This is by far the best pulling interview that has ever been done!!! Thank you for the research that you’ve presented to us and the wonderful interview of Dave. I can’t wait for the next episodes with him.
Wow, thank you! It will be a little while until the next one comes out, but I have enough video content from him for two more videos actually and he was just as pleasant the whole time
This was the best interview/ storytelling video I’ve ever seen. The Banter Brothers were true legends, and innovators in the tractor pulling world. It’s sad to hear that Ralph passed, but I’m glad Dave is still with us, and it’s great he’s still pulling antique tractors. Looking forward to part 2!!!
just like backyard barn finds does with old school drag racers and stapleton42 does with old school cirlce track guys, you are keeping the memories and legacy of these old tractor pullers alive! thank you for doing what you do!
So glad I found this channel. Awesome work. Dave is the Richard Petty of tractor pulling. Richard would sign his autograph and said he didn't see it saying Richard Petty he saw saying thank you for buying a ticket because he understood just like Dave without the fans there would have never been tractor pulling like we know it. Great video thanks for making these videos
My pleasure, I'm so glad Dave took the time to sit down with me and help me with all of the information about your grandfather and videos from Dave's personal collection also, more to come too
@@robguysgarage5422 Can't wait! The Banter Bros are awesome people. Wish grandpa was around for you to interview him, he had the best personality and always made things fun, as you can see with Dave too :)
Looking well Mr.Banter, i only ever got to see yous at Twin Creeks in Inwood Ontario, standing at the end of the track 330 340 ft area when you made your pass was the coolest place on earth at that moment in time, thank you for the entertainment.
Yes. Only 1/2 hour away from Twin Creeks I had also seen them a few times at Bowling Green. I remember the year that it was really wet at Bowling Green and it was a very tough track. I don’t remember if it was Dave or Ralph who drove , but one of them walked down the track. Turned around and signalled to ram the throttle!! He pulled the farthest!! All the other pullers eased into the throttle. Didn’t go as far. They knew the track and how to nest take it on!
Wow! This interview is beyond belief. I especially liked the interspersed vintage videos showing the correct tractors Dave was telling you about at the time. Dave summed up his pulling career like I thought he might have.....giving the fans a show as a performer was important to him, at any cost. Thank you for all of your hard work and countless hours you spent to produce this content. Well done! TJ
I used to attend every Indy super pull event, this team was top notch, every year they had something outstandingly special. When they pulled inside the coliseum the vibration from their tractors would literally shake stuff off the rafters and beat your chest. Incredible entertainment from these guys, thanks for the memories and incredible videos
My Dad and I went also. In the early years they allowed us to buy tickets for the day that we wanted to attend. Later on they tried to make us purchase the entire weekend, which made it too expensive, so we never went back.
Thanks so much for doing this video and thanks to Dave for it as well. As a teenager I always loved seeing Mr Chevy flying past the 300 ft mark..The Banter Brothers are legends of pilling
In the early to mid 70's my Dad and I attended several Indy Super Pulls. I agree with Dave's characterization of trying to put on a good show. IIRC, he smoked as he staged his tractors at that time, his signal, to the officials, that he was ready to go was always flipping the cigarette off to the side. Then off he went. Great video, thx.
You're preserving history. Thanks for documenting this. The Banter Bros and Tim Engler dominated the unlimited modified class. Well done putting this together.
Thank you, that is exactly what I'm trying to do is get to these guys before they pass so we can hear their stories from the people themselves so that their memory is preserved, thanks for watching!
Ralph Banters grandson has taken an Allis Chalmers tractor that Ralph had converted into a lawn mower and made it into an antique pulling tractor. Starting to follow in grandpa’s shoes
@@robguysgarage5422 cool thanks.I always thought it was like an actor had a real name, and their TV name. Sounded like a pro wrestler name 😊 cool guy the voice of pulling, and early monster trucks.
Ah yes, the Banter Bros. pulled in southern NYS and northern Pennsylvania back in the late 70's, early 80's. Mr. Chevy with 6 engines very popular. Good interview, thanks for posting this article.
@@robguysgarage5422 when we started minirod pulling, our first blown motors was one of Ralph's 496 with an 8-71 supercharger (got it from a person who bought some of their stuff--Woody Woodword from New England area). During the video, the rocker covers brought back memories and I looked last night and still have a set from the motor plus one of the oil pumps and pan Gaerte used. That was a long time ago!!
@@jameswebb9996 that's really cool, I have 2 pictures that I scanned in at Dave's that day of early mini rods- I'll send them to you over Facebook since I don't think I can add them here
That was a great interview those guys are legends in tractor pulling as a kid i remember them they were the best thanks it was a lot of fun to hear them stories
A true legend right there.I grew up in the 80s with the honor of seeing this incredible Banter Bros team at Ft. Recovery and Bowling Green many times I attended with my dad who was a puller as well and got me hooked on tractor pulling. GOD bless David Banter
Fantastic Video of true legends in our motorsport! Great job Rob Guy's Garage! I remember watching them at Buck Tractor Pulls in the 70's with their single blown Banter Bros. Brown & Orange tractors throught the years and the multi engine rides later on. Last Time I seen them in person pulling was Ft. Recovery, Ohio early to mid 90's.
Thanks much, the thumbnail is my photo of them at The Buck, thank you for letting me use a few of your clips too. Part 2 is up also where we go through Dave's photo albums and memorabilia. Thanks for watching!
@@robguysgarage5422 yea watched part 2 last night. Another awesome video. Looking forward to #3. Also enjoyed Jaske's and the Blue Max videos. Keep up the great history work! You are welcome to any footage we have.
My god!! I saw those tractors at tarrant county indoor pulling shows in the late 70s as a kid!!! Wow I really want to thank you for doing this!!the memories of those tractor pulls have fueled my love for all things fast and loud.. if you have never been to an indoor pulling event, it’s something you never forget. Again thank you so much for taking the time to find and talk to the hero’s of my past
My pleasure, glad you enjoyed it, more Banter vids coming, although it will probably be about a month till I get the next one edited, thanks for watching
Thank you for putting this interview together. My dad always talked about these guys and we got the chance to pull with Ira in the Indiana tuggers for years. Dad would have loved to watch this!
I got to hang out with both Ira and Dave at an antique pull recently, both are super great guys, video of that coming at some point, thanks for watching
ah I remember the banter brothers at fort recovery, ambassador park for many years in the 1990's, they were who my cosin would cheer for, fun times lots of loud ground shaking power when those things run, neat to see at least one is still kicking.
I love what you’re doing. I remember seeing all these guys as a kid when I worked as tow tractor at twin creek grand nationals in Inwood, Ontario in the 80’s and 90’s
awesome video than you so much for seeking out Mr Banter and letting all of us old timer pulling fans see a true legend ! i hope you do another one with more icons of the sport , maybe Conner Bros the ones who perfected the alcohol super stock Thanks again !
I remember the Banter Bros well. Cable TV was becoming available in the midwest and you could access a lot of the tractor pulling events. The Banters were legendary! Great stuff!!
My first trip to Bowling Green was in 1974 and my favorite tractor as a small boy in those days was Lloyd McVey’s Super Banana. As I got older, my favorites became the Banter Bros. because they were 100% balls to the wall. They were definitely the most entertaining.
I loved this, fantastic content. It would be sweet if you actually found the tractor. I hope you decide to do other ones. I hear that Dave Snyder was going to sell the legend but didn’t and I would love to see you find the legend/green monster.
I actually had one of the early Cockshut rear ends built by Banter brothers before planetary rear end days. As far as I know it's still running in Kentucky and Tennessee as an economy hot rod tractor. Was being used on a two engine mod when I bought it to make an economy hot rod. Was a Cockshut rear end they had built custom axle housings to narrow it up. Was told Ralph Banter built the rear end, don't know if they actually used it or if they just built it for someone else but was told it had four engines on it originally.
I am from the Kalamazoo MI area. I grew up watching E.J. Potter Dominate Modified Tractor Pulling with his crude looing unpainted Tractors with Allison Aircraft 1710 Cubic In V-12 Super charged engines. It wasn't until the Banter Brothers showed up with 5 Blown Big Block Chevies showed up and beat E.J.. Potter. E.J. also had a W-24 which was two v-12's with a bellhousing that lined the two motors together with a chain I believe. I have 6 wheel drive FWD Trucks that have fragile front spindles that are always breaking. I spoke with Ralph Banter on the phone one time about having him build some stronger spindles for me. I guess I am a bit late on that now. I always wanted to make a Pilgrimage to Ithaca MI to talk to E.J. Potter too. It was not until after E.J. Potter had passed when I spoke to his daughter on the phone about purchasing the Michigan Madman Book and videos that I found out that E.J. Really enjoyed talking about Tractor pulling ect. At one time he had a barn full of Army Surplus V-12 engines. E.J. had a whole career drag racing Motorcycles with 327 Chevy V-8 Engines in them. He was a 3 time world record holder for 1/4 mile motor cycles. E.J. Put a V-12 in a Dodge Station wagon too. He drove it from the back seat.
Ira was just in my shop and I couldn't help but ask if he was a actual Banter brother and I'll be dammed he was 😂 many memories of my micro machines and truck and tractor power ❤ good times and definitely made today a good day in my book!
Sweet I always wanted to know what the Brothers were up too these days...RIP Ralph... I hope down the line if you could do one if she still around on Paula Geuin - Black Gold...
The stair stepped brown was sold to the Ferry Bros. They named it Mean, Rotten and Nasty. I have pictures of almost all, if not all of the Banter tractor's as I am from Warren IN and never missed a pull from the early 70's until they stopped pulling.
@@Ryan-nr7we I have the whole half hour video called Hidden Heroes which shows more of Ralph from Mr Banters own personal collection (he sent me his personal collection of dvd's). I'm currently putting them one by one onto my computer to release a youtube series of his collection- hopefully over the winter
I saw these guys pull once but my dad had been involved in pulling in his younger life. They lined up and when the green flag was out all of a sudden smoke started coming off one of the wheels. The rim had spun inside the tire. I remember thinking oh man I don’t know what they do now. My dad explained to me that these guys play hard ball. The two tractors were so similar that they could pull the parts off one to make the other one work. Sure enough they took the tire off the other one put it on that tractor then came back a couple of machines later and pulled. These guys were there to win.
The triple step Banter Brown was sold to Ferry Bros in Westport Mass. If I remember correctly Manny Ferry won the Unlimited class with it. I think it was the last time a triple won the unlimited at Indy.
Ralph was my cousin's grandpa, and i can remember one time going to there house after curch one sunday and being told not to play in the barn. So what did i do? I opened the barn door and there was one of the tractors i just remember being in awe over it and never seeing so many engines. Ralph was a neat guy and will be missed.
I have seen a few of your videos. I wonder do you remember BOSS BLUE ford pull tracter from the 80s the last time i seen the tracter it was owned by a trucking company in Saskatoon Saskachewan the company name is L.E.Matchett trucking or transport. I dont know if it ever competed in the USA. Pretty sure they did take it down south. It was a ford tracter running 1 engine then 2 last i saw 3 engines plus the had a lwn tracter with a ford 460 and super charger. I sure would like to see some coverage of the canadian pullers. Thank you😮
I don't remember the Boss blue and only found one picture of it so far, but the other Canadian puller I know of is the Canadian Warrior 4wd truck. Not sure when I would get to canada, but who knows it's possible someday, thanks for watching
great story behind the Banter brothers. I first see them on old YT video's years ago. Now here in the Netherlands we are very good . But old times rules. No such limits as today?
Hey, so good I watched it again. One question that came to mind. Why did Dave have left hand throttle? Don’t think he was left handed. Just wondering as most are right handed
Wow thank you, great catch, Mr Banter told us at dinner why he used to left hand throttle but I can't remember what he said, I will ask him, that's pretty much a sure way to spot a Banter tractor in earlier videos though
I have the Fox Tractor, with different frame rails. I bought it from Ralph. At the time I was going to put stair step Allison's on it. Ralph made me promise I would never tell anyone about the Allison's on one of his tractors and that he built the start step gear box.
Yes we found old brown, a guy in Pennsylvania has it and it was confirmed with pictures by Mr Banter, and I was just watching you win third at the 91 National farm machinery show
The two different ideas for The Fox were great in theory...but the reality seemed to be that physics wasn't working in their favor. Only tractor in that area running the unique seat setup that seemed to work was the Green Monster of Art Arfons.
@@robguysgarage5422 very true. by then the 5-7 engine setup became the norm, so it was all about weight placement, and engine torque. Look at how Tim Engler set up his...all except the center were transverse. Then Dave Walsh and his backwards setup on the left. That was a big era for trial-and-error.
I don't know if he ever hooked on Schaeffer's Sled Rental "Super Sled" the lime green one, that was motorized/self proppelled, but if he did, it makes my brief time riding on that sled in 2017 more special ( operator apprentice) After Schaeffer's sold it, NYTPA had it, then in the late 80's early 90s, Adirondack Tractor Pullers Association had it until it was put up for sale last year. Not sure where it is now. Was dark blue and called Sudden Impact by then. I know it was used at some legendary places! I got a bit nervous and never progressed past "stock" (my @$$) 9500 class.
@@robguysgarage5422 it was. Damn Ford 9600 draggin my @$$ 16.9mph down the track 338' feet. "Stock" Year later I ended up on Mic, our guy lost his voice. Stan our regular operator got took right up the jersey barriers at Plattsburgh by Chris Boulrice on a Pro Stock, thinkin "glad I wasn't on sled" and "How did I not drop an F Bomb live" 🤪
I know where and who has the Banter brothers brown tractor. It is in New Caslisle, Indiana and I talked to the guy that has it. He saw the video with Dave Banter and is going to get ahold of him and take to him about the tractor. That would make another good video for sure.
This is by far the best pulling interview that has ever been done!!! Thank you for the research that you’ve presented to us and the wonderful interview of Dave. I can’t wait for the next episodes with him.
Wow, thank you! It will be a little while until the next one comes out, but I have enough video content from him for two more videos actually and he was just as pleasant the whole time
This was the best interview/ storytelling video I’ve ever seen. The Banter Brothers were true legends, and innovators in the tractor pulling world. It’s sad to hear that Ralph passed, but I’m glad Dave is still with us, and it’s great he’s still pulling antique tractors. Looking forward to part 2!!!
Thank you so much, Dave is the best, great guy to be around, thanks for watching!
Amazing interview!! Not only a pulling legend but a great storyteller as well!!
Thank you, Dave is the best, more to come too
Hands down the best interview about tractor pulling I have seen. Dave Banter is a class act!!!!!!!
Thanks you very nuch, Mr Banter is the best, thanks for watching!
just like backyard barn finds does with old school drag racers and stapleton42 does with old school cirlce track guys, you are keeping the memories and legacy of these old tractor pullers alive! thank you for doing what you do!
My pleasure, I watch Stapleton too, thanks for the comment and watching the videos!
So glad I found this channel. Awesome work. Dave is the Richard Petty of tractor pulling. Richard would sign his autograph and said he didn't see it saying Richard Petty he saw saying thank you for buying a ticket because he understood just like Dave without the fans there would have never been tractor pulling like we know it. Great video thanks for making these videos
This is awesome. Thank you for honoring them! Ralph is my grandfather. The first job I ever had was working in the machine shop with him. :)
My pleasure, I'm so glad Dave took the time to sit down with me and help me with all of the information about your grandfather and videos from Dave's personal collection also, more to come too
@@robguysgarage5422 Can't wait! The Banter Bros are awesome people. Wish grandpa was around for you to interview him, he had the best personality and always made things fun, as you can see with Dave too :)
@@kristenfreiburger1000 yes wish he was around also, would have loved to have gotten to meet him
He’s my great great uncle
What a great man.
this is so awesome. i love hearing the stories of how a lot of these pullers came to be and how things were back in the day
Me too, thanks for watching!
Thanks for doing this. Growing up these were some of the larger than life guys.
Yes, same with me too, I was just very glad he was willing to sit down and spend some time and what a pleasure to be around
Awesome stuff! Thank you I’ve admired the Banter bros. For years
Same here! Thanks for watching!
True Showman!! Without the Spectators, there is no show!!
Dave loves the fans for sure, thanks for watching!
Great video!
Love the fact our Cockshutt was one of the pics! Thnx. We love pulling against Dave and Ira
Oh very cool, I took that picture last weekend and there will be video of Portland pull coming after a while, thanks for watching!
Most of the video credit goes to Dan Mayer at Pulling Reference and Pulling Reference Rewind
Looking well Mr.Banter, i only ever got to see yous at Twin Creeks in Inwood Ontario, standing at the end of the track 330 340 ft area when you made your pass was the coolest place on earth at that moment in time, thank you for the entertainment.
I'll make sure he gets this comment
Yes. Only 1/2 hour away from Twin Creeks I had also seen them a few times at Bowling Green. I remember the year that it was really wet at Bowling Green and it was a very tough track. I don’t remember if it was Dave or Ralph who drove , but one of them walked down the track. Turned around and signalled to ram the throttle!! He pulled the farthest!! All the other pullers eased into the throttle. Didn’t go as far.
They knew the track and how to nest take it on!
Great story, thank you
Wow! This interview is beyond belief. I especially liked the interspersed vintage videos showing the correct tractors Dave was telling you about at the time. Dave summed up his pulling career like I thought he might have.....giving the fans a show as a performer was important to him, at any cost. Thank you for all of your hard work and countless hours you spent to produce this content. Well done! TJ
Thanks so much, it took a long time to put together, part 2 is up also, thanks for watching!
@@robguysgarage5422 Excellent, saved for tomorrow night's viewing. Thanks and subscribed! TJ
Awesome thanks
I used to attend every Indy super pull event, this team was top notch, every year they had something outstandingly special. When they pulled inside the coliseum the vibration from their tractors would literally shake stuff off the rafters and beat your chest. Incredible entertainment from these guys, thanks for the memories and incredible videos
Great story, thanks for sharing and watching!
My Dad and I went also. In the early years they allowed us to buy tickets for the day that we wanted to attend. Later on they tried to make us purchase the entire weekend, which made it too expensive, so we never went back.
Great video. They were always my favorite modified pullers. I saw them pull a lot back in the day.
Thanks for watching!
This was awesome and listening to Dave was a joy. Amazing what these guys did.
Absolutely, I still can't get over the things they made and he's such a pleasure to be around too- thanks for watching!
Thanks so much for doing this video and thanks to Dave for it as well. As a teenager I always loved seeing Mr Chevy flying past the 300 ft mark..The Banter Brothers are legends of pilling
Yes they are, Dave is a great guy, thanks for watching!
The Banter Bros were my guys back in the day. This video bringing me right back to my youth and waiting for pulls to be on ESPN
Love this and thanks for watching!
In the early to mid 70's my Dad and I attended several Indy Super Pulls. I agree with Dave's characterization of trying to put on a good show. IIRC, he smoked as he staged his tractors at that time, his signal, to the officials, that he was ready to go was always flipping the cigarette off to the side. Then off he went.
Great video, thx.
Love this, he's a great guy, thanks for watching!
want to add my thanks for you and mr banter for doing this.This is tractor pulling gold
Thank you very much, he is definitely a great person to be around!
Dave was Always my Favorite growing up. Such a class act! Thank you for doin the interview and the leg work you are putting in.
My pleasure, I'm so glad these guys are willing to sit down and do these interviews, thanks for watching!
I first saw the Banter Brothers pull at the Indiana state fair in the late 70s. They were always very innovative. Great video!
Yes, great innovators, thanks for watching!
You're preserving history. Thanks for documenting this. The Banter Bros and Tim Engler dominated the unlimited modified class.
Well done putting this together.
Thank you, that is exactly what I'm trying to do is get to these guys before they pass so we can hear their stories from the people themselves so that their memory is preserved, thanks for watching!
I really enjoyed this. Thank you. Can't wait for part 2.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Ralph Banters grandson has taken an Allis Chalmers tractor that Ralph had converted into a lawn mower and made it into an antique pulling tractor. Starting to follow in grandpa’s shoes
Nice, Do you know which series he's pulling in?
Love the pullers from the good days. I was glued to Pulling Power magazine. Also listening to Army commentating.
Thanks for watching, I'm actually trying to see if Army would do this also
@@robguysgarage5422 Mr Armstrong was it his real name?
@@Carlos-r5n2b real first name is Aaron
@@robguysgarage5422 cool thanks.I always thought it was like an actor had a real name, and their TV name. Sounded like a pro wrestler name 😊 cool guy the voice of pulling, and early monster trucks.
@@Carlos-r5n2b agreed, working on getting him to do an interview too hopefully
Ah yes, the Banter Bros. pulled in southern NYS and northern Pennsylvania back in the late 70's, early 80's. Mr. Chevy with 6 engines very popular. Good interview, thanks for posting this article.
You bet, thanks for watching!
"I wouldn't let the crowd down...." The most poignant quote of the show relating to tractor pulling. Great hour plus of history. JW
I loved that too- he's a great guy, thanks for watching!
@@robguysgarage5422 when we started minirod pulling, our first blown motors was one of Ralph's 496 with an 8-71 supercharger (got it from a person who bought some of their stuff--Woody Woodword from New England area). During the video, the rocker covers brought back memories and I looked last night and still have a set from the motor plus one of the oil pumps and pan Gaerte used. That was a long time ago!!
@@jameswebb9996 that's really cool, I have 2 pictures that I scanned in at Dave's that day of early mini rods- I'll send them to you over Facebook since I don't think I can add them here
That was a great interview those guys are legends in tractor pulling as a kid i remember them they were the best thanks it was a lot of fun to hear them stories
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!
Great interview! I love the fact that you are recording and preserving pulling history.
Thanks much, more to come too
Thanks again for the great stories 👍
J. F.🇨🇦
You bet, thanks for watching!
A true legend right there.I grew up in the 80s with the honor of seeing this incredible Banter Bros team at Ft. Recovery and Bowling Green many times I attended with my dad who was a puller as well and got me hooked on tractor pulling. GOD bless David Banter
Amen! These guys are legends and need to be recognized for it, thanks for watching!
Great video!! Was a young boy when banters were in there prime. Sad to lose Ralph. But great interview with Dave
Thank you, Glad you enjoyed it
They are legends in the sport of pulling. RIP Ralph banter.
Absolutely!
Thanks for peserving the history of this sport I love ❤
Thanks man, more great stuff coming too, thanks for watching!
@@robguysgarage5422 I got some friends from Kansas City that are farmers and I will see if they can help find the tractor
We have it located, it was in PA, but apparently now back in IN
Fantastic Video of true legends in our motorsport! Great job Rob Guy's Garage! I remember watching them at Buck Tractor Pulls in the 70's with their single blown Banter Bros. Brown & Orange tractors throught the years and the multi engine rides later on. Last Time I seen them in person pulling was Ft. Recovery, Ohio early to mid 90's.
Thanks much, the thumbnail is my photo of them at The Buck, thank you for letting me use a few of your clips too. Part 2 is up also where we go through Dave's photo albums and memorabilia. Thanks for watching!
@@robguysgarage5422 yea watched part 2 last night. Another awesome video. Looking forward to #3. Also enjoyed Jaske's and the Blue Max videos. Keep up the great history work! You are welcome to any footage we have.
Awesome, thanks much!
This was amazing,tears to my eyes many times thank you
That's so cool, Dave is a great guy to be around, so glad he was willing to do this
I LOVE hearing about these adventures!!
Thanks bud, you're going to really love the next one coming up then
Thank you so much for making this video! I was wondering what happened to the Banter bros and found this video
So glad you liked it, they were true innovators, thanks for watching!
These guy.s were awesome back in the day.
Absolutely, it was incredible what they built
Thanks!
Thanks much! Glad you liked the video too, thanks for watching!
My god!! I saw those tractors at tarrant county indoor pulling shows in the late 70s as a kid!!! Wow I really want to thank you for doing this!!the memories of those tractor pulls have fueled my love for all things fast and loud.. if you have never been to an indoor pulling event, it’s something you never forget. Again thank you so much for taking the time to find and talk to the hero’s of my past
My pleasure, glad you enjoyed it, more Banter vids coming, although it will probably be about a month till I get the next one edited, thanks for watching
Thank you for putting this interview together. My dad always talked about these guys and we got the chance to pull with Ira in the Indiana tuggers for years. Dad would have loved to watch this!
I got to hang out with both Ira and Dave at an antique pull recently, both are super great guys, video of that coming at some point, thanks for watching
Great interview!
Thanks & thanks for watching
WOW! I stumbled across this video. Absolutely amazing!!! 👍🏼😁 Thank you very much!
Glad you enjoyed it!, thanks for watching!
I loved this video. What a trip down memory lane. Thank you!!
My pleasure, thanks for watching!
ah I remember the banter brothers at fort recovery, ambassador park for many years in the 1990's, they were who my cosin would cheer for, fun times lots of loud ground shaking power when those things run, neat to see at least one is still kicking.
Love these memories, thanks for watching!
I've been waiting for this one!!! Thanks
Thanks for watching, more to come with Dave too
Great job. Much appreciated
Thanks for watching!
What a very nicely done interview thank u
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!
Great interview. Watched them pull in Elkhorn and Tomah many times back in the day. Ralph was a mechanical genius.
Yes, it's amazing what he could do, thanks for watching!
I love what you’re doing. I remember seeing all these guys as a kid when I worked as tow tractor at twin creek grand nationals in Inwood, Ontario in the 80’s and 90’s
Thanks much, it's a pleasure to meet these guys and glad they're willing to tell some history and stories
What a great interview, and we got to hear the best motorsports announcer Steve Evens,
Thanks much, wish Steve was still around to interview too, but do have an announcer interview coming up, thanks for watching!
awesome video than you so much for seeking out Mr Banter and letting all of us old timer pulling fans see a true legend ! i hope you do another one with more icons of the sport , maybe Conner Bros the ones who perfected the alcohol super stock Thanks again !
Thanks for the Conner Bros suggestion, definetly more old schoolers coming
I remember the Banter Bros well. Cable TV was becoming available in the midwest and you could access a lot of the tractor pulling events. The Banters were legendary! Great stuff!!
Legends for sure, thanks for watching!
This is taking me back to my childhood watching my motorock monster madness vhs tapes!
Love that, more to come too, thanks for watching!
My first trip to Bowling Green was in 1974 and my favorite tractor as a small boy in those days was Lloyd McVey’s Super Banana. As I got older, my favorites became the Banter Bros. because they were 100% balls to the wall. They were definitely the most entertaining.
So cool, I remember the Super Banana, I'll have to see if that one is still around too, thanks for watching!
I loved this, fantastic content. It would be sweet if you actually found the tractor. I hope you decide to do other ones. I hear that Dave Snyder was going to sell the legend but didn’t and I would love to see you find the legend/green monster.
It's definetly on my list, thanks for watching!
I actually had one of the early Cockshut rear ends built by Banter brothers before planetary rear end days. As far as I know it's still running in Kentucky and Tennessee as an economy hot rod tractor. Was being used on a two engine mod when I bought it to make an economy hot rod. Was a Cockshut rear end they had built custom axle housings to narrow it up. Was told Ralph Banter built the rear end, don't know if they actually used it or if they just built it for someone else but was told it had four engines on it originally.
Very cool, those guys were amazing at what they built, thanks for watching!
I am from the Kalamazoo MI area. I grew up watching E.J. Potter Dominate Modified Tractor Pulling with his crude looing unpainted Tractors with Allison Aircraft 1710 Cubic In V-12 Super charged engines. It wasn't until the Banter Brothers showed up with 5 Blown Big Block Chevies showed up and beat E.J.. Potter. E.J. also had a W-24 which was two v-12's with a bellhousing that lined the two motors together with a chain I believe.
I have 6 wheel drive FWD Trucks that have fragile front spindles that are always breaking. I spoke with Ralph Banter on the phone one time about having him build some stronger spindles for me. I guess I am a bit late on that now.
I always wanted to make a Pilgrimage to Ithaca MI to talk to E.J. Potter too. It was not until after E.J. Potter had passed when I spoke to his daughter on the phone about purchasing the Michigan Madman Book and videos that I found out that E.J. Really enjoyed talking about Tractor pulling ect. At one time he had a barn full of Army Surplus V-12 engines.
E.J. had a whole career drag racing Motorcycles with 327 Chevy V-8 Engines in them. He was a 3 time world record holder for 1/4 mile motor cycles. E.J. Put a V-12 in a Dodge Station wagon too. He drove it from the back seat.
Thank you for that, EJ sounds like a great innovator also, I'll have to look more into his career, thanks for watching!
@@robguysgarage5422 E.J. Won a lot of Tractor Pulls before the Banter Brothers came up with 5 blown Chevys.
th-cam.com/video/SWgv_1DCNFg/w-d-xo.html
Aw man cant wait for part 2!!!!
Thank you!
@@robguysgarage5422 does anyone know were solid junk went. Also has anyone heard anything about Tom lindsay and built for business?
@@antone2tone sorry, haven't heard of where those might be yet
My dad pulled a twin crank to crank tractor in the 1970 allis Chalmers roar of power video!👍
Very cool! Thanks for watching
I graduated in 82 these boys really had her down pat I loved seeing a pull
Cool, thanks for watching
Thanks + Great video! John Shaul lives down the road from my family in upstate NY. Nice guy + I Always wanted to interview him.
He Is one I would like to interview also
fantastic job!!! Enjoyed this thoroughly!
Thanks much!
Id love for you to interview Ken Venney while he’s still around. Get the NHRA and tractor pulling stories
Yes he would be good to interview, any idea where he lives?
@@robguysgarage5422 Isn`t Ken Veney from Wadsworth, Ohio?
I found out that he is, thanks
Ira was just in my shop and I couldn't help but ask if he was a actual Banter brother and I'll be dammed he was 😂 many memories of my micro machines and truck and tractor power ❤ good times and definitely made today a good day in my book!
I will eventually have a video coming out of him and Dave pulling their antiques these days
Sweet I always wanted to know what the Brothers were up too these days...RIP Ralph... I hope down the line if you could do one if she still around on Paula Geuin - Black Gold...
Working on that one for sure, thanks for watching!
The stair stepped brown was sold to the Ferry Bros. They named it Mean, Rotten and Nasty. I have pictures of almost all, if not all of the Banter tractor's as I am from Warren IN and never missed a pull from the early 70's until they stopped pulling.
Great info, thanks for watching!
Great video, Where can I find the behind power trax full video (20:53)with Ralph?
th-cam.com/video/gnp72Kdzt8U/w-d-xo.html&pp=ygUfcHVsbGluZyByZWZlcmVuY2UgODcgbG91aXN2aWxsZQ%3D%3D at the 9:35 mark
@@robguysgarage5422 cool thanks! What about some of the other footage of Ralph making gears and what not
@@Ryan-nr7we I have the whole half hour video called Hidden Heroes which shows more of Ralph from Mr Banters own personal collection (he sent me his personal collection of dvd's). I'm currently putting them one by one onto my computer to release a youtube series of his collection- hopefully over the winter
I saw these guys pull once but my dad had been involved in pulling in his younger life. They lined up and when the green flag was out all of a sudden smoke started coming off one of the wheels. The rim had spun inside the tire. I remember thinking oh man I don’t know what they do now. My dad explained to me that these guys play hard ball. The two tractors were so similar that they could pull the parts off one to make the other one work. Sure enough they took the tire off the other one put it on that tractor then came back a couple of machines later and pulled. These guys were there to win.
Yup, great story, and they built these machines themselves, thanks for watching!
The triple step Banter Brown was sold to Ferry Bros in Westport Mass. If I remember correctly Manny Ferry won the Unlimited class with it. I think it was the last time a triple won the unlimited at Indy.
apparently it's in PA, and Mr Banter has confirmed that recently, thanks for watching!
They were my hero’s when I was a kid
Dave is a great guy, and a great story teller, thanks for watching!
Remember watching him and his Mr. Chevy tractor at Bristol Motor Speedway the use to have NTPA Red Man series there on pit road in the 80's
Ralph was my cousin's grandpa, and i can remember one time going to there house after curch one sunday and being told not to play in the barn. So what did i do? I opened the barn door and there was one of the tractors i just remember being in awe over it and never seeing so many engines. Ralph was a neat guy and will be missed.
Great story, thanks for sharing and watching!
What about Art Arfons Green Monster I know he had since passed but is his jet powerd pulling tractor and 2w funny car puller still around?
A guy named Dave Snyder has the green monster last I heard, and Dusty and Tim are high on my list too, thanks for watching!
Have you done an episode on Art Arfrons and Dragon lady and if so what happened to it?
Not yet, hopefully next year, thanks for watching!
I have seen a few of your videos.
I wonder do you remember BOSS BLUE ford pull tracter from the 80s the last time i seen the tracter it was owned by a trucking company in Saskatoon Saskachewan the company name is L.E.Matchett trucking or transport.
I dont know if it ever competed in the USA.
Pretty sure they did take it down south.
It was a ford tracter running 1 engine then 2 last i saw 3 engines plus the had a lwn tracter with a ford 460 and super charger.
I sure would like to see some coverage of the canadian pullers.
Thank you😮
I don't remember the Boss blue and only found one picture of it so far, but the other Canadian puller I know of is the Canadian Warrior 4wd truck. Not sure when I would get to canada, but who knows it's possible someday, thanks for watching
I have never heard engines sound so in tune as there’s was
They're the best, thanks for watching!
great story behind the Banter brothers. I first see them on old YT video's years ago. Now here in the Netherlands we are very good . But old times rules. No such limits as today?
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!
I still have a few of my banter micro machine tractors. I'd love to put them In a signed case.
I can make that happen for you, send me a message on Facebook or an email to
robguy01@sbcglobal.net
always wondered what happened to my favorite pulling truck the Battle Ax
It is still pulling today in iowa, it's on my list too, thanks for watching!
Excellent, thx
Glad you liked it!, thanks for watching
Watched hip pull in the 1980's at the Hampton Coliseum in VA.
Thanks for watching!
🎉 Happy Birthday ROBGUY🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Thank you!
Hey, so good I watched it again. One question that came to mind. Why did Dave have left hand throttle? Don’t think he was left handed. Just wondering as most are right handed
Wow thank you, great catch, Mr Banter told us at dinner why he used to left hand throttle but I can't remember what he said, I will ask him, that's pretty much a sure way to spot a Banter tractor in earlier videos though
I have the Fox Tractor, with different frame rails. I bought it from Ralph. At the time I was going to put stair step Allison's on it. Ralph made me promise I would never tell anyone about the Allison's on one of his tractors and that he built the start step gear box.
Wow nice, would love to see that sometime
@robguysgarage5422 did you find brown? I might know where brown is or at least was several yrs ago.
Fox is for sale.
Yes we found old brown, a guy in Pennsylvania has it and it was confirmed with pictures by Mr Banter, and I was just watching you win third at the 91 National farm machinery show
I hope someone can answer this did the Banter brothers help form the ntpa
He never really said
The John force of tractor pulling
Perfect ananolgy!
I live in Bowling Green the banner Brothers was the ones to watch
Thanks for watching!
Watched the Banter Brothers pull at fishersville Va.
Great memories, thanks for watching!
There was a Desoto with a Firedome Hemi in the brush at my neighbors. Might be gone now.
Go get it 😀
You got something going here, my friend. Track down the older generation of pullers and get their stories before its too late.
Yes, that is exactly what my goal is, we need these guys and ladies stories before they pass, thanks for watching!
think sometime I heard about a SECRET tire cutting machine
LOVE to see pic in part 2
Ok, I'll see if I can dig up a picture of that
When did you do this interview?
About 5 weeks ago
The two different ideas for The Fox were great in theory...but the reality seemed to be that physics wasn't working in their favor. Only tractor in that area running the unique seat setup that seemed to work was the Green Monster of Art Arfons.
I admire them trying things even if it didn't work
@@robguysgarage5422 very true. by then the 5-7 engine setup became the norm, so it was all about weight placement, and engine torque. Look at how Tim Engler set up his...all except the center were transverse. Then Dave Walsh and his backwards setup on the left. That was a big era for trial-and-error.
@@dwp139 I gotta get to the Walsh's too and hear their story
I don't know if he ever hooked on Schaeffer's Sled Rental "Super Sled" the lime green one, that was motorized/self proppelled, but if he did, it makes my brief time riding on that sled in 2017 more special ( operator apprentice) After Schaeffer's sold it, NYTPA had it, then in the late 80's early 90s, Adirondack Tractor Pullers Association had it until it was put up for sale last year. Not sure where it is now. Was dark blue and called Sudden Impact by then. I know it was used at some legendary places! I got a bit nervous and never progressed past "stock" (my @$$) 9500 class.
It just be crazy to ride on the sled
@@robguysgarage5422 it was. Damn Ford 9600 draggin my @$$ 16.9mph down the track 338' feet. "Stock"
Year later I ended up on Mic, our guy lost his voice. Stan our regular operator got took right up the jersey barriers at Plattsburgh by Chris Boulrice on a Pro Stock, thinkin "glad I wasn't on sled" and "How did I not drop an F Bomb live" 🤪
LOL, great story, probably why they went to the cab in the center rear of the sled
I know where and who has the Banter brothers brown tractor. It is in New Caslisle, Indiana and I talked to the guy that has it. He saw the video with Dave Banter and is going to get ahold of him and take to him about the tractor. That would make another good video for sure.
Sounds great, thanks for watching!