Bought my 49 8N from Alabama to northern Illinois (near WI border) 6 years ago in early March. When I got home, she would not move (roll) to get her off my trailer. In neutral, parking brake off. I called an old timer who asked me what the temperature was in Alabama when loaded her and left. 58 degrees. What is the temperature in Illinois when I tried to unload the old Ford? 20 degrees. He said wait until it was warmer out. Thought he was pulling my leg. After 2 days with the temperature at 40 degrees, she rolled right off the trailer. Then the older gentleman said to drain the hydraulic fluid (same fluid for both the tranny and h-pump). Over 1.5 gallons of water came out first. Yep. Tractor probably ran like that for decades in Alabama but it turned into a big chunk of gear-stopping ice. Water apparently likes to run down the shifter plus moisture in the air equals water where it ain’t supposed to be!
You my friend are the real deal as far as a mechanic is concerned, very informative video, thanks so much for posting, I now have the confidence to work on my 1951 8 n, wish me luck I’ll be turning 81 on 28 dec.
This repair was exceptionally well presented. No minor items or warnings were left unsaid. Plan to follow your techniques on a '52 n I just acquired where the 3 point does nothing. And I fully agree that if your pump isn't working, start with the top lid instead of dropping the pump first. Most times the needed repair exists in the top area.
You forgot to mention that you were installing the upgraded lift piston in place of the old one that used steel rings. Also, you left out the 2 small paper washers that went on the 2 front bolts for the lift cylinder.
I bought an old 8n everthing worked but had a lot of water in the trans oil....changed that out and drove it for 10 more years growing pumkins to sell in October. Loved that tractor. Sold it when i sold the property and house it took care of for those years. Its still there but not sure the new owner knows how to keep it running.
Often rain water drips in from shift lever boot missing and water settles to bottom of sump and freezes solid the pump breaks if cranked with ice in it.
Ok so this is interesting, but due to the unique characteristics of the tractor there is a special fluid for the differential. Ford used a 90wt mineral oil. Apparently the unique requirements relating to the brass in the pump (or so I’ve read), and the pressure on the ring gear makes utf too thin and regular 80w90 fast wearing. I’ve bought some from running but I have seen it online at tractor supply under the traveller brand. The key word is mineral if you are searching for it. Great video!
Iv bought and sold a many 8N i try to stick with the side mount distributor my number 26 - 8N was bought in Morton Illinois Barn fresh original paint not much left a buddy rebuilds them I'm gathering extra parts odds and ends it has the Sherman Combo given it 12 forward and 3 reverse gears can't wait to bushog in creeper in 2nd with the mower powers up twice as slow n strong thanks for the knowledge and experience you showed
Thank you so much for this video. My tractor has the problem of the three point not staying up. So now I know how to fix that problem. Much easier than I was dreading it to be. Take Care
loved it I have done that many times I bought a 500lb chain fall and put on my hoist lt sure save steps you can guide the rod in and lower the at the same time alone thanks good video.
I think it’s the Piston. I don’t think the oil should be pushing out when the piston is leaking and is not functioning. My best to you regarding success with the hydraulics.
I held mine up by hands while my wife went to kitchen to get a rag . 5 minutes later I was wondering where she went, I sat it down and went to see where she went. It seems as she was going down handicap ramp she noticed her flowers around the side of house started blooming forgetting all about what I was doing.and went to look at them.
My 1946 9N has a hi and low transmission shift right by that small inspection cover. Guy I used to work with had a commercial 4 wheel drive 9N that belonged to his daddy none of the guys who worked on tractors for 60 years or more had never seen one and of course he would not sell it.
You actually have a pretty rare howard gear reduction transmission. They are pretty slick units but are susceptible to damage when under high loads. as they only reduce the wheel speed, lots of people have ruined them thinking it's a Low Low gear and try pulling something way to heavy like a stump and snapping them. Worth a good bit on ebay!
Viewers when I started out as Apprentice I was told only to start tractor from seat , never from side .About 6 months before I started in that shop a young Tradesman did a start up while standing on side and tractor was in gear ,fired up and ran straight over him and killed him .
You are correct it is very dangerous to start a tractor from the side because your between the wheels and if its in gear you'll probably be ram over. Fortunately ive done this many years and hasnt happened to me. But im pretty safety conscious (though it may not look it) i check multiple times tractors in neutral before start if ill be next to it. To the point if its an unfamiliar tractor i will roll it in neutral to ensure its not stuck in a gear without me knowing. But yes very good tip.
Very good video. I have a '49 8n tractor. The 3-point hitch works, but the position control won't hold height, keeps going down. Any idea what I might check?
Yes you draft control is on. There should be a small lever under your seat on the right side make sure it's in the up position. If that doesn't work u have a linkage issue on the top lid
When the same thing happened to my neighbors 8n I thought that he had the top link adjusted too short which let the lift arms slam all the way down when he was using his back blade! I assumed that was causing piston to slam against end of hydraulic cylinder?
On the narritive of the bolts being different lengths, take a marker and label each bolt with a number, and draw a diagram on paper, or list the number on the top plate where the bolts go. Do your homework now, and save so much grief later.
@@LeatherHeadGarage Oh, I like that tip as well, using a piece of corregated cardboard that resembles the head, and puch the bolts into their respective positions for the head.
The position control lever is in the upper position. PTO is engaged, 3 point hitch comes up, but as soon as you lower the quadrant level and inch, the 3 point hitch goes to the ground?
You are correct but i believe it's the other' way around. When the draft control is in the down position it that's what it should do. In the up position your 3 point lever should control height off ground. If your tractors still doing that with draft control in the up position you more than likely just have a linkage problem
Condensation more than likely going through hot and cold cycles as weather changes. Also some leak around the shifter. I'm not sure your question on the n8 n6. I'm assuming your asking about the difference between the For N series's. There is an 2n 9n and 8n. 9n was the first one built in 1939, they moved to the 2n in 1942 during ww2 because of limited availability of materials it had less options. Then they went to the 8n in 1947 after ww2 which was basically an updated version of the 9n with a different transmission with 4 instead of 3 gears.
New to a Ford 8N tractor. Have a brush hog, and when I raise the PTO to park it with the bush raised to park it, after several hours the brush hog goes all the way down to the ground. I have to put 6x6 thick wood under the brush hog when I park it to keep it from lowering to the ground. My question is , should the PTO keep the brush hog up high when I turn the tractor off? Or is there something wrong with the hydraulic system or is it just me?
That's pretty normal the hydraulic piston is just slowly leaking down. If you want to fix the issue u gatta pull the lid and replace the piston and rings
Hey I got my top lid tore apart and gaskets will be a few weeks out. Just wondering where piston/cylinder assembly bolts to the top lid if I can use RTV instead of a gasket. My hydraulics were froze in the up position. With pro engaged the arms would lift and once they hit the top would continue to try and lift making the engine load up. Honed my cylinder as it was rusty from water mixed in the oil. Really hoping that was my issue and I never overlooked anything
That’s a good question, I’m not sure what the factory specs are on if that can be sealed with RTV or not. I think the best option would be the gasket obviously, but I see no reason why it couldn't be sealed with RTV. As for the engine loading down with the lever in the up position. I believe your linkage is off or more than likely your lift control lever is bent so when ur in full up position it's still putting pressure on ur hydraulic pump telling it to keep pumping fluid. With the inspection cover off before u refill it exercises your position lever and make sure that's not the case. Also check the measurements I talked about in the video. If you need more help check back
I pulled the head offof my "51 8N, had it ground flat and smooth, added a new head gasket, and rebolted the head to proper torque. Eventually, maybe two years later, I got aa ticking noise that appears on the right side of the block by the #4 sparkplug, in that corner. At least when I put a piece of black pipe there, and bring my ear to the other end, I hear it the loudest at that corner. I retorqued it but no bolts could be tightened much more to stop the noise. Why there, and what could I have done wrong?
So all my life, our 1948 8n has had the draft control lever pushed down. At least 50 years now. I grew up assuming it was supposed to be down. Can you explain this more?? We have a belly mount sickle bar mower attached, is this the reason?
I would assume it would still be up in your case but I'm no expert on sickle mowers. 2 short explanations with the lever up u have full range control up and down, with the lever down as soon as u pass 1in or so from the top on your 3 point control the attachment will lower all the way to the ground. 2nd explanation lever up you are controlling your attachments height off ground with ur 3 point lever, lever down u are controlling your attachments depth in ground with ur 3 point lever. Hope that makes since
Never end your sentence with a preposition ! ( Without preposition . . . Where do you get your parts ? ) Like where did you get your hat at ? ( Without preposition. . . . . Where did you get your hat ? )
loved it I have done that many times I bought a 500lb chain fall and put on my hoist lt sure save steps you can guide the rod in and lower the at the same time alone thanks good video.
When the same thing happened to my neighbors 8n I thought that he had the top link adjusted too short which let the lift arms slam all the way down when he was using his back blade! I assumed that was causing piston to slam against end of hydraulic cylinder?
When the same thing happened to my neighbors 8n I thought that he had the top link adjusted too short which let the lift arms slam all the way down when he was using his back blade! I assumed that was causing piston to slam against end of hydraulic cylinder?
When the same thing happened to my neighbors 8n I thought that he had the top link adjusted too short which let the lift arms slam all the way down when he was using his back blade! I assumed that was causing piston to slam against end of hydraulic cylinder?
Bought my 49 8N from Alabama to northern Illinois (near WI border) 6 years ago in early March. When I got home, she would not move (roll) to get her off my trailer. In neutral, parking brake off. I called an old timer who asked me what the temperature was in Alabama when loaded her and left. 58 degrees. What is the temperature in Illinois when I tried to unload the old Ford? 20 degrees. He said wait until it was warmer out. Thought he was pulling my leg. After 2 days with the temperature at 40 degrees, she rolled right off the trailer. Then the older gentleman said to drain the hydraulic fluid (same fluid for both the tranny and h-pump). Over 1.5 gallons of water came out first. Yep. Tractor probably ran like that for decades in Alabama but it turned into a big chunk of gear-stopping ice. Water apparently likes to run down the shifter plus moisture in the air equals water where it ain’t supposed to be!
You my friend are the real deal as far as a mechanic is concerned, very informative video, thanks so much for posting, I now have the confidence to work on my 1951 8 n, wish me luck I’ll be turning 81 on 28 dec.
Hey, happy early birthday! I appreciate the kind works. Let me know if you have any questions along the way!
We have two, a 1948 and 1951. The 1951 is the runner, the 1948 is for spare parts (none needed yet). Great units.
Thanks, for show this. I grew up drive this model daily... in the 70's
This repair was exceptionally well presented. No minor items or warnings were left unsaid. Plan to follow your techniques on a '52 n I just acquired where the 3 point does nothing. And I fully agree that if your pump isn't working, start with the top lid instead of dropping the pump first. Most times the needed repair exists in the top area.
Thanks for the kind feedback glad you found it helpful!
Great job of explaining the operating procedure & visually showing how to go through working parts, thanks
Very interesting video, very well done, excellent explanation, photography was great. I enjoyed every minute. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Art from Ohio
Thanks man appreciate the kind words!
This was awesome! I only hope I can find it again when I need to do the job. THank so much for producing this video! Nicely done!
Haha thanks for the support.
Daddy had a 9N that he bought from a fella had the motor rebuit, and I plowed the corn fields with it. Loved that little tractor.
You forgot to mention that you were installing the upgraded lift piston in place of the old one that used steel rings. Also, you left out the 2 small paper washers that went on the 2 front bolts for the lift cylinder.
I bought an old 8n everthing worked but had a lot of water in the trans oil....changed that out and drove it for 10 more years growing pumkins to sell in October. Loved that tractor. Sold it when i sold the property and house it took care of for those years. Its still there but not sure the new owner knows how to keep it running.
Often rain water drips in from shift lever boot missing and water settles to bottom of sump and freezes solid the pump breaks if cranked with ice in it.
My Friend what a fine job you did. Thank you for this.
My pleasure!
Excellent video! My 8N 3 pt quit working after sitting over the winter. I’m actually looking forward to digging into it. Thank you!
Its not to terrible of a job pretty fulfilling when you get it finished
Great content. Really nice camera, lighting, audio, and editing. IMHO.
Really appreciate it!
Ok so this is interesting, but due to the unique characteristics of the tractor there is a special fluid for the differential. Ford used a 90wt mineral oil. Apparently the unique requirements relating to the brass in the pump (or so I’ve read), and the pressure on the ring gear makes utf too thin and regular 80w90 fast wearing. I’ve bought some from running but I have seen it online at tractor supply under the traveller brand. The key word is mineral if you are searching for it. Great video!
Very good instructions! I need to get into mine
Iv bought and sold a many 8N i try to stick with the side mount distributor my number 26 - 8N was bought in Morton Illinois Barn fresh original paint not much left a buddy rebuilds them I'm gathering extra parts odds and ends it has the Sherman Combo given it 12 forward and 3 reverse gears can't wait to bushog in creeper in 2nd with the mower powers up twice as slow n strong thanks for the knowledge and experience you showed
Appreciate it! Remember to grab yourself an overrun clutch for your pto if your running a brush hog on these. Just a reminder. Happy hogging!
A very informative video. Great job!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you so much for this video.
My tractor has the problem of the three point not staying up.
So now I know how to fix that problem.
Much easier than I was dreading it to be.
Take Care
I'm glad it helped! Good luck on your repair!
good call on swapping out that valve while you had the cap off. it a LOT easier that way, vs reaching in through the side port.
I try haha
Great video, you make it look easy and very thorough!
loved it I have done that many times I bought a 500lb chain fall and put on my hoist lt sure save steps you can guide the rod in and lower the at the same time alone thanks good video.
Thats a great idea
I think it’s the Piston. I don’t think the oil should be pushing out when the piston is leaking and is not functioning. My best to you regarding success with the hydraulics.
Nailed it!
Great job.
I held mine up by hands while my wife went to kitchen to get a rag .
5 minutes later I was wondering where she went, I sat it down and went to see where she went.
It seems as she was going down handicap ramp she noticed her flowers around the side of house started blooming forgetting all about what I was doing.and went to look at them.
My 1946 9N has a hi and low transmission shift right by that small inspection cover.
Guy I used to work with had a commercial 4 wheel drive 9N that belonged to his daddy none of the guys who worked on tractors for 60 years or more had never seen one and of course he would not sell it.
You actually have a pretty rare howard gear reduction transmission. They are pretty slick units but are susceptible to damage when under high loads. as they only reduce the wheel speed, lots of people have ruined them thinking it's a Low Low gear and try pulling something way to heavy like a stump and snapping them. Worth a good bit on ebay!
Excellent job!!!! It helped me a lot
Glad it helped!
Just caught your Chanel you are awsome
Appreciate it!
I missed where you said how the water got in there - Faulty seal on gearshift ? - Great tutorial
Thank! I think a mixture of time created condensation and the wrong dipstick that didnt seal
Hi, are these tractors the same as the FERGUSON TEA 20 tractor, as in the hydraulic system. thanks.
Same in how they operate yes. But parts do not intermix
@@LeatherHeadGaragethanks for the reply
I’ve seen this several times 😢
Water and failure to change out oil and keep water out of system, gear shift boot bad 😢
Working on this next week. The three point won't stay up and implement.
I’m so sorry you don’t have any friends. Engine hoists are good, but they can’t drink beer.
How much does that repair cost?
For parts and labor i charged him 750 i think
Viewers when I started out as Apprentice I was told only to start tractor from seat , never from side .About 6 months before I started in that shop a young Tradesman did a start up while standing on side and tractor was in gear ,fired up and ran straight over him and killed him .
You are correct it is very dangerous to start a tractor from the side because your between the wheels and if its in gear you'll probably be ram over. Fortunately ive done this many years and hasnt happened to me. But im pretty safety conscious (though it may not look it) i check multiple times tractors in neutral before start if ill be next to it. To the point if its an unfamiliar tractor i will roll it in neutral to ensure its not stuck in a gear without me knowing. But yes very good tip.
Very good video. I have a '49 8n tractor. The 3-point hitch works, but the position control won't hold height, keeps going down. Any idea what I might check?
Yes you draft control is on. There should be a small lever under your seat on the right side make sure it's in the up position. If that doesn't work u have a linkage issue on the top lid
When the same thing happened to my neighbors 8n I thought that he had the top link adjusted too short which let the lift arms slam all the way down when he was using his back blade! I assumed that was causing piston to slam against end of hydraulic cylinder?
On the narritive of the bolts being different lengths, take a marker and label each bolt with a number, and draw a diagram on paper, or list the number on the top plate where the bolts go. Do your homework now, and save so much grief later.
That's a good tip as well. Also seen people push them threw a piece of cardboard in order and write on the cardboard what they went to
@@LeatherHeadGarage Oh, I like that tip as well, using a piece of corregated cardboard that resembles the head, and puch the bolts into their respective positions for the head.
The position control lever is in the upper position. PTO is engaged, 3 point hitch comes up, but as soon as you lower the quadrant level and inch, the 3 point hitch goes to the ground?
You are correct but i believe it's the other' way around. When the draft control is in the down position it that's what it should do. In the up position your 3 point lever should control height off ground. If your tractors still doing that with draft control in the up position you more than likely just have a linkage problem
❤❤
How did the water get into the hydrolic oil?? Als what is the difference between a " N8 " and a " N6 "??
Condensation more than likely going through hot and cold cycles as weather changes. Also some leak around the shifter. I'm not sure your question on the n8 n6. I'm assuming your asking about the difference between the For N series's. There is an 2n 9n and 8n. 9n was the first one built in 1939, they moved to the 2n in 1942 during ww2 because of limited availability of materials it had less options. Then they went to the 8n in 1947 after ww2 which was basically an updated version of the 9n with a different transmission with 4 instead of 3 gears.
What state and town are you from? I may have a tractor that I’d like you to fix.
Eastern washington
New to a Ford 8N tractor.
Have a brush hog, and when I raise the PTO to park it with the bush raised to park it, after several hours the brush hog goes all the way down to the ground. I have to put 6x6 thick wood under the brush hog when I park it to keep it from lowering to the ground.
My question is , should the PTO keep the brush hog up high when I turn the tractor off? Or is there something wrong with the hydraulic system or is it just me?
That's pretty normal the hydraulic piston is just slowly leaking down. If you want to fix the issue u gatta pull the lid and replace the piston and rings
Hey I got my top lid tore apart and gaskets will be a few weeks out. Just wondering where piston/cylinder assembly bolts to the top lid if I can use RTV instead of a gasket. My hydraulics were froze in the up position. With pro engaged the arms would lift and once they hit the top would continue to try and lift making the engine load up. Honed my cylinder as it was rusty from water mixed in the oil. Really hoping that was my issue and I never overlooked anything
That’s a good question, I’m not sure what the factory specs are on if that can be sealed with RTV or not. I think the best option would be the gasket obviously, but I see no reason why it couldn't be sealed with RTV. As for the engine loading down with the lever in the up position. I believe your linkage is off or more than likely your lift control lever is bent so when ur in full up position it's still putting pressure on ur hydraulic pump telling it to keep pumping fluid. With the inspection cover off before u refill it exercises your position lever and make sure that's not the case. Also check the measurements I talked about in the video. If you need more help check back
I pulled the head offof my "51 8N, had it ground flat and smooth, added a new head gasket, and rebolted the head to proper torque. Eventually, maybe two years later, I got aa ticking noise that appears on the right side of the block by the #4 sparkplug, in that corner. At least when I put a piece of black pipe there, and bring my ear to the other end, I hear it the loudest at that corner. I retorqued it but no bolts could be tightened much more to stop the noise. Why there, and what could I have done wrong?
It could be a few things, but you'll want to check the valve lash. If u havnt already
How do u adjust the draft control? Mine isn't working right at all..
If its not working at all I would check the measurements I talked about then look up a video on adjusting the draft control spring. It's pretty easy
So all my life, our 1948 8n has had the draft control lever pushed down. At least 50 years now. I grew up assuming it was supposed to be down. Can you explain this more?? We have a belly mount sickle bar mower attached, is this the reason?
I would assume it would still be up in your case but I'm no expert on sickle mowers. 2 short explanations with the lever up u have full range control up and down, with the lever down as soon as u pass 1in or so from the top on your 3 point control the attachment will lower all the way to the ground. 2nd explanation lever up you are controlling your attachments height off ground with ur 3 point lever, lever down u are controlling your attachments depth in ground with ur 3 point lever. Hope that makes since
Definitely the flux capacitor
Whi do you get your parts from?
Lots of amazon, but also yesterday's tractors
Never end your sentence with a preposition ! ( Without preposition . . . Where do you get your parts ? ) Like where did you get your hat at ? ( Without preposition. . . . . Where did you get your hat ? )
@@johnm.speight7983 thank you for the unsolicited grammar lesson!
Im guessing its the piston seal ...
Dang close
She's got a blown lift cylinder.
I did a great job on the top but pump still totally unresponsive.
Bummer dude!
If they only had a live PTO.
Just started the video.... My bet is.... If it is the same as David Brown, the input filter to the hydraulic pump is blocked. , , , Let's find out...
Definitely I good thought unfortunately these don't have prefilters. But that is super common
A lot of water in that oil.
Yes there is!
Lots of water in oil 😢😢😢
He's taking it to stick it in a storage unit to be useless
This is actually running a soybean planter in central Oregon state
Bad seal
..
I’m
ha ha, this is only the beginning of ur troubles! these things break down every day, twice on sunday!
JUNK TRACTOR
Junk comment.
did you ever own one@@Giversum
@@stinkydog5935we did, ran great!!
Thanks I leaned something today!! You made it so easy to understand.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺☮️
loved it I have done that many times I bought a 500lb chain fall and put on my hoist lt sure save steps you can guide the rod in and lower the at the same time alone thanks good video.
When the same thing happened to my neighbors 8n I thought that he had the top link adjusted too short which let the lift arms slam all the way down when he was using his back blade! I assumed that was causing piston to slam against end of hydraulic cylinder?
When the same thing happened to my neighbors 8n I thought that he had the top link adjusted too short which let the lift arms slam all the way down when he was using his back blade! I assumed that was causing piston to slam against end of hydraulic cylinder?
When the same thing happened to my neighbors 8n I thought that he had the top link adjusted too short which let the lift arms slam all the way down when he was using his back blade! I assumed that was causing piston to slam against end of hydraulic cylinder?