Purchased my first N Tractor over 5 years ago and now it’s time to open the “lift top cover” on an 8N. Never repaired one before but knew the day would come, so I collected all the tech data and pictures that might help for those 5 years.
The 8N lift had these symptoms:
- The lift was very slow to rise and would not rise on accusation.
- It was fast to come down [and] if the PTO was stopped the lift would leak down in less than one minute.
- The lift would sometimes only rise half way and not go any higher.
- The touch control lever did not move smoothly through its travel range. It actually felt like it was binding; although, it did travel through it entire range.
- The small Position Control Lever was stuck in the up position (position control). But the lift operated like it was in draft control.
- With the round side cover removed and the lift holding up a shedder there was a steady stream of fluid coming out of the ram cylinder.
Removed the lift cover and found this:
- The lift cylinder piston was NAA, the “O” ring was shot and the back-up washer was gone.
- The ram cylinder needed honing.
- The 8N540A2 position control link was bent.
- The 8N504 hydraulic control lever was bent.
- The cam following pin had some wear.
- The spring washer (lever to shaft) 9N522A was broken into two pieces.
- Washer 351502-S (hydraulic lift control shaft to friction plate) was missing causing lever to shaft to not have any tension.
Action taken for repairs:
- Replaced piston “O” ring and back-up washer.
- Honed the ram cylinder
- Straightened the position control link.
- Straightened the hydraulic control rod.
- Replaced the can following pin.
- Replaced the spring washer.
- Added washer 351502-S
Reassembly and adjustment remarks:
All research indicated this might be very trying for my first time repair, but not so. Two documents showed me the way:
- FO-4 Ford Shop Manual
- Procedure For Adjusting Ford Tractor Hydraulic Mechanism from the Service Equipment For Ford Tractor Manual (see links below)
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-
-
After straightening or replacing all bad parts, I reassembled the lift cover. I did not use any alignment fixtures, but found the pictures of them in use, along with a carpenter square and straight edge scale were all I needed to make the final adjustments.
I did clean and flush the pump and case, also put in new fluid.
Position and Draft mode both work great!
The 8N lift had these symptoms:
- The lift was very slow to rise and would not rise on accusation.
- It was fast to come down [and] if the PTO was stopped the lift would leak down in less than one minute.
- The lift would sometimes only rise half way and not go any higher.
- The touch control lever did not move smoothly through its travel range. It actually felt like it was binding; although, it did travel through it entire range.
- The small Position Control Lever was stuck in the up position (position control). But the lift operated like it was in draft control.
- With the round side cover removed and the lift holding up a shedder there was a steady stream of fluid coming out of the ram cylinder.
Removed the lift cover and found this:
- The lift cylinder piston was NAA, the “O” ring was shot and the back-up washer was gone.
- The ram cylinder needed honing.
- The 8N540A2 position control link was bent.
- The 8N504 hydraulic control lever was bent.
- The cam following pin had some wear.
- The spring washer (lever to shaft) 9N522A was broken into two pieces.
- Washer 351502-S (hydraulic lift control shaft to friction plate) was missing causing lever to shaft to not have any tension.
Action taken for repairs:
- Replaced piston “O” ring and back-up washer.
- Honed the ram cylinder
- Straightened the position control link.
- Straightened the hydraulic control rod.
- Replaced the can following pin.
- Replaced the spring washer.
- Added washer 351502-S
Reassembly and adjustment remarks:
All research indicated this might be very trying for my first time repair, but not so. Two documents showed me the way:
- FO-4 Ford Shop Manual
- Procedure For Adjusting Ford Tractor Hydraulic Mechanism from the Service Equipment For Ford Tractor Manual (see links below)
-
-
-
After straightening or replacing all bad parts, I reassembled the lift cover. I did not use any alignment fixtures, but found the pictures of them in use, along with a carpenter square and straight edge scale were all I needed to make the final adjustments.
I did clean and flush the pump and case, also put in new fluid.
Position and Draft mode both work great!
