard it, but those are the rules... and a running engine still has some use left in it. as seen here.

[spinaway]

What does it matter what the engines are used for now, The war is overThese Beautiful Motors woul be rusting away in a field if it wasnt for people like pullingworld.

[rudeboyzero]

They shouldn't be wrecking them on tractors.

They should save them to restore and maintain warbirds.

[s1914]

Fabulous ! Don't listen to the purists - anyone using one of these fantastic engines gets my vote !

[Nickshark1982]

REDNECKS MAN REDNECKS

[PerryDubya]

at least rednecks are dumb enough to drive something with 2 airplane motors in it haha

[bsatom]

I suppose all you snobs who never wrenched on one of these would rather see a static display or one mounted on a stand or something. Yeah it's a redneck toy, let em have some fun. I think it's a neat display of usable power for what amounts to obsolete industrial surplus.

[Alisterwolf66]

I partly agree. Personally, I'd much rather see these powerplants used in the machines they were intended for: Spitfires, Shackletons, and such.

That said, this pulling team has put forth an incredible effort to engineer a tractor around a pair of aviation engines. I'd bet that team provides far better service to those engines than Rolls-Royce ever thought of in the days when they were built and in active service.

[bsatom]

And in the world of truck and tractor pulls, THAT IS A VERY FAST "FULL" PULL. Super display of power and sound. Both factions can have fun with these, the good ol' boys and the aviation guys who cringe at the sight of this. Maybe the engines outlast the airframe, should they scrap the engine too? Like I said. Let em have some fun, the engines are obviously available and were just sitting around,so why not? I enjoy seeing them run, I can tell you do too.

[FiveCentsPlease]

With the exception of new manufacturing of a few selected parts, the supply of these engines is dwindling for historical conservation and restorations. (Admittedly, Griffons are still in good supply, but so were Merlins and Allisons 40 years ago before boat racing.) If in the future new engines can be made, then more power to the pullers. It's unlikely because of the high costs of modern tooling and the liability issues (i.e. lawsuits) for anyone who offers new parts.

[Bergstaller01]

the only time these engines are put in full power is on takeoff (except for airracing) and are not nearly subjected to as much force like driving a transmission compared to spinning a propeller, utter waste of a perfectly usable engine that can restore a piece of history instead its used as a redneck toy

[TeamWhittingham]

Can I just ask how you'd know that? Used in aircraft, the intended use for aero engines, they are used at full throttle for much, much longer than they could ever be used in tractor pulling, so please, if you would, explain how tractor pulling damages these engines more than they would be damaged in an aircraft. If that bit of logic doesn't prove it, the manual advises a complete overhaul after 300 flying hours.

[FiveCentsPlease]

Engine builders Sam Torvick and Bill Moja commented on the effects of sudden rapid heat expansion causing cylinder liner and head distortion (eventually fatal to engine and parts)-- which is what you can expect from use in pulling and air racing which demand maximum power. No, aircraft do not fly around at full throttle--reference climb and cruise power settings. Even in wartime War Emergency Power (WEP) was limited because engine damage will occur.

[s1914]

very interesting - thanks !

[FiveCentsPlease]

P.S. I hope my explanation is helpful. I can't help you with that Internet Tough Guy thing, though.

[FiveCentsPlease]

It amazes me that some members of this sport continue to use these historical engines in a manner which assures their destruction. The era of these relics "rusting away" in a scrapyard ended years ago. Based on comments from those who restore these valuable engines, the stresses and twisting forces this sport and boat racing put on these engines does guarantee that they are useless afterward.

[TeamWhittingham]

It's not that, it's the explosions that do it for them. That said, these engines weren't meant to last forever. Running at full power you'd only get a few thousand flying hours out of them before they went themselves, because planes weren't expected to last that long before being shot down. If you think about it, we're making sure they see out their days in use.

[FiveCentsPlease]

The engine cores will last if serviced and used properly (and if the parts supply remains.) The only reason for an engine to grenade would be unexpected failure or abuse. As used today, these engines don't get high time or high stress (except Reno racing) and last for decades. It's a high probability that every puller engine will be destroyed in use at some point.

[pullingworldcom]

As one of those working with warbird engines I can tell you, that NONE of the engines we have put on our tractors have ever been in the air. Pretty much any engine we had that was close to "air worthy" went back to aircraft guys.

In fact we have manufactured parts for those engines that you couldn't get anymore, that kept aircraft guys going.

[pullingworldcom]

Also rebuild engines that were used to pump water in California or power saw mills!!

Parts that have been slightly damged may not be used for aircraft engines anymore. For the tractor pull use, we can weld them up and use them.

And for static display: if you want to "safe" one of those engines, feel free to contact me. I will set you up with some motors - given you can afford them.

[beastinblack]

Something I forgot to add, it really does sound like it is in agony, a machine with real feelings.

[beastinblack]

At least its not rusting away in a scrapyard, but I see your point :(

[stevejamesmorris]

Yes a total waste for sure.

[palealien]

Sorry, but what a sad fate for such a magnificent powerplant.

[scrolldek]

Im amazed no one else as put any comments on this.I went to a tractor pull some years ago, and was utterly blown away by the sheer power and scale of the sound of the twin griffon tractors,must get there again this year.There aint no music I know of that comes close to that produced by these machines.Have you anymore twin griffon tractor videos or some of good old brian armistead and desperate dan?

[TeamWhittingham]

Which tractor pull were you at? I could get you some videos, there's the British Championships in a month from now... Just wondering, is Brian's tractor the only British modified you've heard of?