First pics and news of the new Black Russian

The Black Russian Pulling Team from Lolland in Denmark are currently building a new Transmash V12 powered 5500lbs. / 2.5t Light Modified Tractor. After many years in the 7700lbs. / 3.5t Modified class, the Danish Team decided to built a new Tractor for the lighter Modified class. After the sell of their old Tractor without the engine, the guys started with the new project in October of 2017 in their workshop in Lolland. The new Black Russian receive a new homemade Domex wedge frame with a new self built steel rollcage, a Kirkey driver seat, a homemade steering, completely new constructed engine brackets, new homemade wheelie bars and a completely new sheet metal rear axle housing.
The front axle and the front wheels come from the old 6 cylinder DAF powered Light Modified Tractor called ´´Brothers Toy´´ from the Netherlands. The new rear axle housing was built by the Gladiator Pulling Team from Denmark.

The rear axle will have a Scania center section with a modified Scania diff, a Scania ring and pinion gear, homemade aluminium planetaries carrier housing with Mercedes planetaries and homemade aluminium brake calipers with laser cut brake discs.
The new fenders on the Light Modified Tractor were made off glass fibre. The fenders were also built by Gladiator Pulling Team and are much lighter than the old sheet metal fenders on the old Modified Tractor. The Danish Team will use on their new vehicle a set of used Midwest aluminium rims with old Firestone All Traction 10 Ply Puller tires.

Also completely new is the drivetrain of the Mod. The new drivetrain has a used special built reverser with a special built gearbox, a homemade driveline, a 11" inch Molinari centrifugal clutch with 4 discs and a new Browell aluminium clutch bell housing. The reverser and gearbox have a CNC-milled aluminium housing and come from the old Transmash V12 powered Light Modified Tractor called ''Another Russian Invader" of Herman Staal from Voorthuizen in the Netherlands. On the gearbox they can attach the starter for the engine. After the starting of the power plant they can take away the RCD starter on the gearbox. Without the starter for the engine they can save very useful weight on the Tractor for movable weight. 

The new Black Russian will have a turbocharged Transmash V12 tank engine on methanol fuel. The engine isn't new, the power plant was used before on the old 3.5t Mod in the past, but will receive some changes and little improvements.

The engine has a machined Transmash aluminium block with original sleeves, a Transmash crankshaft from a 6 cylinder engine, original steel rods and pistons, machined Transmash heads with bigger valves and better valve springs, homemade aluminium valve covers, stock camshafts, a homemade aluminium intake and stainless steel exhaust manifold, 2 Holset HC5A turbocharger, a special constructed camshaft belt drive, a Aviaid oil pump, a homemade fuel tank, a VSP (Veldhuizen Special Products) methanol fuel system with a Waterman fuel pump and a MSD 8 Dual Coil ignition. Some new parts like the belt drive for the camshaft of the power plant were also purchased from Herman Staal in the Netherlands.

But why they have chosen a crankshaft of a 6 cylinder engine?
The 6 cylinder crank fits into a 12 cylinder Transmash engine and has originally counterweights. With those counterweights on it, it's easier to balance the crank again on a balancing machine.

The Team construct and build the most of their parts himself. That's why project needs a little bit more time. For the future the Black Russian Pulling Team has planned to compete in the Danish Championship. The maiden run of the new Light Mod is planned for the 2019 season.