Best hay baler for an 8N

[mefyj]

With no live PTO you would be best to get a baler with it's own power source. All the early balers had seperate power. I do remember a neighbor that had a ford he used on the baler but it was one with selecto-shift. Likely 10 to 20 hp more than your tractor.

 

[sixdogs]

I have baled a lot of hay and owned an 8N and 9N and think this idea is not a good one.
Maybe OK if you had a baler with an engiine on it.
A baler would "drive" the 8N forward and it would plug continuously.
Unplugging can entail a measure of risk and a careless moment hooked to an 8N can leave your hand and wrist in the bale chamber.
It's not as impossible as it sounds.
Just my two cents.

 

[Soundguy]

A baler would "drive" the 8N forward .

not with an ORC installed. I believe the owner mentioned using one. still.. I'd get a seldf powered machine.. OR a *6* or *71/*81 ford or better

soundguy

 

[sixdogs]

not with an ORC installed. I believe the owner mentioned using one. still.. I'd get a seldf powered machine.. OR a *6* or *71/*81 ford or better

soundguy

Thanks.--- I understand.
This is for other newer people that may not be as savvy...Anyone who has owned an 8N or 9N lnows it's 1948-1952 technology and stuff goes wrong that isn't supposed to.

For example, mine was going fine until one day the PTO didn't disengage at an important time. Had I been less careful it would have had an unhappy ending.
Sometimes the clutch would not desengage. And what brakes? The hand throttle could stick.
We both know they are great tractors for what they are. I loved my 8N but finally sold it after a couple scary close calls and traded up. After all, the technology is now 60 years old. We wouldn't use a doctor or dentist with 1950's tech.
They are classic and beautiful tractors and I would buy another --but would be more likely to use it for something fairly docile. Hope I'm not being too offensive with this.
If you have to use it, get a baler with a motor and call it good.
Just my two cents.

 

[Soundguy]

I honestly wouldn't buy anything later than a 53 model ford. IE.. no 9-2-8n unless it was practically free. I've passed on several 700$ units in operating condition just beacause. I like the 8n and 2n I have.. but.. too few options as stock.. I much prefer the better hyds, OHV engine and other improvements the 53+ has.. and really.. the 55-64 if getting particular. IMHO.. just as easy to work on as the 39-52 units.. and 2x the otions available. I havn't found a single task my 8n did well that my 660 didn't do better at. turn radius is near the same as is weight.. hp is higher on the 660 and has a live pto and 28% faster hyds with easy ways to get remotes via a 4-bolt on valve..
add to that.. better rear hubs too.

as far as technology. once you hit the 55's it's not bad. see the same stuff used in the 000 series and x600. not untill you hit the xx10 series do you see a big jump in hyds and a few other things.

if I wanted a diesel mind you.. it would be 65+ though.. and a gasser as stated.. 53-64.. etc.

soundguy

 

[whodat526]

get a nh compact 66 baler if u can find one cause that is about the only size baler the 8n can run

 

[ham]

I ran an 8N with my International 37 without any problem at all. However you need to get one of those PTO thingamagigs that allows the baler to free wheel when you push in your clutch or else it will push you right through through your fence, ditch, barn, etc when you go to stop and the baler keeps running. NEVER leave anything running when working on any hay equipment....just plain stupid. I prefer today doing my hay in my cabbed 4520 but the 8N wasn't without its charms...just don't be in a hurry.

 

[sixdogs]

.... NEVER leave anything running when working on any hay equipment....just plain stupid. ...

Even not running they are dangerous.
Any movement of tractor in gear or movement of baler flywheel moves all the parts as well.
Knives, gears, etc. all claim victims.

 

[TravisTractor]

When we baled with an 8n,9n we used a baler with its own motor,I wouldn't even try it any other way.NO live pto.......baler is going to stop everytime you push the clutch in,or its going to drive the tractor...either way NOT GOOD.

same goes for me,been there done that

 

[tessiers]

I say horse ****, I have baled a lot of hay with a ford NAA and even more with a Farmall H, neither one live PTO. The H is only 24 hp drawbar. I have a new holland 67 baler and it works excellent. You learn to rake a windrow the tractor can handle and you don't need to let the baler catch up. I use the low range first gear on the ford but I often use 3rd on the Farmall. I do not haul a wagon, I just drop them on the ground. It may take a little longer with an old ford but it will get the job done if you learn to work with the tractor.