Find out how the Peak Vale Sledge was built...
December 2006...the day before Christmas Eve. This was the start of Peak Vale Tractor Pulling. Neil cuts off the roof and headboard of a 40' curtain sided trailer...
After Christmas and once we had a flat trailer, we cut out the floor boards behind the rear axle and fitted this ex-New Holland Combine engine. This engine powers the compressor and the sledge hydraulics.
Neil trying to look busy! I'm not sure what I was cutting out...but it looks pretty impressive! The two pieces of box section resting on the drum formed the arms that support the pan.

Matt's measuring motto...

"close enough for agriculture"

...it seemed to work quite well throughout the build!  
Another one of Matt's favourite positions....lying on the pan. Not the best place to be welding all day!
The front trailer axle was removed and replaced with a Eaton drive-axle and a Ford Cargo fly-wheel. This was mounted to the prop-shaft flange. The bell housing to carry a Ford Cargo gear box and clutch was also fitted. This drove the Cargo winch axle. The axle is being winched into position at this point...
The next important part of the build was providing the operater of the sledge with clear and safe view of the sledge and pulling tractors. This was then fitted to the rear of the trailer, above the engine. 
Matt manages to locate an old molasses tank, which we cut down and made it into our weight box. Gemma, Matt's wife, then sandblasted it one Saturday afternoon. This was mounted on a frame on the sledge and was then filled with 4.5 tonnes of concrete!
This is the view from the cab with the weight box in its furthest position. The sledge was now ready for its first outing... Wollaton Park, Nottingham
'Redline Frenzy'
Astwood Bank, Redditch
'Sarah Jane'
Wollaton Park, Nottingham
After success at Wollaton and then Redditch we decided to sand blast the sledge and give it a coat of paint...Matt got the job, whilst I made hay (still had the day job!)

The sledge has now been named...'The Stinger'.

A huge thank you to everyone who has helped to build the sledge and those who continue to help with its maintenance and operation...

The sledge has been modified further over this Winter and a whole range of new safety features have been added...watch this space for the big unveiling!