3/4 drive ratchet/sockets tough enough for 8N?

10kpharo · Mar 23, 2017

Hi, all. I just bought my first tractor, a Ford 8N. Not going to restore, but will handle maintenance and minor repairs myself. Between the tractor and my tillage equipment, I see some pretty big nuts and bolts.

Is my 3/4" ratchet/socket set (hand tools) going to be enough? Did anyone need a 1" drive set? I don't have an air compressor, so I'm not interested in moving to air tools.

I've worked on cars for years, so have plenty of automotive grade hand tools. Any tools really specific to tractors that I should add to my arsenal?

I did try to search this topic, but I couldn't come up with a search term specific enough to really narrow down the results.

Thanks.
julian

Steve@Advance · Mar 23, 2017

Your 3/4 drive will be plenty, if you even need that.

Half · Mar 23, 2017

I have a 3/4 drive ratchet set, hardly ever use it. Biggest tractors I have are a 70 gas and a 720 diesel.

steve706 · Mar 23, 2017

3/4 drive is going to be overkill on most things on an 8N, 3/8's will be the most common.

rvirgil_KS · Mar 23, 2017

One of main uses will be on 2" nut on rear axle of 8n that torques to 450 ft/lbs. On it I would use breaker bar, not the ratchet

Dave H (MI) · Mar 23, 2017

I work on a lot bigger than an N Ford and I rarely break out the 3/4" sockets. There are times, but mostly it is 1/2" or smaller ratchets or my 1/2" impact. Not a big fan of impacts on old equipment. People get crazy and break stuff.

rossow (mn) · Mar 23, 2017

I have four 8Ns, do my own work on them, and have never had to use anything over 1/2-inch drive except, as already suggested, on the 2" nut on the axle. (Bent the 3/4 breaker bar on one of those 2" -- they can be tough to break loose.)

Steve A W · Mar 23, 2017

Half inch drive would be big enough with the long breaker bar.
You might consider a battery operated impact. I see more folks
using them all the time.
A good Fathers day present.
Good luck with your new toy.

Steve A W

marloweg · Mar 23, 2017

never seen anything on a 8n that i would call big biggest socket or wrench is a 15/16. 1/2 inch drive sockets and a set of wrenches will take it apart

JML755 · Mar 24, 2017

I've got a Ford backhoe and a Ford 3600. Like others, I only use my 3/4" on wheel lug nuts. 1/2" & 3/8" are plenty for everything else. 1/4" gets used for electrical connections.

Ultradog MN · Mar 24, 2017

I bought a cheap China Maid 3/4 drive socket set about 20 years ago and do use it on my bigger Fords. But wheel bolts and lug nuts are about the only place I need them.
Have broke a couple of sockets, the ratchet and breaker bar over the years but have replaced those items with good Thorsen, Craftsman, etc ones off ebay as needed. The set has been handy many times and if you ever get a bigger tractor you will be glad you have it.

rustyfarmall · Mar 24, 2017

(quoted from post at 12:27:26 03/23/17) Hi, all. I just bought my first tractor, a Ford 8N. Not going to restore, but will handle maintenance and minor repairs myself. Between the tractor and my tillage equipment, I see some pretty big nuts and bolts.

Is my 3/4" ratchet/socket set (hand tools) going to be enough? Did anyone need a 1" drive set? I don't have an air compressor, so I'm not interested in moving to air tools.

I've worked on cars for years, so have plenty of automotive grade hand tools. Any tools really specific to tractors that I should add to my arsenal?

I did try to search this topic, but I couldn't come up with a search term specific enough to really narrow down the results.

Thanks.
julian

3/4" drive will be handy occasionally. 1/2" will usually be more than you need. 3/8" drive will be your "go to" socket set. I own Farmall Hs and an M. I bought a well used 3/4" drive set at an auction many years ago. I think I have needed it only once.

Bob - MI · Mar 26, 2017

3/4" will be plenty big. Air impact is a must-have IMO. I split my Ford 2n into 3 sections using a 1/2" set with an impact driver. No matter what with the 1/2" drive I occasionally break out the 4-foot length of pipe to get me a bit more leverage because it seems with age you lose strength.

Bret4207 · Mar 26, 2017

(quoted from post at 16:27:26 03/23/17) Hi, all. I just bought my first tractor, a Ford 8N. Not going to restore, but will handle maintenance and minor repairs myself. Between the tractor and my tillage equipment, I see some pretty big nuts and bolts.

Is my 3/4" ratchet/socket set (hand tools) going to be enough? Did anyone need a 1" drive set? I don't have an air compressor, so I'm not interested in moving to air tools.

I've worked on cars for years, so have plenty of automotive grade hand tools. Any tools really specific to tractors that I should add to my arsenal?

I did try to search this topic, but I couldn't come up with a search term specific enough to really narrow down the results.

Thanks.
julian

Probably gonna have a lot more use for penetrating fluid, the "hot wrench" and those nifty rounded off nut extractor sockets if it's like any old tractor I ever worked on. My 3/4" set only gets used on crawlers or loader frames, maybe to bust loose a really tight and rusted lug nut. I wouldn't bother.

3/4 drive ratchet/sockets tough enough for 8N?

10kpharo

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Steve@Advance

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Half

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steve706

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rvirgil_KS

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Dave H (MI)

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rossow (mn)

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Steve A W

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marloweg

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JML755

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Ultradog MN

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rustyfarmall

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Bob - MI

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Bret4207

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