PTO ORC/Shaft Change Question

AliKat

New User
Hey Everyone!

I've been using this site as a source of great information about the '51 8N that we inherited along with the family farm. After spending some time puttering around the farm with the tractor, once I got it running again, I have a whole new respect for anyone on the place that used the tractor for any sort of farm work! The tractor was purchased new for the family farm and has no modifications.

Along those lines, the majority of attachments left on the farm, which are not many (for reasons I won't go into here and am a little bitter about) are all ground driven. Well, I'm a modern sort of farm gal and wanted to get some more modern attachments. So I got a 5' R.M. Wade brush hog. Ok, Ok.. So it's not THAT modern, but for a farm on a budget it works. :D

To cut a long story short, I quickly learned that the PTO is not the same size as the driveline, a sheet metal PTO adapter doesn't last long when running a brush hog (it went an impressive distance though), I probably need a ORC if I want to operate very many PTO driven implements, and I've still got a lot to learn about that tractor.

My questions are..
How robust are ORCs?
Should I think about replacing the current 1 1/8" PTO shaft with a new 1 3/8"? The 1 1/8" PTO shaft looks and runs fine currently. At the moment the brush hog is the only PTO implement I plan on using in the immediate future.

Thanks for the advice![/img]
 

An ORC is a must when using a brush hog type mower. I would just get one that will fit your 1 1/8 shaft that has the 1 3/8 for the mower. They are pretty robust. I chop limbs with mine all the time.

Without thee ORC, the mower will push the tractor forward when you press in the clutch, which can be a dangerous process. I mowed a fw time with out one and it got scary at times. My pto shaft is 1 1/8 and have been running the brush hog for 12/15 years with no problems.
 
Like R Geiger said, get an ORC that converts to 1 3/8 and put it on your shaft. My 52 8N has the original shaft with the conversion ORC and I use a 5 foot hog all the time. Also use a 5 foot finish mower on it.
Richard in NW SC
a162239.jpg
 
Please do yourself and your loved ones a favor and buy a GOOD one. Some of these guys will tell you they are all the same. They are not all made the same. I have come close to being killed 3 times because the brakes on these things are very poor, this was after the ford tractor dealer fixed them, several times. Be carefull
 
AliKat.......as you found out, sheet metal PTO adapters are NOT very robust. You need the MANDATORY ORC (over running coupler) otherwize everytime ya clomp yer dainty NR-9's on the clutch pedal, the inertia of the BIG BLADES will BACK-DRIVE yer tractor into the corner of the barn, lite-pole, fence-post, over the BANK of yer creek. Unless yer sphincterly challenged, ya gitta ORC with 1-1/8 input and 1-3/8 output fer yer brushhogg. Yeah, iff'n ya park yer N-nose deep inna ditch, ittza 4-bolts and yer outta tharr. 15-min job. ...howsomevers... iff'n ya operated yer brushhogg without the ORC, yer probably haffta use a flame wrench 'cuz ya TWISTED yer PTO shaft and will haffta cutter outta tharr........HTH, Dell, yer ORC Safety Preacher
 

Like others have said get a good quality ORC. These are life savers.

My experience from back in the day. Dad bought a Fergie TO-20 and put a 5 foot brush cutter behind it. I was cutting one day on our field by the creek. Went to turn right when close to the creek and hog kept pushing me forward. Hit clutch and right brake with no joy. Finally got it around barely. If I had went over the bank it was a 4 foot drop to the water and the water was about 6 foot deep there. Would not have been a good situation especially with cottonmouths in that creek.

That was the day we put on the ORC and never had any issues. That ORC was on that tractor when dad sold it to my brother and still there when my brother sold it. It was in the family from about 1978 until the mid 90's.

Not going to talk about what happened to a bunch of Cottonmouth's that summer.
 
Great to know! Yeah, after I busted the puny sheet metal adapter I was looking at posts here and read about the ORC. Trust me, I became suitably alarmed and won't be running the brush hog, or any PTO driven implement without one. The 8Ns already have a bad enough reputation about flipping. Our ground can get pretty steep in spots, so the thought of being pushed forward is not a fun one. I know grandpa took the tractor all over the place, but I'm not that brave and a little shocked he survived to 94 after all the things I have learned about the 8Ns.

Dell, hopefully I haven't done too much twisting on the PTO shaft. It didn't operate very long before the sheet metal adapter became a pretty ornament. Also, I would hate to buy the 1 1/8 ORC just to find out I have to replace the whole shaft. There are worse things though, like running without an ORC.

hd6gtom - They have brakes?! Actually, thats the one thing that works pretty well still. I don't think they've been used much. ;)

Would the ORC that is sold on the parts section here be a decent one or does anyone have other specific suggestions?
http://www.yesterdaystractors.com/C670F_PTO-Overide-Clutch_673.htm
I'm in Portland, so I can probably find most brands locally.

PTO by Ali H, on Flickr

51' 8N by Ali H, on Flickr[/url]
 
I have a good quality 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 ORC that you can have if you want to pay the shipping from Illinois,it needs the roll pin,I can look to see if I have one,it has both grease zerts but some Idiot (me)
didn't put the roll pin back in.They are available at most hardware stores.My E-mail is open if you want to contact me.
 

I use the one sold on this site, but the new holland dealer in North Plains west of Portland probably has them.
 
All good info

But one thing to consider....

If you ever plan on running any BELT driven equipment it is Wayyy easier and cheaper to find a belt pulley for the original 1 1/8 inch PTO

There ARE 1 3/8 inch PTO belt pullets out there but are harder to find and more expensive usually.

Handy to have the option to drive belt operated equipment if you ever anticipate getting a cordwood saw, feed grinder, threshing machine, etc...

I been looking for a 1 3/8 inch PTO belt pully for a while now. When I do find them they are usually big bucks.

Good luck
 

You can get a good USA made ORC at Purvis bearing. They sell rebuild kits too. I'm running one of their 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 units on my NAA with a 6" Squealer.
 
If the other man did not take the ORC I would like to have it, I think it is just what I need, maybe you could take a peek at my posts and make sure? And I did not see your email listed. mine is [email protected]. Thanks.
 
(quoted from post at 13:55:42 06/09/17) If the other man did not take the ORC I would like to have it, I think it is just what I need, maybe you could take a peek at my posts and make sure? And I did not see your email listed. mine is [email protected]. Thanks.

If you're talking about Mike Groom's ORC, it's not the one for you. When you replace your PTO shaft it will be 1 3/8" in diameter.

His ORC is for a 1 1/8" shaft. I and others keep telling you what you need to fix your tractor, even giving you the links to parts you need to buy. You just don't seem to want to believe us.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top