9n steering problem

[legbreaker]

Just finished plowing my 5 acre field and upon return my 1940 9n steering locked up. my usual mechanic isnt around anymore. Does anyone know where to start. I think it is a gear problem it seems my wheels pivot smoothly. is it a big job to get to the gear box and replace the gears if that is the problem. thanks!!!

 

[Soundguy]

First.. you need to get a service manual for your tractor. i reccomend an I&T fo-4 manual.

On a 9n/2n, the steering wheel just connects to a shaft with a gear at the bottom that drives the R & L sector gears.

Jack up the front end and disconnect the steering draglinks and see if the lockup is inthe steeirng box.. or a front end component.. like the spindles. i fthe box, you will have to remove the hood, and dash, battery box.. yada yada..... the top of the steering box is then accessable. ( bottom of steering box is the trans cover! ). Hope it is just a thrust bearing that disintegrated and dropped a roller into the gears locking them vs anything else.. as parts are spendy on that box..

soundguy

 

[legbreaker]

Thanks that the EXACT info i needed. i will check it out and keep you posted. Much appreciated!!!!!!!!!!

 

[legbreaker]

got everything apart. it appears its jammed in the column.(i think its a bearing) how do i get the steering wheel off without destroying the nut? i have three pullers and i have no where to grab the wheel. thanks again

 

[Soundguy]

If you have the oem acorn nut, remove it, and that shaft should be keyed.. it's common to have the steering wheel hud so rusted that you literally have to split the hub to remove it, then repalce the wheel... a lil pb oil and some light tapping around the exterior circumference of the hub may help swag it a bit. If you do put a puller on it.. slip a bolt down the center of the steering tube and center your puller onthe bolt so you don't deform the threads...

soundguy

 

[legbreaker]

having hard time still cant get steering wheel off. the problem is definitely in the column. i have three pullers and none of them can grab the wheel. any suggestions would be appreciated. thanks

 

[8NLUGNUT]

Advance Auto has a wheel puller kit with the correct puller to remove the steering wheel.

I usually start with some penetrating oil and tap on it for a while then if it's really rusted I'll use a torch to heat it up a bit.

You don't have to used a lot of heat.

With the puller it will pop right off. If it dings it up too much you can buy a replacement steering wheel from Tractor Supply.

 

[Egon]

Ahh -- a tractor from days gone by with a problem?? Do they not last forever!

 

[HarryVanderpool]

First, loosen and remove the nut from the steering wheel.
Remove the washer.
Replace the nut turn it by hand down until it stops.
Back it off 2 turns.
Now SMACK the nut with a stiff, soft blow hammer a few times until the wheel pops off. Sometimes it helps to have an assistant hold on to the steering wheel and work it back and forth between SMACKS!
Don't worry; it'll come off.

 

[Soundguy]

Ahh -- a tractor from days gone by with a problem?? Do they not last forever!

They don't last forever.. but an average N with a 500$ motor kit, and another few hundred dollars in seals, and consumables and you can likely get another 50-60-70 years out of them. Not bad for sinking in about 1000$ or less and some sweat equity.

many of today's tractors probably won't touch half the lifespan of the oldies .. not to mention the '2nd wind '

soundguy

 

[Egon]

That must be why one sees so many N's out in the western wheat fields. ???

Course cranks never do wear do they?? Or cams?? Clutches last forever I hear!

And then there are all those other little hidden goodies that will last forever!

I'm even betting the tires last forever.

 

[ToadHill]

I have a 1947 8N thats still running on the rubber that came from the factory. It's got some cracks but it's stood a lot of abuse in 61 years.

 

[Egon]

If it has 61 year old rubber on it that still good it hasn't spent many hours in the field pulling. The lugs do wear off when the tractor is worked.

 

[Soundguy]

That must be why one sees so many N's out in the western wheat fields. ???

Course cranks never do wear do they?? Or cams?? Clutches last forever I hear!

And then there are all those other little hidden goodies that will last forever!

I'm even betting the tires last forever.

Egon.. I'm not sure why you are so down on old machines.

no one is saying they are the be-all.. get all.. it's just.. things were made to last back then.

Machines like the old N's have lasted 50-60-70 ys.... and yes.. are now worn out and ready for rubber, clutches, and a crank grind.. etc.

I really don't expect to see any vintage 70 year old jinmas or bransons.. or heck.. most name brand fiberglass and electronc encrusted machines setting out in pastures in the numbers that you see old fords and other old hi-production number machines ( lotsa old AC, MF, and IH's out their earning tehir keep as well ).

Fords can have cam bushings installed.. and cranks can be polished, and non oem sized bearings can be installed. Rubber is rubber.. don't matter new or old.. it's always a wear item.. so that's a moot point when compairing tractor life.. rubber will wear base don't he soil and hours it works.. Clutches wear on new tractors just like old tractors.. that's also a moot point.. I've seen new tractors with 10 hours on them need a clutch.. some from abuse / misuse.. some for bad materials or mechanical defects ( disc disintegration.. and hubs being ripped out.. )

My point is.. you can take a 3500$ old tractor.. dump in another 1000$ into it.. and then tool around and do the work that a 12000$ tractor does.. And it will still probably outlast the 12000$ tractor! might not have the bells, whistles and gongs... but it works. In some cases.. the bells and whistles don't even mean much..

My 33 year old ford 5000 operates identically to my 6yr old Nh 7610s. I've pulled a 10' mower with each.. the dash is the same.. throttle, break, clutch, pto controls are the same...etc..... sheet metal is darn near the same.. Hyds on the 7610s are just a bit faster than the 5000.. biggest difference is electrical system. 7610s has an alternator and electric tach, and an electric fuel charge pump, and a fuel cutoff solenoid. 5000 has a dc generator and mechanical tach.

I've had a fuse pop on the 7610s that put me on the side of the road till I could get it replaced... A fuse blowing on the 5000 don't mean much.. it only has 2.. one for the dash gauges and indicator lamps ( not the tach ) and one for the headlamps...

new does not always = better.

soundguy

 

[Egon]

Ahh yes the old is better than the new!

I have no problem with the people reviving old tractors. And showing them off.

It's when they say they are are as good as the new models and can do the same work I get a little confused. Cause if if this were so the farmers would still be using the old!

And when we compare metal to the modern composites lets be a little careful.

Check out the new Boeing and see whats its made of!

Dream land is fine as long as we do not confuse it with the world of today.

Is your daily driver a 49 Ford Flathead V8 ?? If not where is your argument coming from???

 

[Soundguy]

It's when they say they are are as good as the new models and can do the same work I get a little confused. Cause if if this were so the farmers would still be using the old:

Where I live.. you see farmers using old tractors.. the only people here with new tractors are the horse owners, and landscapers. The farmers have to use old machines.. can't afford nothing new.

And when we compare metal to the modern composites lets be a little careful. :

I mentioned fiberglass and plastic. Both of which degrade in the sun.. add 50ys to that.. and they will be virtually irrepairable. Yes FG and plastic can be patched and repaired.. but at a certain point.. it will be all patch. Metal ont he other hand.. as long as you keep the rust off.. it's gonna be here. Metal is also easier for the do-it-yourself body man to fix.

Check out the new Boeing and see whats its made of! :

We are talking tractors not airplanes.. lets keep this a bit focused.

:[/Dream land is fine as long as we do not confuse it with the world of today.

I don't see what is 'dreamland' about keeping an old machine running and working. And if you can get the same work out of it as a new one for 1/4 the cost.. why not?!?

Is your daily driver a 49 Ford Flathead V8 ?? If not where is your argument coming from???

Again.. lets talk tractors.. not cars and airplanes. Lots of differences in an automobile from the 40's and today.. less differences in an old tractor and a new one.

And for your info.. I now put more mowing hours on my old tractors than i do on my 'new' tractor. My old ford 5000 is doing the -exact- same job as my NH7610s did using a 10' mower. As for advancements... hmm.. NH overtickled the electrics on the 7610s.. so now a fuse blowing will stall it.. not so on the 5000.. just about everything thing else beterrn the 2 tractors is functionally the same including operator control placement. Heck.. in the dark.. their profiles even look the same.. virtually same tractor. so to answer your question.. yes.. my 'daily' mower is an old tractor.

My old 1955 ford 660 and 850 are my only tractors with a FEL right now.. I move round hay bales with them with no problem.. Can't go out and buy a 3500$ tractor these days and move round hay bales on their fel.. or to say it another way.. you can't go out and buy a new tractor with an fel for 3500$.. not even a chinese one...

soundguy

 

[Egon]

Yesterday has passed and there ain't no way to go back. Some may try but it's a futile attempt!

Today is today and that is where we are.

Tomorrow is always tomorrow and it's a day we can't reach.

Anyplace I see working farms that are a success the equipment seems quite new!

Play farming is different! It's play farming!

 

[wa9w00d]

Not sure what the fight is about..."old" or "new" are still on the market today, and wouldn't be if they didn't fill a need. I have an old Ford 3000 that I would hate to do field work with (no pwr. steering or FWD), but it's great for backhoe work. I have a Mahindra 4110 that is a joy for mower, plowing, and loader work. If I had to replace the 3000 for instance, it wouldn't be hard to find a two wheel drive, 4x2 trans., live clutch unit, and add pwr. steering to boot. But it wouldn't come at the $3,000 I gave for the old Ford. I love 'em both.....
Wayne

 

[Soundguy]

Alright Egon.. it's apparrent that you don't like old equipment and don't like to see it still working. i'm not exactly sure whay that bothers you.. but apparently it does. Your posts are overwhelmingly negative towards anything but new equipment working.

You have a condescending attitude towards a person using an old machine.. re: your comment about farmers using old equipment must be playing.

You are entitled to your opinion.. Just keep in mind.. not all farms are large farms. And not everybody lives Nova Scotia.. farms aren't the same everywhere.

I don't expect to see a 200 thousand ac farm being farmed with all old equipment... however... in many places.. there is still a 'family' farm.. or even co-op farms... and.. at least where I live... almost without exception, old machinery. One of the larger green farms in my area is about 1000 ac.. I doubt there is a tractor on it newer than the 70's.. including the combines.

On the flip side.. the horse farms have all brand new shiney JD equipment.. and turn it over every 7-8 years.

Differnet geographical regions yeild different equipment needs. Smaller farms can get by with smaller machines.. older machines.

Anyway.. moot point.. it's apparent that you have a negative attitude towards an old machine earning it's keep.. and have a? condescending attitude towards anyone using one.. as evidenced by you comments 'trivializing' a farming operation that might still use an old machine.

Your opinion.. and you are entitled to em.. .. but I won't be responding to any more of your posts.. mostly cause I won't see them after I make a few mouse clicks.

Soundguy

 

[legbreaker]

Thanks guys, i heated the nut up popped the wheel off replaced the bearing and off i went. I just finished turning over my field. York raking my 600' driveway and brush-hogging my usual. Boy do i love these old tractors. Nothing beats em. Another problem solved by TRACTORBYNET!!! thanks