Ford 8N mystery lever under the seat - explained and demonstrated

[@316jd140]

Probably the most asked question on all the Facebook Ford tractor group pages is, "What is this little lever?" And about 90% or more, the responses are wrong as it's constantly called the "Draft Lever". As I have stated hundreds of times with pictures and explanations, Ford calls it the "Position Control Lever". And I think I know why. The 9N and 2N only had draft control, no position control. So when the 8N came out and Ford added position control capabilities, they wanted to establish that fact by identifying that little lever as position control. Thanks for trying to clarified the lever, but rest assured there are so many Ford 8N owners who will still call it draft control lever.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Excellent explanation. And you're right - I've seen a lot of wrong ones too.

[@pmaci56]

@@PurpleCollarLife going by it was taken from Fergusons patent the lever was called the fingertip control and as someone owning a tea20 it only has draft control. on seeing this video i'm wanting this lift cover for my ferguson

[@turbodiesel4709]

@@PurpleCollarLife : Realistically, it SHOULD have been called a Draft control lock-out, or a Position control enabling lever. Either way, they mean the same thing. Anyhow, when lever is vertical, it allows the 3-pt hitch to operate only in Position Control, thus ignoring any top-link draft sensing input. **The small lever on the top cover is to be vertical for Position Control. This is the position it should be left in 99% of the time.** For top-link sensing Draft Control, the small lever should be placed in the horizontal position. This is the position used for ground tillage, such as moldboard plowing or cultivating, and little else.

[@zirzmokealot4600]

​@@turbodiesel4709he literally told you all of this in fine detail in his video.........

[@kjellrogerjgensen60]

And this is not only on Ford or Ferguson, there are variants on other brands too. And not only a lever, Fiat uses a push/pull "switch". And a locking on the topstay-spring in position controll. Here the draftcontroll is much called a plowing feature, for saving the plow from braking, and stalling of tractor when rock hits to big stones, or hard soil hinders the plowing. When in draftcontroll-mode the plowing depth vill vary if the soil are not ewenly packed over the whole ploving area, because of this systems ability to react to the resistance when plowng, and this is partly a unwanted consecuence.

[@tonyf5642]

My grandfather had one of these 8n's on his ranch when I was a kid in the 60's, my dad ended up with the tractor when grandpa sold ranch and retired. My grandpa used to give me rides on the tractor and let me steer it. After my day got it, I learned to drive it as a teenager. We had an acre of almonds around our house; great memories.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

That's great to hear. It's amazing the memories that these old machines bring back. :)

[@AnthemBassMan]

I absolutely love the old Ford 2N, 8N, and 9N tractors! My Grandparents had a small 197 acre farm here in eastern central Ohio, and I got to cut my teeth on Grandpa’s 8N in the early 70s. He also had a Ferguson TO-30 with the FEL. I love all the old iron tractors, but the Fords will always be my favorite.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

I'm right there with you. I like all the old machines - but the Ford tractors will always be a favorite. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment!

[@mmanjin]

First time seeing your channel. Brings back lots of memories for me. Growing up on our family farm back in the 1960's and 1970's the 8N was the first tractor I drove and was 8 years old at the time. I laugh about it now because at the time I thought it was a huge tractor.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

That is awesome! I too, remember thinking that the Ford 8N was huge And it was - compared to the Cub Cadet 149. :)

[@markvisconti4507]

Oh, now you tell me?!?!?....we had an 8N back in the early 1970s, and it was a brilliant little tractor. 50 some odd years later, I learn all about it. Thank you, Sir!

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Well, I'll be honest - until about 10 years ago, I never really understood that little lever either. And I've been driving this tractor around since before I could drive a car. :)

[@celestebowen5648]

I'm learning so much from your videos. It's helpful to know what everything does! My uncle gave me an 8N when I bought my farm, and basically told me "good luck"! It's been a learn as I go process and your videos are definitely a big help. Thank you!

[@PurpleCollarLife]

That's awesome! We're always happy to hear that our videos are helpful. Enjoy that 8N! We'll keep making videos about it. :)

[@crustyzs6885]

We also have a ford Jubilee, that has been on our farm since it was new. My great grand used it, my grandma, my dad😊, me, and now my son and daughters use it. We have some newer tractors we use more regularly, but that ford will never leave this property as long as im alive.

[@robedwards9486]

First thing I ever drove was my grandfathers 8N and was bottom plowing the field for him at 8 years old. Awesome machine.

[@phildo39645]

One acre in one hour on one gallon of gas and docile enough a boy could do it! (One of fords sales pitches)👍🏻

[@johnmoore8016]

I drove one of these on the farm, never knew what that little was far but I did plow with down at time. (always my right hand was on the little level. Thanks for the info. Still think of that old for tractor every now and them. (Mississippi Gulf Coast, USA

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks! It's amazing how many of us spent time on these farm tractors as children and young adults! So many memories attached to these farm workhorses!!

[@JLange642]

Sold my fathers 54 Ford in 2020 after he passed away, yet this video brought it all back to me again! Fantastic tractors!

[@Reitz86]

I owned a ‘48 for for 22 years, great muscle for the property, I wish I had this channel back then 90’s - 2000’s, 👍

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks for the comment. I too wish I had a better understanding of how that hydraulic touch control lever worked with the Position control lever back in the 90s. I just knew "not to touch it" when it came to the position control lever - never really understood why.

[@Rokonroller]

Excellent tutorial, I’ve been around IHC all my life, always wondered what that lever was for! Thanks

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks for the compliment! We appreciate it. I'm glad you found the video beneficial.

[@ianmckay1780]

I'd never seen one up close so didn't know what it was. However, being an ex Ag Engineer (45 yrs ago), I worked out it was something to do with the 3pt lkg. Then you started explaining about posn/draft, penny dropped. Boy was I happy, even 45 yrs later still have the knowledge back there somewhere. Thanks for getting the gearwheels grinding! Feel much happier about myself now!!! PS Very good explanation of what and how, Thanks once again, From UK.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@loegemini-tl2qi]

Thanks for that! Yes my grandpa had a 8N ford he used it alot. When we were kids, yes we play on the tractor make a long story short. My brother drop a plow on my leg when I was playing mechanic under the plow. I was about two are three years old. My grandpa was in a hurry never set the plow down. He did took the keys out of the tractor when he went inside of the house. Unfortunately still got my leg, 65 years old I just have a bulge on side of cafe leg today. So be safe out there with your tractor

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks for sharing your story! These machines were made for work and certainly can cause injury (or death). But we all played on them as kids. :)

[@JohnWellendork]

valve

[@JohnWellendork]

Check the spring relief valve and piston leakage.If it drops as soon as step on clutch it is the relief valve or the piston

[@bobbg9041]

You can still push the start button And with it in gear make the tractor inch forward. I used to drive one as a kid now I'm 64 id love to have one. 70+ years still running and you can fix it with a bobie pin. Simple to work on.

[@webmastercaribou7570]

Thanks for the refresher. I used to have an 8n with a front bucket and a rear grading blade. Great memories.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Very cool! So many people have had a history with these Ford tractors, it often brings up lots of memories.

[@tadonplane8265]

Dad had a '48 8n. I was bush hogging on it at age ten (1965), but we didn't plow. We built a hell of a pasture fence with it though. We drilled post holes with it and then used it to stretch the fence wire. When it snowed and the roads were really bad we went to the store on it.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

That's awesome! I can only imagine taking the Ford 8N to the store during a bad snow storm. :)

[@paulgithens635]

Brought me back to my grandfather's farm and my time on this tractor.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Great memories seem to surround these old piece of equipment. Everyone has such excellent stories.

[@michaelgfoth6214]

It was uncle’s. First tractor to drive.

[@cbmech2563]

Thank you for the education, I resealed a couple when I worked for an Oliver dealer and always wondered how it worked

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@michaellowe8286]

Spent many years on the farm using them we had two of them and a 641 work master very well made tractors and did a lot a work with them from disking field to planting to grading the driveway in winter or summer.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

That's really cool. These tractors did a lot of work for many decades. We love having this 8N and our Workmaster 641 on the property.

[@pasqualeparente9776]

I cannot explain, but I like tractors so much but don't understand why. I like the fact that it is a machine with endless choices of gears that affect speed and gears that control implements and also the braking system which is complicated and simple at the same time. The idea that you can apply brakes to one side or the other or both at the same time is just amazing this to me is real driving, being able to have so much control. I can go on and on but I must stop here because this is all I know . I am just fascinated with these machines....

[@dwayne1029]

I finally understand!! Thanks very much for your detailed explanation.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Glad it helped! There have been many misconceptions when it comes to this little lever under the seat.

[@BRPFan]

Good job explaining it. I worked at a Ford tractor dealership for many, many years as a Mechanic and worked on lots of 8N, 9N and 2N tractors. One year a salesman took a 8N in trade without looking at it. What a surprise that was! Here the kids had taken a number of different colours of house paint and painted the tractor! Oh my it was ugly! But it had two shifters where there normally is only one. Here it had a two speed trans! 😳 Very rare! Wish I had bought it and restored it.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

That's a great story! The tractor would indeed have been very rare. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment.

[@xephael3485]

There are plenty around for sale still

[@BRPFan]

@@xephael3485 All the years on working of tons of 8N’s and grew up with a 8N on the farm, I have seen one before. I went and asked our senior mechanic and too babe never seen one before. Maybe just in our are it’s very rare? Who really knows?

[@xephael3485]

@@BRPFan maybe they weren't popular in your area or whatever? You can buy them today. Ford 8N Tractor with 2 speed Sherman Transmission should help your search results. From what I understand they were sold as a dealer add-on to the tractor, or installed by the owner at a later date.

[@kleetus92]

@@xephael3485 Sherman also made a 3 speed in the 800 series... I have it on mine. Only problem is it messes with the PTO speed.

[@thegreenerthemeaner]

We had a 52 that was bought new by my Grandparents neighbor. It was handy and did lots of light work easily and cheaply. We put an Over-running clutch on the PTO to stop the travel when it was wound up on a rotary mower. I could deal with that but they really needed live Hydraulics which the Jubilee brought as well as more power. We out grew ours and traded it in on a used 5000. We had a 981 also at the time.

[@the_rocs_roost]

It's the same in the Ford NAA, as well, in case anyone viewing is wondering. When in doubt, read the instruction manual, lol. Great video!

[@perrylc8812]

Had an 8N about 40 yrs ago . Love the thing, the only thing I didn’t like about it was having to have the pto engaged for the hydrolics to work .

[@PurpleCollarLife]

I am so used to having to engage the PTO for using the lift, that I don't even think about it anymore. Sometimes I accidently do it on the Ford 641 Workmaster because I forget that it has live hydraulics. :) Thank you for watching and leaving a comment. Have a great week!

[@Ozarkprepper643]

Good explanation. I've had my 39 9N Ford Ferguson since the 80s. Still does the brush hogging and log skidding duties on the ranch. Compared to other equipment she's cheap to keep. 🚜🤠🐂

[@PurpleCollarLife]

These tractors are such a great value! Thanks for watching and leaving a comment.

[@Antiquetractorsetc]

I like how you have front weights because these are so light up front especially with attachments on. I have a ford disk harrow on mine right now and it’s very light steering. My grandfather ran an 8n when I was a kid and he’s had it do wheelies with a flail mower on it.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Yes - front ballast on these tractors is necessary for sure! We actually made a video about that. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5XOnWawdqpjbMU Thanks for watching!

[@mikeroberts1970]

The main function of the draft control was to maintain plow depth. I grew up on a 961 pulling a 3 bottom plow. Dad on the 6000 with a 4 bottom and me behind him. As the land changed going across the field...the front end of the tractor crossing a lower or higher spot of only an inch or 2, the draft control through the top link would make the adjustment to maintain the depth of...say 6 inches. Many times, if you'd hit a tough clay spot you'd need to slip the "touch control" lever below the stop to try to maintain depth hoping you has enough power to pull it at the desired depth. The 961 was 9 years newer than your 8N and had about 20 more horsepower. The function is the same. The 961 did have 3 different sets of holes where the top link pin goes. One marked plow intge casting, another cult and the third misc. I think i was about 10 years old when started plowing. I'd was pulling a 4 section 24 foot harrow when i was 8😊

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks for sharing some more history from a 1st person perspective! That's awesome to hear how these tractors were used for plowing. I really enjoy stories like that.

[@randallvaughn9318]

Folks need to teach kids how to work. My Dad was plowing a pair of mules at 8 years old. He made 10 cents a day

[@douglasbarcus8042]

Thank you for explaining this to me. I use our 8n with a backblade to scrape snow off our gravel driveway. I could never figure out how to keep the blade in a constant position.

[@RobertGregory-ix6hs]

I had a 8n ford tractor 🚜 you were right on the lever under the seat 💺

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks!

[@davida.p.9911]

Very informative Chad! Thanks for sharing! 😎👍

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@mikecowan8762]

Yup....Learned To Drive On an 8N.....Never Exactly Understood About This Lever....But Daddy Did Try....And I Believe You're Right

[@PurpleCollarLife]

I remember people trying to explain it to me when I was younger also. Having never plowed with the tractor, I didn't understand the mechanics of it. But now - I get it. I suppose wisdom comes with age? :)

[@turbodiesel4709]

@@PurpleCollarLife : Usually the problem was/is that the teacher either didn't fully understand the operation themselves, OR, they just weren't very good at explaining/teaching others. Both instances were/are pretty common problems.

[@1968CudaGuy]

Excellent tutorial!! Just added this video to my collection of your wonderful tutorials..

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thank you for the kind words and for adding this video to your library/playlist!

[@bigfoot2941]

Rebuilt a few in school back in the 80's

[@PurpleCollarLife]

That's awesome! I like to hear that people have taken the time to keep these old metal machines running. And that's a great skill to have!

[@rodipson1013]

We had 2 Ford tracters for decades 860 & 640. I loved them both. Hours and hours of work it was great fun! Dad sold them. Now have his John Deere not fun now just work.😢

[@Mike-zw7fq]

Good Video. My only critic would be for you to only demonstrate starting and PTO engagements from the proper seated position. Best Wishes from Montana! M.H

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Noted! And that's a good safety point. I suppose I bend the safety rules sometimes for the purpose of being able to point things out on video. But at the same time - that's probably the best time to demonstrate proper safety. So your point is well taken.

[@Mike-zw7fq]

@@PurpleCollarLife also please know that I have put out content to the public and it is very difficult to see everyone's way of looking at things. Whe still being true to yourself. I appreciate the Content and look forward to seeing more. Keep up the good work and Best Wishes from Montana! M.H.

[@StevenStadel]

That is the tractor we used on the farm to clean pens with when I was a kid.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks for watching! These tractors certainly have left lots of memories for people from their childhood.

[@colmanlong1032]

Great Explanation Sir.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thank you! We appreciate you watching and leaving a comment. Every comment, click of the “like” button, and subscriber helps promote our content to a larger audience. :)

[@markpalmer7832]

Owned 8 ns for decades....my 52 was my favorite... Have John Deere now.....only wish my 8N was 4 wheel drive.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

These 8Ns are certainly great tractors. And the 52 is a great year! Have you ever seen those tracks that Ford made for between the rear tires and a smaller dolly wheel toward the front? I've never seen them on a tractor in person - but I have seen pictures. That looks like it would make a tractor into a bulldozer! I can't imagine it ever getting stuck. Here's a video from Classic Tractor Fever (we love that show!): kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXzakn5_jaypgNU

[@Tactical_Arborist_1776]

Love your 8N! Me and my dad completely restored a 48, 51, and 52 8N back to like new condition. Does you 8N have the Sherman 2 speed? A Sherman underdrive make the 8N a whole new machine compared to one without it!

[@michaelogden5958]

I spent many an hour as a kid on a Ferguson 30 - very similar to the Ford 8N. We cultivated about 60 acres. The little sucker was a true workhorse. Not very quick at tasks, but steady as could be.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Wow - 60 acres! That would be a lot of work. These old tractors are so reliable - but you're right - not super speedy. :)

[@michaelogden5958]

@@PurpleCollarLife Yeah, when I was about 13, we had that little Ferguson 30 and a 3-disk plow that would take out massive 36-inch swaths. My dad paid me $1 per hour to plow. I saved up enough to buy my first deer rifle - used, atabout $175 as I recall. Still have the rifle, but I haven't hunted in decades even though they are plentiful out here. Cheers!

[@criagcundiff2469]

Excellent information/explanation. Thank you.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks! We appreciate you leaving a comment. Every comment, click of the "like" button, and subscriber helps our small channel grow and our videos get shown to a larger audience.

[@keithwarkentin]

One thing that I would add and love to brag about when it comes to all the N-Series Ford tractors is the Ferguson system and the Genius there of . All tractors in the day always ran the risk of of going over backwards if you were let’s say plowing or most anything and not only does the Ferguson system keep you from going over backwards but as you pull it puts pressure back on the front of the tractor so you can pull and still steer when pulling but on my Farmall M if you’re pulling a plow it doesn’t put pressure back down on the front axle and it can tip over the back and if you hit a stone it can be very jarring to the operator and can pose danger and that’s why on all tractors if you’re in colder climate you can flip the tractor over if the tractor is frozen in the ground so you should use reverse to brake it out of the frost so never park yourself in a corner always leave room for that condition and of course if you have an implement on your N-Series you don’t have to worry about it but if don’t have any implement on you need to watch for this condition 😀🇨🇦

[@PurpleCollarLife]

You got that right! The combination of that Ferguson system on the Ford tractors (and Ferguson tractors) was genius. A really innovative invention that solved a legitimate problem. It truly isn't talked about enough. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment!

[@keithwarkentin]

@@PurpleCollarLife 👍

[@WilliamMurphy-tj7il]

@keithwarkentin ??? Going over backwards? HOW? Any properly set up implement would have a 3 point assembly that would make it EXTREMELY DIFFICULT for that to happen. Even over drafting with a plough only raises the front before the engin dies, assuming the operator is more than just a steering wheel holder....you have to have one foot on the clutch..NOT RIDING IT, watching front and back...farmers learn how...and know which gear to be in

[@dave-uf8ir]

Great information excellent cheers 🥂 😊

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@dave-uf8ir]

@@PurpleCollarLife 😎

[@davidmager2827]

I can’t wait to check my 49 8N tomorrow to see if I have that lever. We had a couple of these tractors back in the 70s and I don’t remember seeing that lever. I bought my 8N a few years ago as a yard tractor for grading the driveway so this might come in handy.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks for watching! All Ford 8N tractors will have the lever. 2N and 9N machines will not.

[@turbodiesel4709]

@davidmager2827 : Leave the lever in the vertical position, for "Position Control". The only thing that the draft control is any good for is moldboard plowing and cultivating. Basically ground tillage operations. You will find it a useless nuisance for doing back blading work.

[@dandahermitseals5582]

That's a really sweet old 8n. Im a 1947 modle. Haha

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks!

[@RazingthenRaising]

My family had a 1953 NAA. I always wondered what that lever was! My dad said it had something to do with load, but I never tried it.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Now you know! :) The function is the same on the NAA, Jubilee, 600, 800 series Ford tractors. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment.

[@snakerstran9101]

Grew up with several little Fords. Out of all of them, I think one had the stubby one-piece drawbar that was completely separated from the 3 pt. The rest incorporated a extended draw bar, a crossbar, a clevis and two brace links connected to the 3 pt to make up the drawbar assembly. With that drawbar configuration, we would set the position control lever to draft because it essentially disabled the lift control lever and kept an inadvertent movement of the lift control from bending the brace links.

[@thegreenerthemeaner]

Shut the PTO off. The short drawbar was an aftermarket item that was sorely needed from the factory. Pull a 100 bushel of ear Corn with one and you'll know what you got.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

We have the extended draw bar, cross bar, and brace link system for this tractor too! :)

[@snakerstran9101]

@@thegreenerthemeaner Well, you can't shut off the PTO if you're using the PTO. Also, the stubby drawbar sat quite a bit forward of the extended one and some pulled equipment could have issues with contacting the tractor tires on tight turns.

[@thegreenerthemeaner]

​@@snakerstran9101Those aftermarket drawbars used to have 2 holes in them for adjusting under the tractor besides the hitch end. The ones made now, I couldn't say. One to "store" the drawbar close up for when you had a PTO implement or a plow on for clearance. The other at the end to extend it for use. Some of them were cheap and bent if too much tongue weight was put on it.

[@davemilster]

Thanks for the video. I’m looking to buy an 8N. This with a brush hog and a box blade to keep my logging roads clear and manageable. My question is… near the end you pressed down on the clutch and did something with your right hand that allowed the three point hitch to lower. What did you do with your right hand??

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Hello and thank you for the question. In that section of the video, I was pressing the clutch and engaging/disengaging the PTO lever. I explain this in a few other videos. I hope these help. And thanks for giving the the opportunity to answer your question. We'd appreciate if you would consider subscribing to the channel. Please give these videos a watch How to start and operate the 8N (including the PTO): kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnXPY4x-aa6sr7c How to brush hog (explaining the PTO and 3-point lift) - kzbin.info/www/bejne/opLGYqiQpZdobsU How to fix a driveway with a backblade - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKWXk6qpe55lmNU Here is our entire Ford 8N playlist. I think you'll find these videos helpful: kzbin.info/aero/PLJy7cj0ut2cBWTStoVA1G_lfQ8hnhUtLu

[@donmcdaniel2863]

Excellent video

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thank you very much!

[@guypehaim1080]

Nice presentation. Good thought organization. FYI, it looks like you're getting some rust on your seat spring that needs attention. Some rust converter here would do the job.😊

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks! It's been a while since that seat spring has been painted. And anytime you tip the seat back, it does scratch the spring - promoting rust to start.

[@guypehaim1080]

@@PurpleCollarLife What you could try is powder coating the spring and seat. What I found is that with powder coating, the rust will not migrate under the coating if it is nicked or scratched. This is how it was on the brush guard on my Subaru. When I first bought the car, the brush guard was just painted. People would run into it in the parking lot and it would rust and the rust would continue under the paint. Once I had it powder coated, all that stopped when someone damaged it. Powder coating is 14 times tougher than paint. It is actually a plastic layer over the metal.

[@larry648]

Never had an 8N. We wore out a 2N and now have an NAA. Live hydraulics are great😅

[@PurpleCollarLife]

The live hydraulics on our Workmaster 641 are nice for sure! But after decades of using the 8N without - I'm used to that system too.

[@The762nato]

Safety FIRST ALWAYS be seated on the tractor before trying to start ! I know a , knew , a man that tried to cross the solenoid to start the tractor . He was found half an hour later with the rear wheel still grinding him up .

[@PurpleCollarLife]

That's a good point and well taken. I was attempting to be able to make a few points while not having my back to the camera sitting on the seat - but I understand the concern. As a note - our 76 year old 8N has not had the safety disabled. So our tractor does require the transmission to be in neutral before it will allow the starter button to be pushed down.

[@wfe4210]

Yeah, you really shouldn't be showing novices bad habits like that.

[@dpeter6396]

I really want to find a Fergie or Ford of that year! That's my year!

[@PurpleCollarLife]

I like all these old Fords! Thanks for watching.

[@charlesmeuse5734]

Had a few 8ns when in tx and in fla .a wonderful tractor with those awful point system .I know there's a kit . ,parts readily available reasonable. I have a john deere now and miss my ole fords. Thinking about 8.. or 9 n with nastalgia.

[@tedecker3792]

First vehicle I ever drove, on my grandparent’s ranch. About 1956.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

I love hearing those stories. For so many people, these classic tractors were the first experience driving or operating a piece of equipment. They have so much history. Thank you for watching and leaving the comment.

[@tedecker3792]

@@PurpleCollarLife got a better story for you. (Same Ford tractor) my aunt, not a farm girl by any stretch, liked to drive around the farm yard. She stopped in front of the ranch house, turned off the ignition and let the clutch too soon. The tractor lurched forward a couple of feet flipping her backward off the seat. She stuck the landing! Great family lore!!

[@bobmahnamahknob]

Looks like you did the 12v conversion on that 8n. It's like night and day, especially if you have and use headlights.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

It does make a big difference - especially in the winter. The ability to start faster and have brighter lights is certainly worth the upgrade. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment! We appreciate it.

[@MrBurntfinger]

'48 was a good year. I was born that year 😊

[@bobbg9041]

That manual should be public domain now.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

That link is one of the few I can find for the 1948 8N that allows a free download.

[@jwar2163]

My good man. When you do not have an implement attached to the PTO put the protective cover( Cap) on. I have two 1952 Ford 8Ns with the side distributor and for many years I have fixed and serviced my friends 1948 8N. Nice demostartion on the 3 point postional control lever. I see you have done the Alternator conversion . Have you also converted to solid state on the points?

[@PurpleCollarLife]

That's a great tip - and we do have the original PTO cover. Unfortunately, the overrunning clutch makes the PTO cap unusable on these tractors.

[@dennisclapp7527]

Thanks PCL

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks for watching and leaving a comment!

[@anthonybachler9526]

Love the tshirt :)

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks!

[@IowaBudgetRCBashers]

Interesting, my brother had a 8n and a 4000. They both had this, I never thought to ask what it was.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks for watching! (and watching the other videos and subscribing!)

[@stephensmith6055]

I don’t have a farm, or a tractor, or know how to plow a field…. But here I am watching this 😂

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thank you for watching! We appreciate it.

[@duckingtonedits2369]

Best tractor ever made

[@PurpleCollarLife]

No doubt! I actually made a video about it with that title a few years ago: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2mvlISYm9qYibs&t

[@rohlfing63]

It was a very good tractor for sure, I've spent many hours on them, but I'd have to say not the best ever. My main gripe about it was the lack of live PTO.

[@jamessmith7691]

I have 3 8ns so I think I'm gonna be a watcher.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

That's awesome! These are great old tractors. We appreciate you watching and leaving a comment. Do you know what years your 8N tractors are? Do they have the front-mount distributor, or the side-mount?

[@joelweinert3580]

It would be fun to see it working with a plow, actually adjusting to maintain constant pull.

[@SRMWorkshop]

I'm going to have to try that function this winter when clearing snow off the road. I end up with one hand on the position lever the whole time to keep the tractor from bogging down.

[@turbodiesel4709]

@SRMWorkshop : In theory, it should, but in reality, it really won't do what you want it to do when plowing snow with a back-blade. The best thing to do is leave it in position control, and learn how to plow snow with both a straight & an angled blade. Take smaller bites when straight blading, and make multiple passes. Sensed through the top-link (center link), Draft Control's only real purpose is for moldboard plowing. When there's too much load on the implement (and tractor), the strain/load on the drawn implement pushes in/forward on the center link, which moves the control valve internally & raises the implement out of the ground a little bit, so that the tractor can maintain traction & forward motion. As the tractor regains traction & maintains forward progress, the draft load decreases and the implement lowers back to the depth setpoint of the main depth control (raise/lower) lever. That little selector lever on the right side of the top cover of the transmission just "locks-out" the top-link sensing draft control mechanism. Done so that the 3-pt hitch will only respond to whatever position the operator sets the depth control lever (raise/lower) at, by hand. For anything other than moldboard plowing, your best bet is to leave that little selector lever in the position control and not in draft control.

[@SRMWorkshop]

@@turbodiesel4709 Thanks for the info. I've been using this tractor for snow removal a few times each year the last 9 years. The snow we get is normally a bit wet and heavy and can stick to a clean, waxed blade even when the angle is set pretty aggressive. Also My engine is long over due for a rebuild so I'm down on power and it's really easy to bog the engine. High range in 2nd or 3rd seems to be the sweet spot where the engine bogs not as much but I'm still going fast enough to flick the snow to the side. I just figured switching the leaver would be worth trying to see if it works better.

[@scrapperstacker8629]

Great info.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thank you! We appreciate you watching and taking the time to leave a comment. Every comment, click of the "like" button, and subscription helps to grow our small channel. Thanks again for the support.

[@dandahermitseals5582]

Good info for town boys 😅😅. Dandahermit 80 yr old farmer

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@DanielLinden-b1k]

I would like to meet the guy that designed the guts! And wow 1948 that's spectacular 😊😊😊

[@PurpleCollarLife]

I'm sure it was a very intelligent individual who did the engineering behind that system! Thanks for watching and leaving a comment.

[@Gollum-sn6bf]

Back here in the woods, that lever is called the "float" lever. It allows the implement to ride across bad things.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks! That's a good way to describe it. We always say that we live "in the woods" also.

[@merylpelosi8485]

I asked my grandpa what that little lever was, and he told me it was lever B. I never asked silly-assed questions again.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

That's too funny! :)

[@dereksmith5019]

Thanks for this , but could you tell how to adjust the touch control lever . Loosening the 4 cap screws on the housing lets the unit move forward or backward .

[@PurpleCollarLife]

That's a great idea/question. I've never had to adjust ours. And I looked through the manual and didn't see instructions on that.

[@dereksmith5019]

@@PurpleCollarLife I look forward to your next instructive video .

[@brianlubeck4184]

What I've always heard about the lever, you have it down for plowing and up for everything else

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks! That is how I understand it also. :)

[@integr8er66]

Right, but you really should understand why, Draft control will lift your plow automatically if you hit hard soil, in position control it won't move. In Draft control you can't hold a load 1/2 way up, its either up or down

[@turbodiesel4709]

@@integr8er66 : Yep. In essence, all Draft Control Systems should be left in the Position Control position for basically everything, except for moldboard plowing. A little side note knowledge for ya: John Deere calls theirs Load & Depth control. Load being Draft, and Depth being Position. Ya know, that way people can get more easily confused. LOL! Oh, and Deere & several other manufacturers used lower draft arm sensing through the "load shaft" in their 3-pt hitch designs, from around 1960 & newer, on average. Deere generally didn't use top-link sensing in the majority of their 3-pt hitch designs. If a tractor is equipped with 3-pt hitch draft control, it will only be one of two type: Either... 1.) Top-link sensing (via a very heavy coil or leaf spring) - Or - 2.) Load shaft sensing (via the "flex" or "bow" in the lower draft arm cross-shaft).

[@markpalmer7832]

It's in the ownersanual

[@kensherwin4544]

Yet another way to explain the draft control setting is that it controls the amount of horizontal FORCE the arms are applying to pull the implement. If the implement starts pulling harder, it is raised until the pulling force the implement needs matches the setting on the big handle. Similarly, if the implement start pulling easier, the implement is allowed to sink, increasing the required pull. Horizontal force control as opposed to vertical position control.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Excellent description! It's amazing the mechanics of the top link allow the system to react to the situation.

[@bradwiebelhaus7065]

Good video.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks for the visit! We appreciate you watching and leaving a comment. Every click of the "like" button, and comment, helps this video get promoted to a larger audience. Thank you for the support. If you're not already a subscriber - we'd appreciate if you'd consider subscribing. :)

[@jaysaw8151]

Really want one ..I'm stuck with alota worn out sears and speedex tractors

[@shawngleason1345]

Seems pretty high tech for 1948

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Indeed! Henry Ford and Harry Ferguson were innovators. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment.

[@jamesaydelott5833]

Up is position Control for holding lift at a determined point. Down position is draft for auto leveling while plowing.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@edpetrocelli2633]

I have a Dexta and it`s very much like your 8n

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks! I've never seen a Dexta - I'll have to look them up.

[@edpetrocelli2633]

@@PurpleCollarLife mINE IS A 1959 Diesel 3 banger.

[@glen1arthur]

Thank you.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

You're welcome! Thanks for taking the time to watch and leave a comment. Every comment, click of the "like" button, and click of "subscribe" helps our small channel grow. We appreciate your support.

[@braydenlowe2024]

Can you please make a store tour video at the Family Farm and Home in Erie Pennsylvania?

[@TheFurryWayFarmer1999]

I got 801 powermaster and a 601 workmaster they both have those levers as well never knew what they were but instead of the lever facing upwards like that the levers actually go sideways and push it down and it faces vertical

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Yep - good point. On our 641 Ford Workmaster, for normal operation, the lever is horizontal

[@carlthornton3076]

Very Good!

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks! We appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. Every comment, click of the "like" button, and subscription click, helps our small channel grow.

[@dudleycornman1624]

When in draft mode using a plow and the 3-pt lift raises up it in effect boosts traction by attempting to lift the front of the tractor...

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@DD-uf2uo]

Old retired man here from the Southeast USA. This is the first video of yours I have seen, so maybe you have already did a video on this subject below. Is there any device that can make the Tractor Engine shut off if some Idiot like myself were to fall off of it after drinking a little to much Moonshine while plowing? Thanks in advance. .

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks for watching from the southeast! These old tractors do not have any seat shut off safety switch - which is a newer technology you'd maybe appreciate on a newer machine. :) Unfortunately, many people disable this new technology on the new machines. :)

[@DD-uf2uo]

@@PurpleCollarLife Thanks for the reply. What I had in mind is something used on a boat. I don't know how it works for sure, but if the driver leaves the seat a cord attached to him/her is pulled causing the engine to shut off. I thought maybe an after market item (add on) might be available for a tractor. ✔️ .

[@steverulien8042]

PTO engagement lever. Wonderful tractor.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

The PTO engagement lever is on the other side of the tractor (left side), on the body of the tractor by the rear axle, just behind the foot rest. This lever we're showing is the Position Control lever. The video explains how it works and when to use it, with the hydraulic touch control lever.

[@danielson101]

Nice !

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks!

[@fastinradfordable]

Smooth machine.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Indeed it is! It's been a great runner.

[@RCAFpolarexpress]

Nice Ford Bronco 💖😇👍🍻

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thank you! It's a fun vehicle to drive around on a nice day. :)

[@alanbottorff9693]

Looks like the same operation for the 900 series as well. I have one of the 900's

[@PurpleCollarLife]

I've never had an opportunity to drive one of the 800 or 900 series. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment!

[@georgesheffield1580]

Correct description of the lever and its use . I do miss the hi/ low range of my MF's and their gas and diesels engines

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks! We appreciate you watching and leaving a comment. I've never had the pleasure of driving a Massey - but I did always really like the high and low range on our Cockshutt 540 tractor (and the live PTO, live hydraulics, and power steering!). kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6fOZGOCbaiNi7c

[@winterhorse290]

I don’t own an 8N, but I like to know this. Thanks

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks!

[@ehsnils]

I'm mostly surprised that the constant draft control functionality is that old, I thought that it was something that appeared in the 60's.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

It was certainly pretty innovative for the late 1940's! Thanks for watching and leaving a comment.

[@dpeter6396]

That was Fergesons patent feature!!

[@leonardwhittemore5805]

Where do you find the year it was made, I have a couple different numbers?

[@PurpleCollarLife]

The serial number will be a plate on the side of the engine, below the head near the oil filter and just below the sediment bowl. Once you see that number (it will start with 8N if it's an 8N tractor), you can use the number to determine the year it was made. Here's the list: 9N: 1939 9N1 to 10233 1940 9N10234 to 45975 1941 9N45976 to 88887 1942 9N88888 to 99002 2N: 1942 9N99003 to 105374 1943 9N105375 to 126537 1944 9N126538 to 169981 1945 9N169982 to 198730 1946 9N198731 to 258503 1947 9N258504 to 296131 8N: 1947 8N1 to 37907 1948 8N37908 to 141369 1949 8N141370 to 245636 1950 8N245637 to 363592 1951 8N363593 to 442034 1952 8N442035 to 524076 NAA: 1953 NAA1 to 77474 1954 NAA77475 to128965

[@leonardwhittemore5805]

Mine is a 2n thank you very much. Appreciate you taking time to help me out.

[@johnbeebe1190]

Like a locker, it makes both rear tires work together 😁

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Incorrect - thanks for playing. :) Maybe you already know the correct answer from watching the video.

[@rustneversleeps01]

Only a few models had ejection seats . Those that had them were disabled for obvious safety concerns

[@PurpleCollarLife]

That is accurate. We actually still have the ejection seat on our 641 (shhh - don't tell the government). It's handy for when the ground bees start attacking me after brush hogging over their nest. One quick flip of that ejection lever and I'm out of harm's way quickly. :)

[@born2soon]

I need a tutorial on Sherman Transmissions. My 51 8N has one. I can do 28 past the high school (Speed Limit 35 mph) just in middle 4th. Am I going to go faster in High?

[@davidkuehne476]

They're way faster than you'd reasonably want to go on it. Look down at those tires and think about that (and where the thing keeps going after it pulverizes you). Because it has that much power and that ratio doesn't mean you're supposed to put them together, you might want to creep in a high gear when you don't need torque. tractors scoot but don't have the suspension or steering to handle it, it's not a number you need to explore.

[@Transit_Biker]

These Fords are all over Pennsylvania.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

I always enjoy when we're driving around and see one in use at a house.