John Deere Tractor Equipped with a V16 Detroit Diesel Tugboat Engine Is a Powerful Sled-Pulling Machine

      Kyle Ross via YouTube

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      Race cars are impressive, but they often come with regulations. The same applies to pulling trucks and tractors. However, this doesn’t deter some individuals from creating the ultimate versions of their machines. Some people develop Corvette track cars that outperform factory racers, but Dave Will decided to innovate with a John Deere 5020, equipping it with a 16-cylinder Detroit Diesel engine sourced from a tugboat.

      This creation is named "Johnzilla," and the name fits perfectly. The enormous two-stroke engine, which alone displaces 1,136 cubic inches, is mounted at the front. Will extended the frame by three feet to accommodate the engine, which essentially consists of two parallel V8s. It produces an estimated 600 horsepower, along with who knows how much torque.

      Clearly, that’s a significant amount of power, but there are other pulling tractors that achieve greater output with less displacement. Maximum specific output isn't the primary goal of Will's project. He told Farm Show Magazine that he had previously constructed a John Deere powered by a Detroit 12V71, and this time, he wanted to push the limits further.

      The outcome is precisely that—impressive. The massive dually wheels, dual chrome air intakes, and twin chrome stacks complete the striking appearance. I'm uncertain about the Detroit engine being painted John Deere Green, but perhaps it wouldn’t look as good in the classic Alpine Green. Regardless, it works.

      “I’ve taken it to local pulling events, and it really turns heads when I start it and take it down the track. Everyone cheers for me,” Will shared with Farm Show Magazine.

      You can listen for yourself in this YouTube video from the TractorZoom channel:

      16V71-powered John Deere…just because!

      It’s true that it’s challenging to hear the crowd over the roar of the V16 engine. But one can take Will's word for it.

      "Johnzilla" made a splash at the Busch Light Pulling Nationals in Evansville, Indiana, recently. Just a few months prior, it generated plenty of excitement during its track debut:

      A John Deere with a 16V71 Detroit Diesel Tugboat Engine

      When Will revs the throttle, there’s no drama involved. Other sled-pullers burn rubber right off the line, reaching high RPMs as smoke and flames erupt from their exhaust stacks. In contrast, this tractor achieves its pulls just as successfully as any other without the same theatrics.

      That’s not to say it’s unexciting, of course. It’s simply a powerhouse that gets the job done. What an incredible piece of equipment.

      Have a tip or question for the writer? Reach out directly at: caleb@thedrive.com