Proper squence - activating PTO and hydraulic control?

10kpharo · Mar 26, 2017

Hi, all. Sitting on my 8N today, with my reprint of the 'Ford Tractor Model 8N Operators Manual' in my lap. Sec 121(e) states, "depress the clutch pedal when engaging or disengaging the power take-off shaft when the engine is running". So, engine running, I depressed the clutch, and moved the PTO lever to the rear to engage the PTO.

With my foot still on the clutch, I moved the hydraulic lever, but the drawbar didn't move. I tried engaging/disengaging the PTO lever again. Nothing.

I set the brake, left the engine running in neutral and walked around behind the tractor to make sure nothing unusual was visible. All seemed good. I reached out and moved the hydraulic control lever while I was standing there, and the drawbar moved up and down as I moved the hydraulic control lever back and forth.

So my question is, do I depress the clutch to engage the PTO, then take my foot off the clutch to maneuver the hydraulic control lever?

Sadly, the owners manual seems to presume more engineering skills than I possess.

Thanks.
julian

Colin King · Mar 26, 2017

Depressing the clutch disengages the transmission, which is also what runs the hydraulic pump. So what you experienced is normal. To operate the lift, the PTO must be engaged and the clutch out. Push in the clutch, stop the PTO and stop the lift (though it will still lower).

Colin, MN

67Chevrolet · Mar 26, 2017

The 3 point lift will only work when the engine is running, PTO is turned on, and the foot clutch is not pressed down. The hydraulic pump is powered by the PTO shaft, and the PTO shaft on an 8n does not turn with the clutch pushed down. A 8n does not have live hydraulics, so clutch pedal must be out to operate hydraulics and PTO.

Den N Ms · Mar 26, 2017

10kpharo You say, So my question is, do I depress the clutch to engage the PTO, then take my foot off the clutch to maneuver the hydraulic control lever?
Yes, releasing the clutch petal when the PTO lever is engaged activates the hydraulic pump.

10kpharo · Mar 26, 2017

Thank you!

Ultradog MN · Mar 26, 2017

There is live hydraulics and non-live hydraulics.
Welcome to the latter.

Kirk-NJ · Mar 27, 2017

Others have explained how to operate I would just like to add when you are not running PTO equipment, such as a brushog, get yourself a PTO cover. It's a good safety measure and you can leave the PTO engaged so when you start your tractor all you have to do is take your foot off the clutch and move your 3pt lever to operate the hydraulics.

Kirk

Tim PloughNman Daley RIP · Mar 27, 2017

You're almost there. As stated, once PTO is engaged, in neutral, simply let out clutch, and then you can raise the 3-point with quadrant lift control lever. The clutch must be depressed in order to engage or disengage the PTO. Once either is selected, you can release the clutch. It was also mentioned to use a PTO cover when not in use like plowing, discing, or cultivating. Besides being a SAFETY precaution so nothing gets caught on the spinning spline, a cover will keep the weeds and trash from getting wrapped around as well as dirt out. Pictured below is from left to right, a later PTO cover used with the longer PTO shaft; an original 8N PTO cover; a conversion sleeve from 1-1/8 to 1-3/8; and the original PTO shaft and rear end housing. Either PTO cover will work. Get yourself a copy of the I&T F-04 manual and a copy of the 39-53 master parts catalog to go with your Operator's manual.

Tim Daley(MI)

Bruce(OR) · Mar 27, 2017

Good morning Julian. As was mentioned, welcome to non-live hydraulics. Depending upon your love affair with your machine, you can add a kit to it that that will give the machine the live hydraulic operation that you desire.
For a few pennies less, you can install a implement transport lock that connects between the three point linkage and the top of the rear axle. Just prior to shutting the machine off, you swing this arm into position and then lower the implement until the bar is resting on the axle. Also good for transporting implements around the farm without straining the hydraulics. Cheaper than that? Perhaps even free, is a large chunk of wood that fit's between the top of the axle and the 3 point linkage. I bought a tractor once that came with a large chunk of wood used in such a way.
If this is your first machine, I hope that you are aware that each implement you have requires it's own machine.
You can call it the "Tractor Rule" when you tell it to higher headquarters. . . .

John in Mich · Mar 27, 2017

If someone said, I missed it. IF you have a hitch on the lift arms and the stays to the top link in place, LOCK THE HYDRAULIC LEVER DOWN!

10kpharo · Mar 27, 2017

Thank you all for the comments. Happy to tell you all that the very first thing I bought after buying the tractor was a pto cover. And before I bought the tractor, I bought a full array of books, including the Ford 8N operators manual, the service manual, and the parts catalog.

Been wasting my money on old British cars for years - learned early to do the reading!
julian

Proper squence - activating PTO and hydraulic control?

10kpharo

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Colin King

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67Chevrolet

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Den N Ms

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10kpharo

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Ultradog MN

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Kirk-NJ

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Tim PloughNman Daley RIP

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Bruce(OR)

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John in Mich

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10kpharo

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