★☆ 2023 BUILD-OFF RULES ☆★

#Buildoff2023

What is the ATLTF Build-off?  It is a fun competition for the members of ATLTF to modify a garden tractor, lawn tractor or riding mower into something a rough, tough, sexy machine in 11 months.  Then the members get to vote for their favorite!  We do have a base set of rules to keep the playing field level and fair for all the members of any skill set to have fun!  Reminder, we have members 13 and older.  We would like to keep it fun for all!

Read on to learn the rules and how to enter!  
**THE RULES HAVE UPDATED for 2023**

ATLTF 9th year Build-Off Competition Rules

- Qualifying Builds -

1.) Must be a small, personal-transportation type vehicle, capable of carrying operator, and not more than one additional passenger.

2.) Must be self-propelled.

3.) Must be powered by a small "OPE" (Outdoor Power Equipment) type engine. Generally:

• One to two cylinders, 
  
• 2 or 4 stroke, 
  
• Gasoline or diesel, 
  
• Air cooled; water cooled (some OPE's have water cooled engines)
  
• Horizontal or vertical crankshaft 
  
• Derived from: lawn mowers, leaf blowers, lawn/yard/garden tractors, pressure washers, portable generators, tillers, cement mixers, weed-eaters, leaf mulchers/ vacuums, water/ trash pumps. *Additionally, more than one qualifying engine may be used. 2022 we did allow ATV style engines, but that was just a 2022 modification.
  

...3.1) Electric powered machines will be considered by-basis, so long it complies with all other rules.

4.) Framing requirements.

• No automobile, truck, SUV, etc. chassis
  
• No ATV chassis
  
• No "Compact Tractor" chassis from larger homestead+ tractors allowed. 
  
• Passable examples are: Lawn tractor, yard tractor, garden tractor and mini chassis’, stock or modified. Custom-built chassis are allowed provided the end result will be resemblant of a lawn or garden tractor chassis. Specifically, ladder, tunnel, or pan-style. No space frames, or frames made primarily from tubing that are resemblant to go karts, rock crawlers/ bouncers, etc.  (Tube skeletons for bracing and exoskeletons are permitted upon approval.  Must "wrap" a portion of the tractor or strengthen the lawn tractor frame. Not replace a portion of the tractor.) Scabbing in framing parts of an ATV frame not allowed.  Using parts such as suspension components is approved as long as it does not take away from the tractor frame/appearance.  Example, welding the front of an ATV frame to a tractor frame is not allowed.  Fabricating and attaching independent suspension from an atv is OK. 
  

5.) Must run on any number of wheels, tracks, skis, or any combination of these, limited by the following constraint: A minimum of 3 points of contact must be made with the ground, a minimum of two if vehicle is "tracked". Points of contact are defined as wheels, tracks, or skis. Wheels cannot be configured in an inline pattern similar to a "cycle".

6.) Sheet-metal and bodywork is open; however, the end result MUST be resemblant of a tractor in some aspect. Micro-cars, cycles, rock crawlers/ bouncers, space bodies, etc. are not permitted.

7.) Must be "complete" by deadline date. The purpose of this rule is not only to define completeness for the contest, but to help ensure safety. Paint and related aesthetic touches are not mandatory to qualify as "complete" but may affect voting. For clarification, "Remote" specifically means "The ability to operate without touching engine". For our purposes, "complete" means: 

• Starts, 
  
• Runs
  
• Drives under its own power. 
  
• Throttle must be installed and operable remotely (without operator touching engine). 
  
• Kill switch must be installed and operable without operator touching engine. 
  
• Engine must start with a switch of some type or be pull-start. 
  
• Braking system must be installed and functional. 
  
• Steering system must be installed and functional. 
  

8.) Must NOT be more than 75% completed prior to the official start date. Previously entered builds can be used as long as 25% or more work from the previous competition is needed.  (These builds will be closely monitored) NEW BUILDS ARE WELCOME TOO!  Lightly modified builds for the contest will not qualify. As part of qualification, contest entrants will post a picture of the major parts source(s), including a physical sign showing the commencement date and password. Completeness will be defined by your write-up of what is to be done and by seeing your parts in photos. Didn't get far in a previous build-off, reenter if you still got some work to do!  While 25% can be subjective, please be more than just a repaint or assembly.  This is 25% modifications needed.  We'd like to see you put some build effort into it!

9.) Entry must be built by the entrant. A team of more than one can enter and build a machine. Those instances, the team would have to share or split any potential winnings should they win.  No contracting "hiring out" parts of the entry to be "built" by someone else.  It is OK, to purchase "over the counter parts" for your entry.

Entries and finalized builds are screened by the administration and we reserve the right to decline entries/ finalized builds if we feel they are not observant or compliant to the rules as stated above. 


- Competition Details -

The Build-Off commences January 1st. You may NOT start building until the official start announcement on that date, but you MAY plan and collect parts until that time. The official start announcement will contain a PASSWORD. Entrants MUST start a build thread in the [Build-Off Entries] forum and post a photo of their main parts pile that contains a physical sign bearing "ATLTF 2023 Build-Off", your username, the date, and the password for the build-off in the same photo.  The sign can be hand written or printed, but the password MUST BE HAND WRITTEN.  Also, make sure the sign is clear and readable in your photo.  The entry period runs from January 1 to October 31st.  The Build-Off ends November 30th at 11:59PM. Any project that is NOT completed or compliant to the rules stated above upon the official finish announcement on that date will not qualify for judging and subsequently winning (see official contest rule "7" for definition of "complete").  Bad time management by the entrant does not grant an extension.  Should an emergency happen, (provable) we may extend not more than a week.  Beyond that unfortunately DNF will have to be taken. Builder should post as many details of build as possible, including parts sources/origin, design elements and difficulties, specifications, gear ratios, etc.

- Entrants -

1.) Must hold a valid ATLTF membership in good standing.
2.) May Join ATLTF in order to qualify for contest entry.
3.) Must maintain their ATLTF membership status in good standing for the entire duration of the contest.
4.) May enter more than one project for the competition.

- Probation -


Builds that have not updated since creation, or 3 months no update will go into a "Build Probation" folder for not following the rules.


Entrants MUST update their thread at least MONTHLY detailing progress, with either write-ups, videos and/or photos. (Posting "Nothing done" is an update)


Criteria for Probation:
1 Month no update by "Entrant"- Asked to Update
2 Months no update by "Entrant - Warning given
3 Months no update by "Entrant - Moved to Probation


Builds still in this "Probation" folder at the end of the build-off will automatically be deemed "Disqualified/DNF!" To have your build removed from Probation, you will need to petition the Admin Team to have it taken back out no later than November 15. Contact link is on the bottom of any ATLTF.COM page.

- Completion -

Upon completion, builder MUST post a video of completed build, consisting of a walk-around and operation to demonstrate function and capabilities. The video must be hosted on a site that will allow the video to be shared in your post, such as YouTube. Builders should also make a post saying that build is completed, or risk build not qualifying. If for some reason you are not able to shoot or post this video, you MUST contact a forum administrator to closely scrutinize your build to determine eligibility BEFORE the competition closes.

In the event of a tie, winner will be determined by a panel of judges. There was indeed a tie for 2nd in 2015, in which the admin staff voted.


- Competition Specifications -

Competition Start date: January 1
Competition End date: November 30 @ 6PM Central Time

Entry start date: January 1
New Entry close date: October 31
Probation Removal close date: November 15

Voting will begin promptly after reviewing entrants for completeness. (No more than 1 week)

Terms:

Space Frame: Consisting of mainly tubes or small diameter materials. Like an atv or buggie.
Space Body: Consisting of mainly tubes or small diameter materials, with no supporting sheet metal.
Remote: Device that activates objects without direct contact.


- Voting -

Any ATLTF member may vote for their favorite build in full confidentiality. 

We will be repeating what we did in the past couple years where new accounts will be temporarily suspended from being approved to prevent account bolstering. So, if you plan on participating in voting, pull up a chair and join us here.