3 Hole Rocker Use

[8N_John]

As you can see from the pic, I don't have a 3 hole rocker on my 8N. I also don't have the welded outside brackets (that welds to housing) that the rocker pins go through on most 8Ns.

What are the benefits of adding a 3 hole rocker (can I just use what I have now for brushhogging, etc)?

Will the lack of the welded brackets for the rocker pins cause problems (not sure why mine doesn't have them)?

 

[beenthere]

You can use what you have.
Not sure what '3 hole' rocker you are making reference to, but having 3 holes to place the top link just varies the effect on the draft (if it is available) and changes the relationship of the top link connection to an attachment in relation to the lift arms of the 3pt.

 

[RalphVa]

That's what my top link connection looks like on my JD 4010. If this spot is exactly vertical from the ends of your draft arms where they connect to the tractor, you DO NOT want the top link any longer than the draft arms. This, by simple geometry, will cause the draft arms to want to jam a bush hog connected via a stiff top link to push the tail wheel into the ground. Solve this by either using a chain for the top link or repositioning the draft arm lift pins on the bush hog. Ran into this problem with the LX4 cutter the way it was delivered to me. Dropped both the hitch pins and changed to a chain for the top link.

Ralph

 

[JerryG]

You need to use the third arm attachment pin on the tractor. You will need to be a little bit longer pin.

 

[kensfarm]

"What are the benefits of adding a 3 hole rocker "

There is probably a lot forgotten about old iron and the implements they use to run. I bought an old MF 65 w/
a mounted 2-row corn huskor.. the front section of the huskor is mid mounted on the tractor.. the second section is mounted to the 3pt.. but wait... it is not only connected to normal 3pt connections.. but is connected from 6 points from the rear of the tractor to the implement. One of the additional connections is connected just under the upper adjustable link.. the other two are connected out wide. The attachement section w/ the 6 connections can not be moved up or down w/ the 3pt.

I had never seen this before either.. to make it even more complex.. a "extention device " is bolted to the pto shaft.. that drives two sprockets for the front section of the huskor.. and a drive shaft for the rear section.

 

[Soundguy]

John.. the 3 hole rocker lets a very light draft implement affect your tractors draft sensing hydraulics. Say.. a small cultivator. For things like plows, discs, or hogs.. the bottom hole is what you need anyway.. so go with it.

Also to anser a few questions for you.. those ears you keep refering to are not 'welded' on.. they are cast in. The 8n had them.. the 2n and 9n didn't have them.

My guess is you have the rear diffy casting to a 9n or 2n.. or even a fergie tx-20 bolted onto your 8n transmission.

They are 100% bolt up compatible, same gasket and all.

I do see that you have the little 3" draft/position lever on your hyd top cover.. making it an 8n top cover. That 8n top cover is not compatible with the 9n/2n pump base. However the 8n pump base and top cover will slide right in a 9n/2n diffy housing... A 9n/2n top cover and pump base will fit on an 8n diffy housing.. etc... Most likely an 8n pump base and top cover will fit in a tx-20 fergy casting as well, as the fergie casting held the same ferguson system pump setup that was in the 9n and 2n.. etc.


It is very common to see swapped parts. Many times people swapped engines. If your 9n lost it's diffy.. if an 8n diffy was available.. you used it.. and got better hyds to boot.

What do your rear hubs looklike.. take a pic of those. that will narrow it down as to what axle trumpets you have.

You will want to know this.. as the fergy rear end will have a fergy pto shaft.. which is a hair longer than the 8n/9n/2n pto shaft. And while each diffy carrier and pto shaft assembly is bolt on compatible.. if you ever need to have pto work done.. you will need to know what pto assembly you have.. a ford or a ferguson one.

Soundguy

 

[BobG_in_VA]

The "3 hole" was used specifically for the Dearborn Sickle mower that was built for the 8N. The "toplink" of the mower bolted to the bottom most hole, otherwise it would not hook up correctly. The toplink on the mower had a "clip that would flip over for road carry when not being used for cutting. The top hole was all we ever used for every thing else such as plows, cultivators and drawbar stays, etc. BobG in VA

 

[Soundguy]

The 8n owners manual reprint I have states the top hole is for lighter draft implements.. and the lower hole for heavier draft implements.. midle for medium draft implemets... I don't consider a plow a light draft implement.. I don't think fomoco did either... most of the ford people I know avoid the top hole at all costs.. some even put a bolt thru it just to remind them.

Aparently you have never had to pull a top cover and repair it. The little linkages in there are NLA If they break.. you better find a good metal fab shop.. and get your wallet out... or buy a new top cover. most of the salvage places I shop at don't sell the linkages and valving seperate from the pulled top covers...

The biggest problem is that the big draft springs are usually rust-frozen in place, and then with a big load on the top hole, they may suddenly move a great deal putting huge stress ont he draft sensing controlls..

Soundguy

 

[higgy]

as normal you have nailed this one soundguy.

 

[BobG_in_VA]

Sorry, but I only ran one on a farm for 18 or so years (It was bought new the year I was born in 1950. I spent a bunch of time working it, not reading about it. As for light/medium or heavy draft attachments, I don't believe anyone in the 50s/60s differentiated them that way. Again I obviously don't read as much as some but only have experience on them. If you folks aren't interested in what it was like to really work one, I'll go away. Sorry for any inconvenience. BobG in VA