Do I need an over-running clutch for 4ft mower?

Since, as you stated, you already have the N, and you"re looking to continue using it, and NOT asking what top 2 million other tractors options might be better/easier/more or less expensive, I"ll stick with a simple YES answer to your question.

Harry Ferguson patented his 3-point hitch and draft control in 1929. He put it to use on the Ferguson "Black" tractor as a way to demonstrate his idea. A few years later, he incorporated the hitch with a tractor built by David Brown. Known as the Ferguson Brown, it failed to take the world of agriculture by storm. In 1938 Ferguson presented his idea to Henry Ford, who was trying to develope a small, economic tractor to take advantage of the increasing demand for "mechanized" farming in the US and abroad. Ford had the marketing and production capabilities. Ferguson had the design. First the 9N, then in the WWII years, the 2N were wildly successful. Both Ford AND Ferguson were happy with their famous HANDSHAKE AGREEMENT. NO ONE "MOOCHED" anything. When Henry Ford died, and his son took the helm of Ford Motor Company, he decided to leave Ferguson out of the picture as a new model, the 8N was being developed. Ferguson was no longer receiving his "cut". At that point, In late 1947, Ferguson went to British Automobile manufacturer, STANDARD Motor Co. and offered to put their now post WWII idle manufacturing plants to good use with a tractor line. Standard was already building a tractor. Fergusons hitch, draft control, and hydraulics were incorperated in the STANDARD designed chassis. The TE-20 was born. Ferguson launched a lawsuit against Ford Motor Company.

The TE-20 was a slightly better tractor overall. Ford had a huge advantage with a well established dealer network and production capabilities far beyond that of Standard Motors/Ferguson. For those reasons, the 8N initially outsold the TE-20.

Ferguson was an inventor. He was NOT a marketing genious. His efforts to create a dealer network in North America never really got rolling. Even after establishing production facilities in the US, he never really managed to turn a profit. The proceeds from the lawsuit won against Ford for patent infringement were all that stood between Ferguson and "red ink".

In 1953, Ferguson started negotiations with the management at Massey Harris. MH had an established dealer network in the US and Canada. They had a big share of the North American combine market as well as a great line-up of implements. MH was behind the curve as far as their tractor line though. August 12, 1953, the 2 companies combined. It was termed a merger by some (Harry Ferguson primarily) , but in all actuality, Ferguson was bought out. He was paid off in stock in the new company. He stayed on in an advisory capacity for a few years, but became disenchanted with his ever DECREASING role in the design end of the business. Ferguson was also involved with the developement of an "all wheel drive system" he was working on. That took most of his time. (The 4WD system ended up on an F1 race car and is the basis of the all wheel drive system STILL used by Range Rover to this day)

Massey Harris Ferguson continued as one company selling 2 seperate lines for a few years. Massey Harris dealers sold MH, and Ferguson dealers sold Ferguson, even as the products became more simular.

November 19th, 1957, the company was renamed Massey Ferguson. The famous TRIPLE TRIANGLE badge was introduced. Ferguson left the company in 1958 to pursue his other interest's.

Design work on tractors was continued under the guidance of former Ferguson associate, Herman Klemm.

Shortly after Ferguson left the company, the "DX" line of tractors began their developement. (100 series/1000series) No single model since has came anywhere near the production numbers of the hugely successful 135.

Massey Ferguson continued on as one of the largest and most successful farm equipment manufacturers in the world until corporate raider Conrad Black got his hands in the till. That started a chain of events that led to AGCO's eventual purchase of MF.

Harry Ferguson made his name in the world of agriculture during WWI. He was the importer who bought Waterloo Boy tractors to the British Isles to sell as rebadged "OVERTIME Tractors". Just as WWI was ending, the Waterloo Boy line was purchased by John Deere.

Imagine the possibilities IF Deere and Ferguson would have linked at that point!

Though I have to agree that the MF-35 and MF-135 make the 8N look like a toy. I had an 8N once and I farm 23 acres with a 135. Twice the power and weight sure does make it work the ground well. To say nothing of having 12 speeds forward to match the task to the ground speed.

Gerald J.

They just have one "pin" you hammer in and then screw the greese zerk on. Takes a minute at the most.

I found it handy when you have to do a lot of backing up when your mowing. Before I got the clutch I had to wait for the mower to stop but with a clutch you can engage it without it comming to a complete stop and it just picks right back up.

Since your adding about three inches you also want to make sure the shaft on the mower that is comming off the pto is not to long. Shouldnt be a problem unless you mow in ditches but if you do then the two parts of the shaft can bottom out and bend. Cousin did that one time.

The rotary mower will still "push" your tractor unless you put the tractor in neutral.

Hope this helps.

as far as buyin a newer tractor with all the bells n whistles PFFFFF FT!
that 8N will still be shreddin when that new one is on the slow boat back to china.

• Hobby farm