newbie and new owner of 8N

[speedracing944]

The MMM is nice to use and is pretty wide. I have 2 gripes though. It is much more difficult to remove quickly if I want to use the 3 pt hitch which cuts down on the quick versitility of the tractor. After dealing with cheap construction of mower decks on lawn tractors and having to constantly weld them up I appreciate the very heavy guage steel used on the Woods mower deck. I don't think I will ever be able to break it. Secondly I think the pulley design and belt routing could use some improvment. On the deck there is only 15 degrees of wrap around the pulleys and therefore the belt slips to easily. Upping the belt tension seems to help but I am worried about bearing longevity by doing this. More wrap around each pulley would help alot to overcome this problem without stressing out the bearings.

The narrow ribbed tires and heavy duty ag tires have not been a problem on my yard. I run chains on my lawn mower at all times to get traction up a hill and it has never been a problem. I really don't have a show lawn I just want it to be a nice place to lay down and contemplate life under the big Oak tree once a while.

jbrumberg,
The CRX SI models are fun to drive. Very light weight and short wheel base. I have never owned one but have driven a couple. My buddy has a fully restored and garaged first model year CRX (I think an '84?).

What are some safety concerns I should know about. I don't want to run over my kids using it or get my arm ripped off by the PTO or tip the darn thing on me.

Speedy

 

[Grrrr]

What are some safety concerns I should know about. I don't want to run over my kids using it or get my arm ripped off by the PTO or tip the darn thing on me.

Your tractor does not have a roll bar so in the event of a roll-over you would want to do your best to jump as far away as you can. When working on your slope you want to try to go up and down rather than traversing it.

Does the pto always spin round slowly or does it only turn when you engage it. If it always turns you want to be careful when hitching up implements on the back and probably stop the engine and probably stop the engine.

Happy tractoring

 

[speedracing944]

The PTO only spins when it is engaged and the clutch released (in gear or nuetral).

Speedy

 

[jinman]

The PTO only spins when it is engaged and the clutch released (in gear or nuetral).

Speedy

Two rules I like to enforce with any PTO mower:
1. Mowing is NOT a spectator sport. Kids, wives, relatives, and curious onlookers should all take cover when mowing starts or put lots of distance between themselves and you.

2. Never for any reason get off the tractor with the PTO engaged when you are mowing.

2a. The same rules may need to be applied to tillers and posthole diggers.

There are a lot of folks who carefully work around a posthole digger and I don't have any real problem with that as long as they know what they are doing and don't have a lot of loose-fitting clothes on. Some will say that is also an extremely dangerous practice. I would agree it can be and so I'd say to never do it alone without someone standing by on the PTO controls.

I never get very close to my tiller when it is running except when I'm removing a clod of dirt. I try to bust up the clod and then I stand to the side of the tractor away from the tiller while engaging the PTO to sling out the clod. I don't think that is too unsafe. I always ask others to stay at least 10' away while I am tilling. I figure if they trip and fall, it is most likely that they won't get into the tiller if the distance is greater than their height.

I think there are probably some snowblower safety rules that are similar, but the only thing I know about them is what they look like, so I'll let someone who is more knowlegeable give you the scoop.

There are many other safety rules you need to consider about such things as jacking the tractor, removing tires, fuel, radiators, open fan blades, electric shock from spark plugs, etc. etc., but using good judgement is the best practice. OSHA didn't exist when that tractor was built, so you have to use your "noodle" to be safe.

 

[Grrrr]

Two rules I like to enforce with any PTO mower:
1. Mowing is NOT a spectator sport. Kids, wives, relatives, and curious onlookers should all take cover when mowing starts or put lots of distance between themselves and you.

2. Never for any reason get off the tractor with the PTO engaged when you are mowing.

2a. The same rules may need to be applied to tillers and posthole diggers.

There are a lot of folks who carefully work around a posthole digger and I don't have any real problem with that as long as they know what they are doing and don't have a lot of loose-fitting clothes on. Some will say that is also an extremely dangerous practice. I would agree it can be and so I'd say to never do it alone without someone standing by on the PTO controls.

I never get very close to my tiller when it is running except when I'm removing a clod of dirt. I try to bust up the clod and then I stand to the side of the tractor away from the tiller while engaging the PTO to sling out the clod. I don't think that is too unsafe. I always ask others to stay at least 10' away while I am tilling. I figure if they trip and fall, it is most likely that they won't get into the tiller if the distance is greater than their height.

I think there are probably some snowblower safety rules that are similar, but the only thing I know about them is what they look like, so I'll let someone who is more knowlegeable give you the scoop.

There are many other safety rules you need to consider about such things as jacking the tractor, removing tires, fuel, radiators, open fan blades, electric shock from spark plugs, etc. etc., but using good judgement is the best practice. OSHA didn't exist when that tractor was built, so you have to use your "noodle" to be safe.

This is all excellent advice. Last year I was using a very old hay tedder that unfortunately has an unguarded pto shaft. It is not our machine and it is not worth the cost of a new guard. Anyway, I had my shirt on the fender and it slipped off and fell onto the shaft. The next time I looked round the shirt was in shreds about 2 cm square. Just reminded me how dangerous that pto shaft is.

 

[jbrumberg]

I agree with jinman (as usual ). The problem for all of us is that we become too "comfortable" with our equipment and take short cuts which can often lead to disaster. This applies to any machinery and/or equipment (like chainsaws ). Jay

 

[wolc123]

I would try to unload that mmm and get a newer 5 or 6 ft rfm. This should not be too difficult as there are more n's out there than any other tractor model and you will not have any trouble finding a buyer. With just one tractor that setup limits your tractor's versitility in using other implements. I do not know of any 3pt hitch equipped tractor that is easier to change implements on than an n but you loose that advantage with the mmm. You may even find an rfm for less than you could get for that mmm.
Also, if not already so equipped, get yourself an over-running coupler for the pto. The n's take a special model because of their smaller shaft (available at TSC for around $70). Great tractor, and has one big advantage over a new one: You can almost always sell for more than you paid.

 

[JoeinTX]

$2600 for your tractor is a good deal, but, finding an 8n with a belly-mount mower is rare indeed. If you're looking for a grande-sized lawn mower it will be the best. If you're looking for a pasture cutter and general use rig, you'll need to get rid of the mid-mount becuase it will get in the way.


As for the most fun, car or tractor, I'm a biased voice who truly believes that the tractor will produce far more enjoyment and thrill than any car ever will. If ultimate power and ability is your button along with visible results of said power, then a tractor will regularly awe and excite you more than the sports car.

Lamborghini built sports cars and tractors........as odd as that may seem.....and while the cars made more impact the tractors has more practical purpose.