[AT] Ford 8 N

[Mike Sloane]

The Ford N is a nice enough little tractor, but it has one limitation 
that can drive you nuts: the hydraulic pump is PTO driven, so you can 
only lift the hitch when the PTO is engaged, and you can only engage the 
PTO when the clutch is depressed. So using the Ford N with a brush 
cutter can be a frustrating chore. When I sold Woods cutters to 
customers with Ford N tractors, I would insist that they also buy an 
overrunning coupler. Otherwise the inertia of the blades would push the 
the tractor forward, even when the clutch was depressed. This usually 
isn't a problem when cutting in an open field, but can be one when 
heading for a fence row or barn. :-(

And a loader looks like a good idea, but it is very hard on the 
steering, and very hard to steer, unless you have a counterweight on the 
back.

Mike

Richard Fink Sr wrote:
> Thank you Carl it has the front bucket arrange meant on it that i don't 
> want. i want it for the 3 point rear for brush hog and post hole auger. 
> I did have a lot of post holes from a well that went dry but they were 
> to hard to move around.[he he]
> R Fink
> PA
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> At 09:46 AM 12/7/2004 -0500, you wrote:
> 
>> Mike Sloane wrote:
>>
>>> Hydraulic Lifters? The 8N has a flat head engine that was first used 
>>> in the 1939 9N. Hydraulic lifters weren't even dreamed of back then. 
>>> :-) It is pretty common for the lifters so wear out and not all that 
>>> hard to replace, once you remove the hood, manifold, head, etc. You 
>>> need to buy a pair of inexpensive special adjusting wrenches. And you 
>>> might think about replacing all of them if you go to all that trouble 
>>> (and check the valves out too). Just hope that you don't have to drop 
>>> the oil pan, as that required removing the front axle. Also, think 
>>> about joining the ATIS Ford-Ferguson list - there is at least on guy 
>>> who can get Ford parts for you at a pretty good discount.
>>>
>>> Mike
>>>
>>> Richard Fink Sr wrote:
>>>
>>>> I have a gentlemen that wants to sell me a Ford 8N. he says it is a 
>>>> 48 and needs a valve lifter. did they have lifters in them. hyd or 
>>>> solid. Thanks
>>>> R Fink
>>>> PA
>>>
>>>
>> Hi Richard;  Mike is right. They had solid tappets, then 
>> adjustable--adjustables are used in replacement.
>> Removing the front axle is not that big a deal if you have help-- but 
>> that's true of splitting any tractor.  Only thing with N's is that 
>> they are generally smaller...      One tip--on the early 8N's up to 
>> serial #216989, there are no replacement parts for steering sectors, 
>> and if the steering is really loose, it probably can't effectively be 
>> adjusted out.  After that SN, a better design was introduced.   If the 
>> hydraulics work ok, and all you need is motor work, it looks good.  
>> Parts are readily available for this 56 year old tractor.  Even from 
>> the Ford/NH dealer-- I just bought a muffler system last week-- pipe, 
>> muffler--one unit, for $22.95.   They don't ask for much and they work 
>> hard.
>> Carl in Vermont,  1949 8N, and a 1945 2N
>>
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> 
> 
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-- 
Mike Sloane
Allamuchy NJ
mikesloane at verizon.net
Images: <www.fotki.com/mikesloane>

The greatest of faults, I should say, is to be conscious of none. 
-Thomas Carlyle, writer (1795-1881)


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