Help... inherited 8n... no Idea how to drive

[jonyyuma]

Be aware the clutch can stick to the flywheel and that tractor will rare-up in a heart beat if not careful....Enjoy

 

[SandburRanch]

After all the great advise there is only one thing I would like to add. After finding neutral on the transmission shifter, I would roll / push / pull the tractor to a better less confining area before attempting to learn how to operate it.

Kind of like I did my kids with the old 4 speed Ford pickup. Out in the middle of the pasture where I felt safe with no seat belt.:laughing::laughing:

 

[sandman2234]

Be aware the clutch can stick to the flywheel and that tractor will rare-up in a heart beat if not careful....Enjoy

If the O/P has the transmission in nuetral, this shouldn't be a problem should it? No sense scaring them, as long as they understand that they have to do things a certain way. However, your statement is a viable one "if" the clutch disc is stuck to the flywheel and "if " the tractor is started "not in nuetral".
To the O/P:
Tractors, like any other piece of machinery have many things about them that will hurt or kill you if you don't follow the rules of operation. You are wise to seek advice on moving the tractor, especially with it being located in a tight space. A tractor is a lot like a car, second nature to most of us, but slower and more powerful. Be careful, read the manual and understand it before you attempt operation. Once you have it out in the open, enjoy the ride.
David from jax

 

[jonyyuma]

Seriously, I had my tractor outside and the clutch had bonded to the flywheel? If this one is inside it might not matter....he said it was restored, I was not trying to frighten anybody, tractors commonly are listed or refered to as Toys on this site, anything but. But starting one 8n up in a closed area is kin to poking a BURMA bull in the flank...he probably doen't know anything about that too. Ever saw a tractor go thru the end of a barn?

 

[jonyyuma]

BTw, JimRB , thanks for the posting of the 8n accessories. Looking back at all the pretty stuff and the practical application of equipment. Their example tractor sure is nice, but I have not seen a Sherman transmission , in ages..I love that old tractor, but you have to have respect for it , even for its size and power as an antique.

 

[sandman2234]

Seriously, I had my tractor outside and the clutch had bonded to the flywheel? If this one is inside it might not matter....he said it was restored, I was not trying to frighten anybody, tractors commonly are listed or refered to as Toys on this site, anything but. But starting one 8n up in a closed area is kin to poking a BURMA bull in the flank...he probably doen't know anything about that too. Ever saw a tractor go thru the end of a barn?

I wasn't trying to tell you that it didn't matter, as a rusted clutch disc to a flywheel is a big deal, especially to a person not familiar with the machine. My thoughts were that if the transmission is in nuetral, and you start the tractor, nothing should go wrong, because you probably aren't going to be able to force it into gear sitting still if the clutch disc doesn't disengage. However, if you start the tractor in gear with the clutch pedal depressed and it starts (and the disc is rusted to the flywheel) then your going to have a few exciting moments while you rearrange whatever happens to be in front or behind the tractor.
A good practice is to always put the tranny levers in nuetral to prevent this from happening. I try to put both in nuetral so if I "miss" one, the other covers my mistake.
David from jax

 

[crash325]

If memory is correct some of those had the starter on the gear shift. 4 Speeds forward & 5th position for start.

Neighbor has a "Fergie" and that is how it is started.

One small detail, Slowly add throttle after moving. Add throttle first and front end comes up.

 

[Soundguy]

that's a fergie.. not an 8n.

for an 8n, there is a thumb sized starter button on the trans cover.. it can only be pushed down when the trans is in neutral. i reccomend pressing the clutch too to give the starter an easier time.

this is a manual 4 spd non syn tranny.

choose a gear and go.. no shifting on the fly.

I suggest using low rpm and 1st gear.. if it's in a bad spot.. use reverse and backup.. first.

hand thorttole pulls down toward you.. don't even worry about the pto and hyds unless it has an implement attached.

both brakes are on the right side, and the clutch is on the left.. that, the throttle, steering wheel, thumb starter button, igniton switch and manual pull choke are all that's needed to get her rolling.

soundguy

 

[wolc123]

Like SG says, the 8n does have a safety starter button that only engages if the transmission is in neutral so the warnings of "rearing up" because something "sticks to the flywheel" are not relevant to this model. Many folks confuse the 8n's with the older fordsons which were a far more dangerous machine. When it comes to old iron, few are as safe and docile as the 8n. I have yet to see a modern tractor that I felt safer on than my 1951 8n. The n's have a wide stance and low center of gravity making them very stable. You dont hear of many rolling over, even though there is more of them out there running, even today, than any other tractor model produced before or after by any manufacturer. You would be very hard-pressed to find a safer 50+ year old tractor to learn on.

 

[Adj100]

small update:
set in nuetral, choke out starter buzzed a bit, and nothing... put the battery on a charger and will be back this weekend..

I couldnt find one, is there a fuel cutoff somewhere as well?

Thanks for all the help, I think I know enough to move it now:thumbsup: