Ford8N/9N question

[caroline00]

we thought we had an 8N but it has 3 gears (speeds?) and we were told that that had to be a 9N because 8Ns dont have it...

The slowest speed is too fast for what we want to do. Is there an adaptaton we can make to get a lower gear?

Thanks

[SteveD(TX)]

You either have a 2N or 9N. The old N model Fords are often disliked because of the high speed first gear. Not much to do about it unless you want to spend megabucks.

Here's a site that can answer any and all questions about your tractor:

http://www.ytmag.com/nboard/wwwboard1.html

[Ford8N]

Originally Posted by caroline00

we thought we had an 8N but it has 3 gears (speeds?) and we were told that that had to be a 9N because 8Ns dont have it...

The slowest speed is too fast for what we want to do. Is there an adaptaton we can make to get a lower gear?

Thanks

What to you need to do that you need to go slower than first gear?

You may want to take look for a Sherman step-down trans for it. Here is some good info on it: http://home.att.net/~jmsmith45/sherman.htm

You would need to split the tractor in two in order to install it.

[Beeman]

As said a 2N or 9N had 3 spd trans. now that's not to say that you don't have an 8N with a different trans, are the brake levers both on the right or is one on each side?
All of this is a moot point as you have discovered one of the major downfalls of the gas powered n tractors. The speed was too fast from the day they made them which is why aftermarket companies like Sherman made step down auxillary transmissions for them. The non live hydraulics and the need for an overrun clutch on the PTO will be your next issues.

[Mountaineer]

I've also found first gear WAY too fast for plowing and would imagine it's too fast for anything else (brushcutter and WHY).
Afraid I'm burning out the clutch, I do spend a lot of time riding it to slow down some.
Aside from the expensive after-market gadgets- any other tricks to slow it a bit? I'm thinking operation "skills"?

[Bearfootfarm]

http://home.att.net/~jmsmith45/identify.htm

This explains the differences in the 8n's and 9n's

[Junkman]

I just sold my 1952 Ford 8N Tractor. It had 3 speeds and the first gear was too fast to do hillside mowing. Check the casting above the starter and it should tell you the tractor model. It was not good for mowing filth. But, I used it on level ground. If I was not careful, it would go sliding. There is nothing you can reasonably do to slow it down that I know of. I understand some came with a Sherman transmission with more gears that could be slowed down. I have a 62 John Deere and a 59 Massey. I used the Deere for mowing and baling and the Massey for raking and tedding. And both with the brush hog. You just can't be too careful on a tractor. And in WV we have lots of hills. Take care!

[rambler]

The Sherman step down (came in different flavors, step up/down as well) will cost, and adds a lever to the left side of your tractor in front of the clutch pedal, above. Some tractors have it, & the owners don't even realize it is there, might want to check. As this is an accessory, the manual won't mention it....

Here is the problem with the Sherman: Because the tractor does not have live pto, using the Sherman in low range _also_ slows down the pto! So, if you were doing something, like mowing grass, the mower would spin slower too. In short, the Sherman can sadd slower gears to your tractor, but only for jobs that don't use the pto.

There was a Howard step down as well, but these are rare, cost more. They will not affect the pto speed. They are a more involved install. Would be cheaper to trade your tractor for a good 660/661 or 860/861 Ford. The middle '6' means it has the good 5-speed tranny with live pto. Good tractors. The 600 series is a more modern N series, and the 800 series is basically the same tractor with a bigger badder engine.

Do NOT ever trust anyone to identify these tractors. Seems a lot of people have no clue. There was 9N, 2N, 8N, Jubilee/NAA, 600, 601, 2000, from the late 1930's through the 1960's. I've seen people mis-identify any one of those models for any other one. Silly. Learn where the serial/model numbers are, and make sure of what you are buying. The 600 series alone has 620, 630, 640, 650, 660 models all with different (important) options, and the 6x1 series added the 671 & 681 models with the $$$$ to repair automatic tranny, the Select-o-Speed.

More than you wanted to know....

--->Paul

[Beeman]

Another thing about early ford tractors. Since they are so old they have usually been repainted numerous times. 8N's were the only ones with red all of the others were solid gray. The easiest way to pass a 9 or 2N off as an 8N was to paint it.

[Ford8N]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

I've also found first gear WAY too fast for plowing and would imagine it's too fast for anything else (brushcutter and WHY).
Afraid I'm burning out the clutch, I do spend a lot of time riding it to slow down some.
Aside from the expensive after-market gadgets- any other tricks to slow it a bit? I'm thinking operation "skills"?

I plow in 2nd gear with my 8N with a 2 bottom Dearborn plow. Works great for me, even in clay soil. It took me a while to get the coulters set just right but now it works great. :baby04:

[Ford8N]

Originally Posted by Junkman

I just sold my 1952 Ford 8N Tractor. It had 3 speeds and the first gear was too fast to do hillside mowing. Check the casting above the starter and it should tell you the tractor model. It was not good for mowing filth. But, I used it on level ground. If I was not careful, it would go sliding. There is nothing you can reasonably do to slow it down that I know of. I understand some came with a Sherman transmission with more gears that could be slowed down. I have a 62 John Deere and a 59 Massey. I used the Deere for mowing and baling and the Massey for raking and tedding. And both with the brush hog. You just can't be too careful on a tractor. And in WV we have lots of hills. Take care!

If the 8N you sold had only three forward gears then the trans must have been out of a 2 or 9N as all 8Ns had four forward gears.

I mow on some pretty sleep slopes at my place without any problems. Perhaps you need a billy goat.

[HermitJohn]

I have same hassle with my old Allis WD. It was a matter of economizing by the factories. It has some crazy road gear (4th) that wouldnt be safe by any stretch of the imagination even if it had the power to pull it. Must of been cheaper than a compound first gear which would have been lot more useful. Plus plowing the back 40 is different than using it as a utility tractor in closer quarters with lot turning, backing, etc. Best thing if it bugs you is to get a later tractor with high/low range built into it. For what an old gas Ford will sell for around here, you can buy a later diesel with all kinds of advantages. I rarely use my WD anymore, instead use much friendlier MF65 diesel.

[fixer1958]

Originally Posted by HermitJohn

I have same hassle with my old Allis WD. It has some crazy road gear (4th) that wouldnt be safe by any stretch of the imagination even if it had the power to pull it..

Allis WD road speed in 4th is 16mph. I got one of those because it was about 1/3 the cost of a 8N or 9N and in my opinion a better tractor. I have my own issues with it also and 1st gear being one of them. I have access to a 6' tiller but can't use it because 1st ground speed is to fast.

[e.alleg]

I debated with these same issues myself for a long time. I bought a used large 20hp Hydrostatic garden tractor and rebuilt the engine. I have about $1500 into it and a few hours labor (hehe a lot of hours) and it will pull a trailer, mow the lawn, and pull a garden plow, 46" snow plow, and tiller with no problem. It will go 1/2 mph if need be and is easy to operate. I think a farm tractor like the 8n is overkill unless you have a large acreage to plow like 5+ just for crops, otherwise it's faster to use the tiller or a 1 bottom. 8n's don't have enough power to runa large brush hog either...

[Junkman]

Yep, could use a Billy Goat but that would defeat my purpose of baling hay. You see, we have beautiful hills and mountains. Thats why they call us "The Mountain State." Shucks, wouldn't live any place else. Cool breezes and lots of clear mountain water. Been around but the mountains keep calling me back.
I will stick to my Deere and Massey.

[Ford8N]

Originally Posted by e.alleg

8n's don't have enough power to runa large brush hog either...

You can tell by my screen name that I may be a little biased, but as long as your brush cutter is no larger than 5 ft. wide an 8N handles this task beautifully. I cut brush up to the top of my hood in 2nd gear and it certainly has the power to do it. Don't ever underestimate the little N's and Fergies.

[Bearfootfarm]

Originally Posted by Ford8N

You can tell by my screen name that I may be a little biased, but as long as your brush cutter is no larger than 5 ft. wide an 8N handles this task beautifully. I cut brush up to the top of my hood in 2nd gear and it certainly has the power to do it. Don't ever underestimate the little N's and Fergies.

I agree totally. I use a 54 NAA, which is very similar to the 8n and it will handle a bush hog quite well. Just keep those blades sharp. Youd have to go a LOT bigger to see any real difference in perfomance

[MelissaW]

I'm not the tractor person in the family, but if you want to know the exact model and year, I do have the serial number list, with years. 9N were produced between 1939 and 1942. The serial numbers go from 1 to 99002. 2N were produced between 1942 and 1947 with serial numbers between 99003-296131. 8N between 1947-1952 with serial numbers between 1 (must have started over) and 524076. 9N is 52 inches tall, while 8N is 54.5 (almost everything else is the same except rear tread). Thought I'd pass it along, just in case you need to know.

[rambler]

Originally Posted by Junkman

I just sold my 1952 Ford 8N Tractor. It had 3 speeds and the first gear was too fast to do hillside mowing.

That doesn't add up. The year is for an 8N, but the tranny is wrong. 8N's had 4-speeds.

An N should pull a plow fine, and one should not slip the clutch or you will burn it up.

A tiller is difficult to impossible with a 3-speed N, as is a snow blower.

The lack of a live pto or live hydraulics really handcuffs any options.

The geometry of the 3pt & rear end makes them slightly prone to flipping over backwards on the wrong conditions.

They sure were ahead of their time in the 1930's, very feature-rich with that 3pt & small size, big power for the size.

But that was 60+ years ago......

--->Paul