Tractor run advice needed

pixer

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I.
I mrecently sighned up for a 60 mile plus tractor run, never been on one before, I want to put a comfortable seat on my 8n, any ideas? Also what speed group should I opt for. Any other things I should do or bring
 
Hm, 60 miles. I've never done one and don't intend to do it. But, here is where I would be if I did.
8N without a Sherman trans., maybe 10 mph. That is a solid 6 hours of driving not allowing for potty or food breaks.
First, are your brakes good? Can you apply both equally? Next, a Slow Moving Vehicle sign (SMV). Consider a carryall on the hitch, or a small trailer, to carry some extra gasoline, oil and a cooler for water, maybe food. A standard tractor seat cushion provides ample comfort unless you have some special needs. Lights? A flashing light? Some basic tools for the unexpected. Clothing appropriate for the weather and possibly rain gear. More may come to mind and others who may have done this may have some great ideas.
 
Seems like a lot to me too maybe I added wrong I would like to buy a seat with a back but the two seen on line won't bolt to a flip type u spring
 
There are seats that can bolt to the top of the hydraulic housing by removing the stock seat spring.
Another thought is: how many tractors are making this trip? Convoys need support: police escorts? Technique: the slowest vehicle in the lead and safe spacing maintained.
 
Don't know how many but we're going over a major highway river bridge so must be police escorts at times should be fun
 
That 2 bolt pattern where the seat spring bolts onto the top cover remained identical spacing on most Fords till well into the 1990s.
So there are about a gazillion aftermarket seats that will directly bolt on in it's place.
Most of them are readily adjustable for your weight and length of your legs, etc. Some have armrests, some not. They start at about a C Note and go up from there. You can get them at any TSC, Fleet Farm, etc. Black, blue, yellow, green. Dunno if anyone sells a red one.
Bring a tow strap. You, or someone, will probably need it.
I've always thought an N with Sherman over would be an ideal tractor for a run like that. Some of the Case DCs and Massey Harris models had a pretty fast road gear but doubt even those could keep up with an N. Some of those poor old tractors were pretty slow. You'll be back home, done with dinner and probably in bed before some of the Minnie Mos, JDs and others cross the finish line :)
Have fun.
 
Here is an example of seat UltraDog mentioned. It has several available adjustments.

My 8N runs about 14 mph @ 2100 rpm, so 11 mph group would be ideal. You want some reserve to catch up and some reserve to back off of speed.

With a Sherman overdrive mine runs 1 mph for every 100 rpm of engine. With light weight and narrow short wheel base you don't want to run much over 14 for safety sake. I still like 14 mph, but engine sounds more relaxed at 1400 rather than 2100 rpm. But, you take what you got, and learn to adapt to the conditions.

Take it out for a several mile drive before you go. Get the feel of it at different speeds and you may find some things that need attention before you go.

SMV sign is a legal necessity, rear view mirror is a good idea.
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I have been on several the last 12 years or so, have done 60 miles a time or 2 most of time it's 25 to 40 miles then lunch. local tractor buddies around here, retired go anytime to a town 15 or 20 miles away to a restaurant for lunch, we run 10 or 12 miles per hour. In no hurry just enjoy the crops & scenery, the SMV sign is a must & mirror. There is some guys that don't have a mirror & never look back too. If you have followed someone with a flashing light for 3 hours you don't want one, maybe the last guy. Gene
 
(quoted from post at 18:45:21 05/02/17) Seems like a lot to me too maybe I added wrong I would like to buy a seat with a back but the two seen on line won't bolt to a flip type u spring

The seat below is on my MF202 but I'll probably put one on my 8N as well. This is the one sold by this site. It uses the same two mounting bolts as the stock seat uses.

It will also go on the "N" the same way. You just remove the big spring as it's no longer needed and mount it to those two bolt holes.. These seats are very comfortable. The springs are in the back behind the seat. So, they are spring loaded up and down for a good ride. Also adjustable front to back. A very good seat for the price.

DSC03746_zpsbqdqb9ld.jpg
 

Sorry, but I really don't understand why anyone would want to drive 60 miles on an "N" tractor. The only way I'd try it is if I had a buddy with a trailer following behind me, ready to pick me up. Two hours mowing a field or scraping roads is enough for me.

I don't even like driving 60 miles in a car let alone doing it in a 67 year old tractor.
 

I've done 15 miles on mine and it's really enjoyable - wind in your hair and bugs in your teeth and all that. Plus, I stuck to back roads that I would never have seen otherwise. Some day I hope to do the Mackinac Bridge ride here in Michigan.
 

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