8n up-grade

Ken/Wa

Member
Thinking about up-grading my 8n to a tractor that does not need the pto engaged to lift implement. There is a 601 Workmaster on CL. What to look for on this tractor.
Ken
 
(quoted from post at 15:49:21 10/27/13) Thinking about up-grading my 8n to a tractor that does not need the pto engaged to lift implement. There is a 601 Workmaster on CL. What to look for on this tractor.
Ken

Pretty much the same things you would look for in an N. As far as the hydraulics go the 60 year old engine mounted pump is often a weak spot....

TOH
 
Ken,
You will not regret it.
As TOH says look for pretty much the same things you would when buying an N. Generally, after owning an N you will find them very familiar.
By the X01s they all had the round piston pumps which are pretty reliable but can be rebuilt for under $200 if need be.
I always wanted a 601 instead of an 801 because I didn't need all that extra HP and the 801s are so darned thirsty.
If it's a 5 speed you will want to decelerate going down a hill to see if it pops out of 3rd.
3rd got used more than any other and so detents and shift forks wore on them. The 4 speeds are bullet proof but no LPTO on those.
If your 8N has a Sherman and the 01 has a 4 spd I'm pretty sure could transfer it to the new tractor before you sold the N (if you do).
Does the tractor have PS? Once you've had it you will never go back.
If the tractor has a remote hyd valve consider adding a hydraulic top link. No more turning that darned manual one.
We're rooting for you here.
 
I'd guess about 80% of the 601's had the 4 speed trans and are called a 641. There were a few with the transmission PTO 5 speed known as a 651 and a few with a Live PTO 5 speed known as a 661. There were even a very few with the Select-O-Speed transmission called a 671 or 681.
If the tractor is a 661 with Power Steering you'd be real lucky.
 
Well a 601 could be one of a good number of models. there was a 621 a 631 and a 841. All had 4 speeds and the first 2 did not have one or the other PTO or 3 point. Then there was the 651 which was a 5 speed non live PTO and then the 661 which had live PTO with a 2 stage clutch and then there was the 671 and 681 both had the SOS system
 
I am going to look tomorrow. He says it has live hydraulics. What is the difference between that and live PTO? My 8n uses little fuel, I hope the 601 is as fuel friendly. I will sell my AC B and maybe the 8n. It has been a good tractor, but has a few leaks.
601 Workmaster
 
It's a 641 - 4 sp so no lpto, ps or remote valve.
Still ok. Looks like a pretty fair tractor.
Had a loader on it at one time though so look the front end over.
Live hyds are driven off a pump on the right rear of the engine. So any time the engine is running you have Live hyds.
Live pto is a function of the clutch. Has twin input shafts and twin clutch discs. Push the pedal halfway down and the tractor stops but the pto keeps spinning. Press clutch all the way down and pto stops too.
On an N the pto and hyd pump are both controlled by the pto. Step on the clutch and everything stops - tractor, pto AND hyds.
Wont hurt to try to beat him down a little.
You never know...
 
I guess that is what my JD 870 is. You can shift with half the clutch. There is a 4" Howe rotary cutter that goes with it. I do not need one, so will try to get him to keep it, or I will sell it with the 8n. Thanks for the heads up FEL.
 
As said, looks like a 641, not bad looking at all.
I see the cut out in the bottom of the grill, probably for a loader.
Someone with better eyes than me may be able to tell, but it
also looks like it has a hole in the top left side of the transmission
case where a Sherman auxiliary transmission once was?
 
decent looking tractor.
price is ok for a few years ago, just a bit high in today's market.
like said, check the front end because of the previous loader.
I'd take a floor jack to gently jack under the front cradle
to see how much the front tilts as the weight comes off.
not a deal breaker, but negotiable.
Check the fuel shutoff for leaks on that model.
Also, on that model, take it for a drive up and down a hill
if possible to check the operation of the governor.
Changing a crank snout governor takes some time to GET to it.
also, because of the loader check the clutch, tranny, rear
for good operation, and strange noises on your test drive.
loader tractors get shifted a lot
 

If I were going to spend 3 I would spend a little more for a newer tractor with power steering, live PTO and a hi/low set up and never look back... Your wants will be satisfied were as you will still have wants if you go otherwise...

Tractors that were used with a loader I shy away from... It has Two many issues to deal with...
 
I hear you Hobo.
On the other hand, where do you quit? Diesel?
Independent pto? 16 forward 4 reverse? Shuttle shift? Loader capable hydraulics? FWA?
Cab with heat, air and windsheild wipers, satellite radio and CD?
Might as well sign on the dotted line for a new Kubby, NH or JD.
Many if not most of these guys are entry level tractor owners with their entry level Ns. They didn't know about live stuff or PS or differential lock.
Didn't know that the Ns were never Ford's best tractor - only their first (not counting the early Fordsons) And they do get a lot done with them.
One thing I don't understand are fellows who will buy a $1K N and spend another $3K "restoring" it. If they had known they could have spent that $4K to begin with and got a tractor with the features you mention.
But live and learn...
I'm always enthusiastic to see a fellow like Ken thinking about making the upgrade to a better tractor though.
The first time you jumped on your 3000 you just had to marvel at the live stuff on it after using an N and just making do with it's quirks and inadequacies.
 
I have a JD 870 with a front end loader, this is to replace my 8n. This comes with a 4" rotary cutter, which he has not put in the picture. It will be a better deal if the cutter is any good and I can sell it. I will check out the front end for sure. My 8n has a few leaks and the tires are weather checked, so just want to uo-grade.
 

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