Ford 8N or similar older types

[can do]

Totally agree I use mine the same way, They both compliment each other.

 

[JethroB]

Totally agree I use mine the same way, They both compliment each other.View attachment 698418

Have you ever spun your rear wheels outward? It’s been decades since I did it on our
MF 135. 48” to 72” for corn. It’s an attention getter. We did it just using the brakes. I’ve heard some jack them up somehow.

 

[Moxie 15]

as a person looking for his first farm tractor this has been a great read. One thing that I have seen referenced in my research about the N series Fords that has not been mentioned here is that more people have died using an N series than any other series of tractors. Neither writer gave a reason for this, but I would think it is related to the sheer number sold and the absolute lack of built-in safety.

 

[LD1]

It changes the 8N from a 4sp to a 12sp.

Gear steps here, at the page bottom:

TractorData.com Ford 8N tractor transmission information

www.tractordata.com

Bruce

23 mph on a well worn 8N steering has got to exciting.

Yes....23 gets exciting. Especially if the ball sockets of the radius rods are worn (and most are)

The sherman is really only good for road gear. It doesnt make it like a modern 12-speed. Because transmission driven PTO. So it speeds up the PTO too.

 

[TASMAN17]

as a person looking for his first farm tractor this has been a great read. One thing that I have seen referenced in my research about the N series Fords that has not been mentioned here is that more people have died using an N series than any other series of tractors. Neither writer gave a reason for this, but I would think it is related to the sheer number sold and the absolute lack of built-in safety.

I would think popularity too, not just how many were once sold, but how many are still in use today, not that I have any stats to back it up. Bottom line though is all tractors are still dangerous - high clearances, center of gravity, PTO, overloaded buckets etc. Old tractors even more so - no roll bars, seat belt, safety cut off switches, weak brakes etc. Respect the terrain and take it slow is the one lesson I learned. Especially working slopes, picking the appropriate machine for the job, keeping an eye out for large rocks and logs, etc. Common sense goes a long way, but things can turn deadly in an instant so stay situationally aware, including of people, vehicles and things around you.

 

[fried1765]

It changes the 8N from a 4sp to a 12sp.

Gear steps here, at the page bottom:

TractorData.com Ford 8N tractor transmission information

www.tractordata.com

Bruce

Aren't there actually two versions on the Sherman?
One that only improves the low range speeds, but a different model to only improve only the high range speeds?

 

[Egon]

Yeah,...... but the 8N has 24 horses!
Imagine how much worse it must feel.

Put the 8N back to back with two Percheron‘s and see in which direction everything goes!

 

[Egon]

as a person looking for his first farm tractor this has been a great read. One thing that I have seen referenced in my research about the N series Fords that has not been mentioned here is that more people have died using an N series than any other series of tractors. Neither writer gave a reason for this, but I would think it is related to the sheer number sold and the absolute lack of built-in safety.

Three point hitch with no drawbar. By raising the three point there can be a significant increase in traction leading to back flips.

 

[LD1]

Aren't there actually two versions on the Sherman?
One that only improves the low range speeds, but a different model to only improve only the high range speeds?

Actually I think there were three. One was just a step up, one a step down, and one combo that did both as well as standard.

The thing is, with the combo that does both step up and step down.....standard is NOT the same as not having a sherman. It is FASTER than an 8n without.

There was also a howard speed reducer. Less common though

Put the 8N back to back with two Percheron‘s and see in which direction everything goes

And? HP is not a measure of pulling ability. Its a measure of work done over a given time.

Say, how many acres of ground can those horses plow in a day?

 

[can do]

If you have enough room, it is very nice to have an old 8n, addition to a modern 4wd tractor with a loader. Most jobs I need a tractor for do not require a loader. Of those, my old 8n works better than my modern CUT, for more than half. For me, that adds up to about an even split, as far as how the hours accumulate on each.

I used the 8n just last week:View attachment 698409

I would think popularity too, not just how many were once sold, but how many are still in use today, not that I have any stats to back it up. Bottom line though is all tractors are still dangerous - high clearances, center of gravity, PTO, overloaded buckets etc. Old tractors even more so - no roll bars, seat belt, safety cut off switches, weak brakes etc. Respect the terrain and take it slow is the one lesson I learned. Especially working slopes, picking the appropriate machine for the job, keeping an eye out for large rocks and logs, etc. Common sense goes a long way, but things can turn deadly in an instant so stay situationally aware, including of people, vehicles and things around you.

I do have 1 safety feature on my 1959 M-F 50 & you can't start the tractor if the the high/low is engaged on the transmission& this feature prevents you from starting the tractor in gear & you can only start the tractor with the high/low selector in the neutral position. At least they did offer this feature in 1959 as a standard feature ! But common sense isn't so common & there is always going be the person who will take short cuts or think it will not happen to me! Or remove safety equipment. As a retired commercial driver for 44 years safety was taught & practiced on a daily basis just think about it before you start & practice it ,It will come to you naturally. & on my 59 /50 the 1st pages of the owners manual is about operating your tractor safely.