Possible 8N purchase today..QUICK HELP PLEASE.

[papabear]

Looked at a 52 8N yesterday that is in great shape except for a couple of minor items.
Tractor was restored about seven years ago but has VERY little run time in those seven or so years.
Engine, tranny, hydraulics, tin, paint, etc. are all in great shape and tractor runs out beautiful except for these few issues.
1..When starting the tractor with the throttle lever slightly down the engine races and when you push the lever to the idle position the engine RPMs are still high. If I shut the tractor off and restart it with the throttle all the way up in the idle position it idles at start up perfectly, but when I pull the lever down for higher RPM than push it back to idle the engine stays at the high RPM untill I shut it off and restart the tractor.
2..Brakes will stop the tractor in fourth gear on a dime if stepped on hard or come to a gentle stop if pressed lightly BUT the issue is the right brake if stepped on hard makes a loud groaning sound. Lighter you press on the brake the quieter the sound.
I don't think either of these two issues are enough to stop me from buying this machine, but I wanted to find out from you guys what it would take to remedy these two issues and how bad I should beat the guy up over them when we talk price of the tractor. Thanks for your quick responses.

EDIT...This tractor has a Sherman transmission in it also.
The buyer wants $4100 for it and that is a firm price.
Thoughts on the price?????

 

[BKBrown]

I don't know much about the 8N, but if it is much like the TO30 Ferguson (they are supposed to be very similar) There won't be much that is hard to fix. I might negotiate a little, but if you want it, GO FOR IT !

Good Luck !!

 

[LD1]

The throttle sounds like a linkage issue. Something is either loose or binding or something not allowing the linkage on the actual carb to return to the same spot everytime.

I dont think I have ever heard one of these old tractors that didnt make some kind of brake noise. Squeaking, rubbing, grinding, growling sound, etc. You can rebuild the brakes if you want, but if they work I'd leave alone.

Neither would be a deal breaker for me.

 

[MitchellB]

I've had my 8N for 17 years now. They are great little tractors for what they are. If you are willing to put in the time to repair it, I think you'll find it is fairly simple machine to maintain that most shade tree mechanics can repair with simple tools and a repair manual. If the price is right, I don't see anything you've described that would be difficult or expensive to repair/replace. The main issue I have with my 8N is due to it's 66 year old age and wear, there are often things that need attention each year as with any machine that old. Usually small stuff, but even that required time invested, but as I said, it is a simple machine to repair usually. The other issue I have with it is both a blessing and it's curse. It is a workhorse for it's size, mass produced tractor, ahead of it's time when first on the market, but it has it's limits compared to newer tractors. However, I'm not sure of your intended use for the tractor or if it would be the right tractor for you personally. I just used mine a few times a month for driveway maintenance, small garden and landscaping chores. For me it was right on the edge of being too small and I invested in a slightly larger more powerful tractor last year, but the 8N still has the advantage when space is tight.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Those issues are not deal breakers at all if you want an 8N.
Be aware that you have to have the pto engaged and clutch out to raise the 3pt. Thats a limitation of all the Ns. If you buy it, put an overrunning clutch on the pto shaft, if it doesnt already have one. The reason is that the pto is dirctly connevted to the transmission and the tractor can be "driven" by the momentum of an implement like a brush hog.

Like this
Pto clutch

 

[papabear]

Tractor also has a Sherman transmission in it.
Price is $4100 firm. Not sure if that is a fare price or not.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Would be a lot arround here.

 

[timster2]

The problem with the throttle is most likely the governor. It gets worn at one position and sticks, it needs to be rebuilt. Not a big job. Overrunning clutch is a necessity when using a brush hog or you cannot stop, the mower will drive the tractor.

 

[GPintheMitten]

4100 seems high to me.

 

[papabear]

As long as I had this tractor it wouldn't be used as a work tractor, so the overrunning clutch isn't something I'm in need of.