[AT] Ford 8 N

Wed Dec 8 11:27:10 PST 2004

Allis tractors have the non-live PTO and have the "problem" of the brush 
cutter pushing the tractor.  I put " " around problem because I don't find 
it to be a problem.  I guess maybe I'm biased because I've been driving one 
of those tractors since 1959 but it really isn't much problem once you get 
used to it.  If you have good brakes on the tractor it is easy to get into 
the habit of pushing in the clutch petal and both brake petals when you stop 
mowing.  The mower will try to push the tractor but the brakes will wow it 
down in a couple of feet and have the advantage of acting as a transmission 
brake.  That way when you do get it stoped you can change gears without 
grinding them (which is another "problem" with the same tractors).

I tried an over running clutch after many years of doing without one and 
found it to be annoying as I could not use the brake to stop the brush 
cutter blades and had to sit and wait for it to coast down before I could 
get off to work on it, drive across something I didn't want to cut  up, etc.

Charlie

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rob Gray" <Robgray at epix.net>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 7:26 AM
Subject: Re: [AT] Ford 8 N

> The tractor I use for all my tractor chores is a 1952 8N. I find that the 
> issue with the mower driving the tractor is more of a problem with a brush 
> hog type rotary mower. A finishing mower with its lighter blades does not 
> seem to have as much force to propel the tractor much.
>
> Rob
> NE PA
>
>
> Mike Sloane wrote:
>
>> 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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>>
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