First Tractor - Ford 8N - Resources?

[Rollochrome]

Just bought my first tractor. A restored Ford 8N with a brush hog for $3,500.

I admit, I have never so much as touched a tractor before in my life. In fact, I am a little concerned about driving it up on my car hauler as I would like for my first act of ownership to NOT be flipping it over on top of myself and getting crushed.

I see lots and lots of websites, clubs, parts, etc out there in relation to this series of tractor.

What is the best learning resource on-line?

 

[DutchHenryBrown]

Gosh your lucky I've always LIKED the "N" tractors, should be able to get lots of good information here on TBN. As to loading slow and easy short loading ramps make it seem worse than it really is I had mine made into 8 footers makes me feel better. I know there is a more scientific way to get her centered for weight on the trailer but I wait till the bed of my truck starts to dip. Chain all 4 corners and a strap over any implement seems to work for me. Good luck and post some pictures when you get her home. :thumbsup:

 

[jeff9366]

A key source for informational DVDs and parts for 8Ns is Steven's Tractors in Louisiana.

LINK:

https://www.stevenstractor.com

 

[flusher]

Just bought my first tractor. A restored Ford 8N with a brush hog for $3,500.

I admit, I have never so much as touched a tractor before in my life. In fact, I am a little concerned about driving it up on my car hauler as I would like for my first act of ownership to NOT be flipping it over on top of myself and getting crushed.

I see lots and lots of websites, clubs, parts, etc out there in relation to this series of tractor.

What is the best learning resource on-line?

ntractorclub.com is the place to start your tractor education.

N Tractor Club

Back it onto your car hauler.

Check out a roll over protection system (ROPS) for your 8N to be super safe. A ROPS and a seat belt go together to protect you when and if you roll or flip the tractor.

http://www.herculesrops.com/327

Also read through the posts on the TBN safety forum concerning tractor rollovers and how to avoid risky situations while operating your 8N.

Good luck.

 

[Looking4new]

Don't be 'popping' the clutch going up the ramps. Select the lowest gear you got and s l o w l y go up the ramps. If you stall it on the first go restart and back down and give it another try with a few more rpms. Loading a tractor up ramps in not rocket science, you just got to be careful. Especially a tractor with no ROPS.

 

[motownbrowne]

See if it has the Sherman hi/lo transmission. The shifter will be near your left knee. That's a great feature if you have it, mostly for the low reverse. Standard reverse on the 8ns is pretty high. Good advice so far, but if I were you I'd get in touch with someone local who has experience with these machines to learn the ropes. I'd NEVER turn someone loose on one of my 8ns without a thirty minute tutorial. There are just too many things to go wrong. If you are teaching yourself, be extremely cautious. The no live power or hydraulics dance takes some learning. If recommend not hooking up the PTO shaft on the mower till you're in the field, that way you can carry it without it spinning. Also, with that mower you'll likely want an over running coupler on the PTO. That'll allow you to lift the mower in neutral with the PTO engaged and then put it in gear before waiting for the mower to stop spinning. See what I mean? It's a little complicated.

They are great machines. You'll love it.

 

[stuckmotor]

:welcome:
I think it might be a good idea to drive the tractor around and get the feel of it before you head up those ramps.

 

[LD1]

I agree that unless it is a super light duty bushhog, back up the ramps. N's have a real short wheelbase and not very heavy. Anything on the back makes the front light.

Also, if you plan on using that bushhog much, if it dont have an overrunning clutch attachment on the PTO, go to TSC and get one.

 

[Ultradog MN]

ntractorclub.com is the place to start your tractor education.

N Tractor Club

Back it onto your car hauler.


Good luck.

I'm curious why no mention of YTmag.com.
The N board on YT gets 3 or 4 times the traffic of NTC.
Also, Why back onto a trailer?
I haul my tractors back and forth from home to my land a LOT and usually drive them on forward.

 

[LD1]

Also, Why back onto a trailer?

Tractor newbie and we dont know how heavy the bushhog is. Even a medium duty ~700# 5' hog on an N will be really light up front, let alone going up ramps on a trailer that we dont know how steep are.

I though I mentioned why in my post?