Ballast Ford 8N W/ Rear Blade No Traction

[fried1765]

As has been said most steering has to be done with the brakes. I would fill the tires to 80-90% full of fluid to gain as much weight as possible with the pressure @ 8 lbs. Just enough to keep them on the rim. Also might keep an eye out for some cast iron weight to bolt to the rims for added weight as well. Clearing snow with a rear blade is more of an art and learned dance with your tractor than a science.

PUSHING the snow with the rear blade works best, but it is kinda hard on the neck.

 

[LouNY]

I used two wheel drive tractors for many years to move snow, some with filled tires some not.
Chains are what will make it work and the higher the quality of the chain the better they work.
The Euro style will work the best,several times as well as conventional.
The TRYGG's OFA's and Aguline.
My tractors were a bit bigger then an 8N but the 574 is similar in that it is light those tire are not loaded and she hasn't any wheel weights either.

 

[HarryVanderpool]

We fill our 8N and 2N front tires with fluid as well.
Might not sound like much weight, but really helps with steering.
Fluid level is to the edge of the upper rim.

Also, we blade snow almost every winter with no problems.
I wonder if you might be trying to take too big of a bite or are not using enough angle??

 

[rScotty]

When you make up the ice and snow chains for your old 2wd vintage tractor put some thought into how to make some of the chain sit on top of the tire. A lot of automotive "H" pattern chains will drop between the tire lugs instead of sitting up on top of the lugs. The more chain that sits up, the better the traction gets. "X" pattern chains - often with a circular link in the center of the X - are especially good for traction.
rScotty

 

[Gee Ray]

The rear tires should each hold 34 gallons of fluid to get to 75% full. Add all that you can. Will windshield fluid stay liquid down to those temps? Fill the front tires too. If you have the front bumper add some weight there also. As mentioned above get some better chains. You might be able to add cross pieces to your chains to improve the traction.

 

[carpediem4570]

Happy New Year All:

Just finished filling the front and rear tires of the 8n with windshield washer fluid. 200 pounds in each rear and 25 pounds in the front.

Had some heavy equipment logging chains in the sea can. The ones with the large 3 inch bent circles linked together for the cross chains. Cut those up to fit the rear 8n tires.

Spent the afternoon blading the driveway. Woo Hoo. It worked. AND, using the brakes to steer, what a great idea. Thanks for suggesting that.

Although I am still spinning my tires, now I can get up and down the hilly driveway. Just have to be smart about how I blade.

Next project will be adding v bar chain in an x pattern with the circle in the middle to the existing heavy logging chains. If that doesn't help, nothing will.

Hopefully with the added chain, I can then take the tractor into the forest to haul out logs.

Oh boy, 2020 looks like its going to be a good year.

Kind regards and thanks for all the suggestions,

Carpediem