TOP LID REPAIR! Ford 8n tractor 3 point not working

Customer dropped off his Ford 8n tractor and says the 3 point quit working. Today, we will tear into it and diagnose why the hydraulics are not working.

[@RoscoeTwoDogs-od3eb]

Bought my 49 8N from Alabama to northern Illinois (near WI border) 6 years ago in early March. When I got home, she would not move (roll) to get her off my trailer. In neutral, parking brake off. I called an old timer who asked me what the temperature was in Alabama when loaded her and left. 58 degrees. What is the temperature in Illinois when I tried to unload the old Ford? 20 degrees. He said wait until it was warmer out. Thought he was pulling my leg. After 2 days with the temperature at 40 degrees, she rolled right off the trailer. Then the older gentleman said to drain the hydraulic fluid (same fluid for both the tranny and h-pump). Over 1.5 gallons of water came out first. Yep. Tractor probably ran like that for decades in Alabama but it turned into a big chunk of gear-stopping ice. Water apparently likes to run down the shifter plus moisture in the air equals water where it ain’t supposed to be!

[@dennishively5994]

Great job of explaining the operating procedure & visually showing how to go through working parts, thanks

[@scottdeeslcutusa8117]

Thanks, for show this. I grew up drive this model daily... in the 70's

[@jackwilley9847]

My Friend what a fine job you did. Thank you for this.

[@LeatherHeadGarage]

My pleasure!

[@johnwallacemcclure1143]

This repair was exceptionally well presented. No minor items or warnings were left unsaid. Plan to follow your techniques on a '52 n I just acquired where the 3 point does nothing. And I fully agree that if your pump isn't working, start with the top lid instead of dropping the pump first. Most times the needed repair exists in the top area.

[@LeatherHeadGarage]

Thanks for the kind feedback glad you found it helpful!

[@larryjohns8823]

We have two, a 1948 and 1951. The 1951 is the runner, the 1948 is for spare parts (none needed yet). Great units.

[@harrykeel8557]

Daddy had a 9N that he bought from a fella had the motor rebuit, and I plowed the corn fields with it. Loved that little tractor.

[@Glens1965]

Great content. Really nice camera, lighting, audio, and editing. IMHO.

[@MitzvosGolem1]

Often rain water drips in from shift lever boot missing and water settles to bottom of sump and freezes solid the pump breaks if cranked with ice in it.

[@vernonearl]

You forgot to mention that you were installing the upgraded lift piston in place of the old one that used steel rings. Also, you left out the 2 small paper washers that went on the 2 front bolts for the lift cylinder.

[@burtclarke6942]

Excellent video! My 8N 3 pt quit working after sitting over the winter. I’m actually looking forward to digging into it. Thank you!

[@alanmize5627]

loved it I have done that many times I bought a 500lb chain fall and put on my hoist lt sure save steps you can guide the rod in and lower the at the same time alone thanks good video.

[@vonRow]

good call on swapping out that valve while you had the cap off. it a LOT easier that way, vs reaching in through the side port.

[@LeatherHeadGarage]

I try haha

[@TripleTRanchAndSawmill]

Very good instructions! I need to get into mine

[@blueboatone5653]

A very informative video. Great job!

[@LeatherHeadGarage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@user-sn6oc8qk8j]

Great video, you make it look easy and very thorough!

[@chuckster6513]

Thank you so much for this video. My tractor has the problem of the three point not staying up. So now I know how to fix that problem. Much easier than I was dreading it to be. Take Care

[@LeatherHeadGarage]

I'm glad it helped! Good luck on your repair!

[@philliphall5198]

I’ve seen this several times 😢 Water and failure to change out oil and keep water out of system, gear shift boot bad 😢

[@robertsrbell7811]

Just caught your Chanel you are awsome

[@TKM1951]

I missed where you said how the water got in there - Faulty seal on gearshift ? - Great tutorial

[@LeatherHeadGarage]

Thank! I think a mixture of time created condensation and the wrong dipstick that didnt seal

[@aviationresults2292]

Working on this next week. The three point won't stay up and implement.

[@stephenmeeks684]

I’m so sorry you don’t have any friends. Engine hoists are good, but they can’t drink beer.

[@chrisquinlan3012]

Viewers when I started out as Apprentice I was told only to start tractor from seat , never from side .About 6 months before I started in that shop a young Tradesman did a start up while standing on side and tractor was in gear ,fired up and ran straight over him and killed him .

[@LeatherHeadGarage]

You are correct it is very dangerous to start a tractor from the side because your between the wheels and if its in gear you'll probably be ram over. Fortunately ive done this many years and hasnt happened to me. But im pretty safety conscious (though it may not look it) i check multiple times tractors in neutral before start if ill be next to it. To the point if its an unfamiliar tractor i will roll it in neutral to ensure its not stuck in a gear without me knowing. But yes very good tip.

[@Josh-dp4iv]

How do u adjust the draft control? Mine isn't working right at all..

[@user-th4en4co4k]

When the same thing happened to my neighbors 8n I thought that he had the top link adjusted too short which let the lift arms slam all the way down when he was using his back blade! I assumed that was causing piston to slam against end of hydraulic cylinder?

[@johnwallacemcclure1143]

I did a great job on the top but pump still totally unresponsive.

[@rafenatho5406]

Definitely the flux capacitor

[@thepubliceye]

If they only had a live PTO.

[@oldbloke100]

Hi, are these tractors the same as the FERGUSON TEA 20 tractor, as in the hydraulic system. thanks.

[@LeatherHeadGarage]

Same in how they operate yes. But parts do not intermix

[@oldbloke100]

@@LeatherHeadGaragethanks for the reply

[@ncut5547]

Im guessing its the piston seal ...

[@willhart7861]

So all my life, our 1948 8n has had the draft control lever pushed down. At least 50 years now. I grew up assuming it was supposed to be down. Can you explain this more?? We have a belly mount sickle bar mower attached, is this the reason?

[@LeatherHeadGarage]

I would assume it would still be up in your case but I'm no expert on sickle mowers. 2 short explanations with the lever up u have full range control up and down, with the lever down as soon as u pass 1in or so from the top on your 3 point control the attachment will lower all the way to the ground. 2nd explanation lever up you are controlling your attachments height off ground with ur 3 point lever, lever down u are controlling your attachments depth in ground with ur 3 point lever. Hope that makes since

[@neonjoe6180]

She's got a blown lift cylinder.

[@rickboggs4828]

How much does that repair cost?

[@LeatherHeadGarage]

For parts and labor i charged him 750 i think

[@aviationresults2292]

Whi do you get your parts from?

[@LeatherHeadGarage]

Lots of amazon, but also yesterday's tractors

[@johnm.speight7983]

Never end your sentence with a preposition ! ( Without preposition . . . Where do you get your parts ? ) Like where did you get your hat at ? ( Without preposition. . . . . Where did you get your hat ? )

[@aviationresults2292]

@@johnm.speight7983 thank you for the unsolicited grammar lesson!

[@philliphall5198]

Lots of water in oil 😢😢😢

[@bobbeaumier8212]

Bad seal

[@rainbowboa100]

ha ha, this is only the beginning of ur troubles! these things break down every day, twice on sunday!

[@stinkydog5935]

JUNK TRACTOR

[@Giversum]

Junk comment.

[@stinkydog5935]

did you ever own one@@Giversum

[@R_B62]

​@@stinkydog5935we did, ran great!!

[@thomasgargano8813]

Thanks I leaned something today!! You made it so easy to understand.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺☮️

[@dicklong7359]

Draft control vid would be cool.

[@dicklong7359]

Any idea what makes the lifting hydraulics clank and clonk when lifting something heavy?

[@alanmize5627]

loved it I have done that many times I bought a 500lb chain fall and put on my hoist lt sure save steps you can guide the rod in and lower the at the same time alone thanks good video.

[@LeatherHeadGarage]

Thats a great idea

[@user-th4en4co4k]

When the same thing happened to my neighbors 8n I thought that he had the top link adjusted too short which let the lift arms slam all the way down when he was using his back blade! I assumed that was causing piston to slam against end of hydraulic cylinder?

[@user-th4en4co4k]

When the same thing happened to my neighbors 8n I thought that he had the top link adjusted too short which let the lift arms slam all the way down when he was using his back blade! I assumed that was causing piston to slam against end of hydraulic cylinder?

[@user-th4en4co4k]

When the same thing happened to my neighbors 8n I thought that he had the top link adjusted too short which let the lift arms slam all the way down when he was using his back blade! I assumed that was causing piston to slam against end of hydraulic cylinder?