HOTFR8
Banned
OK, What did I miss ? What was the tool ?
Above 1200 Sq/FT Bailey's Barn Build
- Thread starter mwbailey
- Start date
Wokspaces above 1200 squarefeet.
Hey, HOTFR8, since about Post #256 -- and with advice from Omph, and support from Vern and others -- I've been wishing for a small Ford tractor. The Wife said I couldn't get anything else with wheels until we finished the house. Omph suggested that I should try the approach of not calling it a tractor but a "power tool". Well, the house is finished, so now I can pursue another vehicle, I mean, another power tool. I am convinced, after moving the 3 yards of gravel, that it WILL extend my life. However, had I jumped the gun on the purchase, my life would not have been fun to live -- if you know what I mean.
HOTFR8
Banned
Ah, got it. Sounds more like a Toy for you to play with.
HOTFR8
Banned
xtremek
Well-known member
If you look at my thread you'll see exactly how helpful that "tool" can be. If you get a 2, 8 or 9n, do yourself a favor and get one that is converted over to 12v already. It's not hard to convert, but it's just one more thing you don't have to worry about. I've used mine to pull stumps, dig ditches, grade the driveway, plow the driveway and road, and clear scrub and brush. I love my 8n, one of my favorite tools. Post a pic when you get it.
No problem, HOTFR8; I don't think The Wife checks GJ very often. Maybe before she does again, I'll have a Power Tool already in the workshop.
Thanks for the encouragement, xtremek. I'm not sure The Wife is totally convinced of the usefulness on an 8N, er, Power Tool, but she's willing to give it a shot. I was aware of your efforts (see Post #26 on one of your threads) and tried to use that to support my case; it must have helped a little! I haven't named our drive yet since Princess Lane has already been taken, and I'm not sure I want to try Lilac Lane. . . .
Thanks for the encouragement, xtremek. I'm not sure The Wife is totally convinced of the usefulness on an 8N, er, Power Tool, but she's willing to give it a shot. I was aware of your efforts (see Post #26 on one of your threads) and tried to use that to support my case; it must have helped a little! I haven't named our drive yet since Princess Lane has already been taken, and I'm not sure I want to try Lilac Lane. . . .
HOTFR8
Banned
How about Goferbroke Drive ? 
Well, HOTFR8, maybe Wentforbroke Alley would be a better name since I feel like we're mortgaged to the hilt! But I'm beginning to really enjoy the new house having settled in for over three months. I still need to finish clearing out and organizing the workshop.
I also need to clean out the carhauler if I want to pick up a Power Tool. Much of the junk in there belongs in The Wife's "potting shed" -- the downstairs garage. So, to keep from cluttering that up, I decided to construct a wall of pegboard (small) and pegs (for garden tools). There's no way that what I might design would be the way The Wife will want it, so I'm taking the flexible approach. I hope to install a cleat along one wall (the one with studs, not the cement one) and fabricate pegboard and pegs that can be hung from the cleats. That way The Wife can adjust and rearrange things to her heart's desire.
I've been using my small table saw on TOP of the table and my chop saw on the floor for projects lately due to the clutter in the workshop. Today I decided that no matter what it took, I would use the tables I made to work with those pieces of equipment. It took some work, but I got there:
The design was intended to facilitate the use of the table saw for crosscutting, but I needed to rip the cleats. The saw doesn't fill the gap between the two parts of the table, be it sure was more comfortable working with it at countertop height. Probably safer, too.
Looks like I left one of my Christmas presents from my daughter on the table -- Uncle Si's "Hey! Where's my tea glass" cup. Frankly, I don' think I've seen more than about 45 minutes of Duck Dynasty, but somehow folks associate me with the show. . . . Reminds me of years ago when I got the identical birthday cards from my mother, my sister, and a girl friend: a drawing of a ramshackle cabin with a hillbilly on the porch whittling and an old blue-tick hound relaxing on the ground in front of the shack. The inside of the card said, "Just sitting here whittling and watching the dog scratch fleas and thought of you. Happy Birthday." What did I do to deserve that?
But I digress. Got the long cleat cut, shorter cleats for pegboard and pegs cut, holes drilled at 10 degrees in a half dozen small blocks, and 6 inch long 3/4" dowels cut and glued into the blocks. Hope to finish up tomorrow.
I also need to clean out the carhauler if I want to pick up a Power Tool. Much of the junk in there belongs in The Wife's "potting shed" -- the downstairs garage. So, to keep from cluttering that up, I decided to construct a wall of pegboard (small) and pegs (for garden tools). There's no way that what I might design would be the way The Wife will want it, so I'm taking the flexible approach. I hope to install a cleat along one wall (the one with studs, not the cement one) and fabricate pegboard and pegs that can be hung from the cleats. That way The Wife can adjust and rearrange things to her heart's desire.
I've been using my small table saw on TOP of the table and my chop saw on the floor for projects lately due to the clutter in the workshop. Today I decided that no matter what it took, I would use the tables I made to work with those pieces of equipment. It took some work, but I got there:
The design was intended to facilitate the use of the table saw for crosscutting, but I needed to rip the cleats. The saw doesn't fill the gap between the two parts of the table, be it sure was more comfortable working with it at countertop height. Probably safer, too.
Looks like I left one of my Christmas presents from my daughter on the table -- Uncle Si's "Hey! Where's my tea glass" cup. Frankly, I don' think I've seen more than about 45 minutes of Duck Dynasty, but somehow folks associate me with the show. . . . Reminds me of years ago when I got the identical birthday cards from my mother, my sister, and a girl friend: a drawing of a ramshackle cabin with a hillbilly on the porch whittling and an old blue-tick hound relaxing on the ground in front of the shack. The inside of the card said, "Just sitting here whittling and watching the dog scratch fleas and thought of you. Happy Birthday." What did I do to deserve that?
But I digress. Got the long cleat cut, shorter cleats for pegboard and pegs cut, holes drilled at 10 degrees in a half dozen small blocks, and 6 inch long 3/4" dowels cut and glued into the blocks. Hope to finish up tomorrow.
HOTFR8
Banned
C'mon give the place some class. 'Wentforbroke Drive' sounds better an some Alley.
Well, I'm not sold on Wentforbroke quite yet, HOTFR8, but maybe we can change Alley to Promenade, or Boulevard, or something a little more classy.
We got the potting shed "organizer" installed today. I only installed one cleat backwards. And, I think I may get a request for a few more large pegs from The Wife. Maybe we'll start hanging things tomorrow.
You might notice the cleat on the center large peg in the photo is backwards. Oh well, 0.750 isn't too bad in baseball! And, it can be fixed (actually, I did swap it around, but since the holes were drilled "freehand" the edges didn't line up just right). After we hang a shovel and rake or two is when the requests will start. No sense in getting too far ahead of the game since I won't know if The Wife prefers the single or double style.
We got the potting shed "organizer" installed today. I only installed one cleat backwards. And, I think I may get a request for a few more large pegs from The Wife. Maybe we'll start hanging things tomorrow.
You might notice the cleat on the center large peg in the photo is backwards. Oh well, 0.750 isn't too bad in baseball! And, it can be fixed (actually, I did swap it around, but since the holes were drilled "freehand" the edges didn't line up just right). After we hang a shovel and rake or two is when the requests will start. No sense in getting too far ahead of the game since I won't know if The Wife prefers the single or double style.xtremek
Well-known member
I like the "Promenade" idea the best.
Your a smart man not getting in too deep and leaving it flexible for your wife.
As far as the "power tool" goes, something with a front bucket is great if you have a lot of landscaping to do. I wish the "Old Mule" had one on her. And yes I saw you were tracking my thread.
Your a smart man not getting in too deep and leaving it flexible for your wife.
As far as the "power tool" goes, something with a front bucket is great if you have a lot of landscaping to do. I wish the "Old Mule" had one on her. And yes I saw you were tracking my thread.
HOTFR8
Banned
I could have almost posted the same reply. Yes Ally sounds so back ally if you get my drift. A bucket on that 'power tool' would be essential and leave your self open to be able to add any bolt on options to that power tool later. 
Hey guys, thanks for the suggestion of a bucket for the Power Tool. I've looked into that a bit and had two issues with it. One, it's pretty expensive! And, two, it seems a Ford 8N is a little undersized/underpowered for a front bucket. I have seen a rear scoop that's a lot cheaper and maybe not quite so overwhelming. I'm a pretty cautious guy in my old age! I bumped into an old neighbor (that is, a neighbor from a prior location/house). We talked about tractors a bit and he said he was a little scared driving his tractor up a slope in his back yard -- so much so that he backs up it!! My boat ramp is gravel, which means it will need to be graded/scraped. My boat ramp is steep, which means I'm not sure what strategy I'll use to approach it. . . . But, that's counting my eggs before they hatch; I need to find the Power Tool first.
I'll check with The Wife on Wentforbroke Promenade. She just threatened to paint the interior of the potting shed AND the new organizer PINK. I'm going to have to go easy for a while; I was thinking of parking the Power Tool in there -- but not if it's PINK. We may have to use whatever she comes up with to name the drive.
I'll check with The Wife on Wentforbroke Promenade. She just threatened to paint the interior of the potting shed AND the new organizer PINK. I'm going to have to go easy for a while; I was thinking of parking the Power Tool in there -- but not if it's PINK. We may have to use whatever she comes up with to name the drive.
HOTFR8
Banned
May I (strongly) suggest you will need a roll bar as a serious safety feature if you are working on a slope. So many accidents happen with tractor that roll over with no protection. Also a tow ball mount on the front makes life easier and if you have some way of adding it to the bucket even better.
Yep, HOTFR8, I've thought strongly about a roll bar on the Power Tool -- or about not worrying about the boat ramp. . . .
But I got to get the tractor, first!
I asked The Wife if she needed any more pegs for her potting shed organizer rack. She said three more would probably do it. Then she thought some more, and decided on six -- three single, and three double. So, here they are, plus an adjustment on the one that got the cleat installed backwards.
When she stuck them on the wall cleat, it looked like I might have saved some trouble by just putting dowel pegs every 1/2 foot or so. The Wife said that would not have been nearly as much fun as making each one with its separate attachment. . . . .
But I got to get the tractor, first!
I asked The Wife if she needed any more pegs for her potting shed organizer rack. She said three more would probably do it. Then she thought some more, and decided on six -- three single, and three double. So, here they are, plus an adjustment on the one that got the cleat installed backwards.
When she stuck them on the wall cleat, it looked like I might have saved some trouble by just putting dowel pegs every 1/2 foot or so. The Wife said that would not have been nearly as much fun as making each one with its separate attachment. . . . .
HOTFR8
Banned
Yes, Roll Bar essential.
I can see how your wife is thinking. I see how much better they must look to a simple peg. Just think of the credit points needed to make that 'power tool' become an essential tool.
I can see how your wife is thinking. I see how much better they must look to a simple peg. Just think of the credit points needed to make that 'power tool' become an essential tool.
xtremek
Well-known member
I have seen a rear scoop that's a lot cheaper and maybe not quite so overwhelming. I'm a pretty cautious guy in my old age! I bumped into an old neighbor (that is, a neighbor from a prior location/house). We talked about tractors a bit and he said he was a little scared driving his tractor up a slope in his back yard -- so much so that he backs up it!! My boat ramp is gravel, which means it will need to be graded/scraped. My boat ramp is steep, which means I'm not sure what strategy I'll use to approach it. . . . But, that's counting my eggs before they hatch; I need to find the Power Tool first.
QUOTE]
I have a drag bucket(rear scoop) and the problem with it is that it is hard to controll the depth. As far as rolling, I've had the Old Mule in some really wild positions and haven't come close. But that being said, I'm pretty comfortablewith her, but still respect the damage she can inflict. So anything that will let you relax, but not become complacent, is a definite must. If you have to park it in a pink building, Will you have to paint it pink or purple or something?
Vernmotor
Well-known member
I want to see the picture of him sitting on the pink power tool. with a smile LOL
Mike.ASC
Well-known member
Just found this thread , where have I been ...? Very very nice progression .
Thanks, Mike. Glad you got my PM.
OK, the rest of you guys are having TOO much fun at MY expense! No, I will NOT have to paint my power tool pink. And here's why.
My choice of power tool
Attributes:
1/2 the cost of her choice
servicable
includes blade
newer model 8N with distributor on side
Her choice of power tool
Attributes:
Nice paint
So, here's the power tool at its new home.
OK, the tires are just about brand new and it's been converted to 12V with alternator. For purists, the latter may not be desirable, but it works for me. Now I need to find a box scraper. . . .
OK, the rest of you guys are having TOO much fun at MY expense! No, I will NOT have to paint my power tool pink. And here's why.
My choice of power tool
Attributes:
1/2 the cost of her choice
servicable
includes blade
newer model 8N with distributor on side
Her choice of power tool
Attributes:
Nice paint
So, here's the power tool at its new home.
OK, the tires are just about brand new and it's been converted to 12V with alternator. For purists, the latter may not be desirable, but it works for me. Now I need to find a box scraper. . . .
HOTFR8
Banned
xtremek
Well-known member
Very nice! I hope it works as good for you as mine has for me. The 12v conversion is the way to go. My dad has a landscaping blade that works pretty good for a lot of landscaping jobs, better than my back blade.
Thanks, xtremek and HOTFR8, I hope to make the Power Tool productive soon. This snow in SC has put me back a day or two!
I found a 4-foot box scrape for $200, unused but sitting on New Holland yard for three or four years. Then I found a 5-footer that has seen lots of use, but in good shape less rippers/scarifiers for $150. I figured the latter was the way to go until I found out the rippers may be up to $45 apiece. For five blades, that's more than the box scrape!! I think I'll pursue the 5-footer and some cheaper rippers. . . .
I found a 4-foot box scrape for $200, unused but sitting on New Holland yard for three or four years. Then I found a 5-footer that has seen lots of use, but in good shape less rippers/scarifiers for $150. I figured the latter was the way to go until I found out the rippers may be up to $45 apiece. For five blades, that's more than the box scrape!! I think I'll pursue the 5-footer and some cheaper rippers. . . .
xtremek
Well-known member
My dad has a similar blade but it's 6'. He got it with an 8n he bought and we used it for years behind it. He never used the ripper. He used/s mostly for moving that white stuff you're getting. So my point is that I'd go with the 5', it'll be more useful.
Hey, xtremek, you might get a kick out of this. I was Googling Ford 8N's to try to find out a little about the power tool. One of the websites was "Just 8Ns". It had a lot of good information. Then I noticed that it was just a few miles down the road from me. That resulted in a road trip a couple of days ago to get some literature and check the place out. He had several "show" tractors:
And a box scrape.
So, I got the 5-foot box scrape from him today despite the snow. Only ended up in the on-coming lane one time! My bad. Rest of the trip was uneventful, except for the purchase.
And a box scrape.
So, I got the 5-foot box scrape from him today despite the snow. Only ended up in the on-coming lane one time! My bad. Rest of the trip was uneventful, except for the purchase.
xtremek
Well-known member
Drop by the house, and I'll show you how to drive in the white stuff. lol
Well, xtremek, I appreciate the offer of driving lessons, but I think I'll pass on that. I know better than to drive a TWD pickup on ice going up a hill pressing the accelerator to go faster. Just a little fish-tailing. I didn't do that again, and I took a more-traveled road coming back.
Today's task is to determine the proper rippers (center holes, rear notches, or front notches, and size), pick up some lubricants (the doggone tractor holds almost as much oil -- over 6 gallons in hydraulics, transmission, crankcase, and air filter -- as it does gas at 9 gallons plus 1 gallon reserve), and maybe change the oil if the ground isn't too cold. Or, I could wait for the weekend when we'll have 60-degree weather! Also need to rearrange the shop to make room for the power tool. That won't be easy. Oh, and I guess I need to get the box scrape off of the truck. Hope I can find my engine hoist. . . .
Today's task is to determine the proper rippers (center holes, rear notches, or front notches, and size), pick up some lubricants (the doggone tractor holds almost as much oil -- over 6 gallons in hydraulics, transmission, crankcase, and air filter -- as it does gas at 9 gallons plus 1 gallon reserve), and maybe change the oil if the ground isn't too cold. Or, I could wait for the weekend when we'll have 60-degree weather! Also need to rearrange the shop to make room for the power tool. That won't be easy. Oh, and I guess I need to get the box scrape off of the truck. Hope I can find my engine hoist. . . .
horizontallyopposed
Well-known member
Cool stuff - I pretty much learned to drive on a 9N while spending the summer's on my cousins' farm. Of course, once I learned to drive it, that meant I had to go rake hay all day. Ugh.
Cheers,
Keith
Cheers,
Keith
I think a lot of us learned some driving skills on old Ford tractors, horizontallyopposed; I know I spent some time behind the wheel of one. On the other hand, some guys suggest that the only reason to own an 8N is for nostalgia purposes. That probably fits for me, but I hope to get some work out of it anyway -- and take the grandkids for rides. . . .
The Wife's friend felt sorry for the power tool sitting out in the snow and cold, so I spent some time this morning moving classic automobile parts from the workshop to the lean-to. It should be much more comfortable, now.
I also took a few minutes to unload the box scrape. After I change the oil and hydraulic fluid in the power tool, I'll have to give the scrape a tryout.
I also took a few minutes to unload the box scrape. After I change the oil and hydraulic fluid in the power tool, I'll have to give the scrape a tryout.
xtremek
Well-known member
Having only 10 acres, I'm not going to go out and plow the fields, but for us, I'm working it almost as hard as any farmer ever worked one. And I will admit, I'm teaching our girls to drive on it. Maybe even some tractor tobaggoning this weekend.
No tobaggoning in SC; around 60 degrees today! But, I figured it was time to get the power tool "in gear". Don't know the history on this thing, so decided to change the crankcase oil, change the hydraulic/transmission oil, and do a little lubrication. Couldn't find my grease gun; still hidden somewhere after the move. So, down to Walmart to get one and check on oil filter cartridge. No luck on cartridge, but came back with grease gun.
Tried to start the tractor, but forgot I had turned the fuel valve off! Ran the battery down while cranking. . . . While battery charger was doing its thing, got some grease in the joints. Probably the first time since early 1960's that I've done that!!
Battery still on charge, so checked out the oil bath air filter. From the looks of it, I wonder if the power tool had EVER been serviced:
This is all that was in it - no oil to speak of. There's a "fill line" about 2 inches up the cap. Cleaned it out and filled to line with oil. Need to find out how to remove air filter element. . . .
Still waiting on charger, so checked to see how many drain plugs would break loose. There are three on the transmission, one on oil pan, and a filler plug for the transmission! So, 4 out of 5 broke loose. Fortunately, the largest impact socket I have is 1 1/16"; that's what the 5th plug needs. We'll get that going a little later; too lazy to move the air compressor into place. It had been a couple of years since I've been on a creeper and I had forgotten that getting off of one was an art!?!?
Battery charging going pretty slowly (gee, hope I don't need a new one!), so checked out the glass bowl in the fuel line. Got the "clamp" off, but couldn't get the bowl to break free; figured if I tried too hard, it really WOULD break . . . free.
Felt like a lot of things were working against me, so I threw in the towel for today to check online for oil cartridge and suggestions for removal of fuel bowl and air filter element.
The newness of this power tool is about to wear off; back to garage updates soon.
Tried to start the tractor, but forgot I had turned the fuel valve off! Ran the battery down while cranking. . . . While battery charger was doing its thing, got some grease in the joints. Probably the first time since early 1960's that I've done that!!
Battery still on charge, so checked out the oil bath air filter. From the looks of it, I wonder if the power tool had EVER been serviced:
This is all that was in it - no oil to speak of. There's a "fill line" about 2 inches up the cap. Cleaned it out and filled to line with oil. Need to find out how to remove air filter element. . . .Still waiting on charger, so checked to see how many drain plugs would break loose. There are three on the transmission, one on oil pan, and a filler plug for the transmission! So, 4 out of 5 broke loose. Fortunately, the largest impact socket I have is 1 1/16"; that's what the 5th plug needs. We'll get that going a little later; too lazy to move the air compressor into place. It had been a couple of years since I've been on a creeper and I had forgotten that getting off of one was an art!?!?
Battery charging going pretty slowly (gee, hope I don't need a new one!), so checked out the glass bowl in the fuel line. Got the "clamp" off, but couldn't get the bowl to break free; figured if I tried too hard, it really WOULD break . . . free.
Felt like a lot of things were working against me, so I threw in the towel for today to check online for oil cartridge and suggestions for removal of fuel bowl and air filter element.
The newness of this power tool is about to wear off; back to garage updates soon.
HOTFR8
Banned
Sounds like it needs some TLC.
xtremek
Well-known member
I had similar maintenance issues. I wouldn't worry about breaking the sediment bowl, it's REALLY thick. If you break anything on the "Power Tool", you have that 8n place, but an alternative would be a local TSC. I know our local TSC stocks sediment bowls, among a ton of other stuff. I ended up having to used my small brass hammer on mine to break it loose.
Been a while since I checked in. I love the old 8N. There's a few still being used around here by some of the older smaller farms. I think the majority of them have been put away, restored and come out in the summer for the county fair.
Hey folks, thanks for checking in. Yep, a little TLC seems to be warranted, HOTFR8, but I'm not sure I would have thought of a brass hammer as TLC, xtremek. I guess I might give it a try. I've enjoyed looking through parts for tractors at TSC since now I have a point of reference. I ended up at NAPA today for an oil filter; my guess is that TSC might have had one.
There's a Christmas parade each year near here that features horses and tractors. NUTTSGT, I think many of the guys just keep their old tractors for that parade!! I hope to get some work out of mine now and again. But, I've already thought about which of my granddaughters would get to throw the candy out at this year's Christmas parade!!
There's a Christmas parade each year near here that features horses and tractors. NUTTSGT, I think many of the guys just keep their old tractors for that parade!! I hope to get some work out of mine now and again. But, I've already thought about which of my granddaughters would get to throw the candy out at this year's Christmas parade!!
HOTFR8
Banned
Brass Hammer 
, you have lost me. When I said TLC I meant a little maintenance to get it all back into good working order.
, you have lost me. When I said TLC I meant a little maintenance to get it all back into good working order.Vernmotor
Well-known member
brass hammer as TLC, xtremek
Hello HOTFR8, sorry for the confusion; Vern caught the reference to xtremek using a brass hammer to get his glass fuel sediment bowl removed! However, I agree, although this power tool had pretty good paint, I have serious questions about how much TLC it had received in the past. I felt a good maintenance effort was called for. Since I had already completed greasing everything with Zerk fittings, next thing was changing the oilS. The hydraulic oil seemed to be way low -- barely reached the dipstick -- and the crankcase oil looked pretty black and dirty.
Got all three drain plugs removed for hydraulics/transmission and felt a little guilty accusing former owner(s) of "neglection" -- the bucket I was using just about filled up:
Then I noticed it was a 3 1/2 gallon bucket
and the manual said it should be just short of 5 gallons. In addition, the plugs had a thick layer of gunk on them. Wonder what the inside of the hydraulics/transmission case looks like?!
Similar results with crankcase oil, but the oil pressure is now between 20 and 30 psi instead of less than 10 psi
. In the process, I changed the oil filter cartridge. But, I found that the oil bath air cleaner had a pinhole in the bottom of the cup. That's probably why the cup was almost dry. Maybe this calls for a little JB Weld. . . .
I feel pretty good about all of that AND I finally used the garage for the designed purpose -- even though I did the work just outside the door. Also, got the box scrape hooked up.
Looks like I need to practice a little to be able to handle this implement!
Got all three drain plugs removed for hydraulics/transmission and felt a little guilty accusing former owner(s) of "neglection" -- the bucket I was using just about filled up:
Then I noticed it was a 3 1/2 gallon bucket
and the manual said it should be just short of 5 gallons. In addition, the plugs had a thick layer of gunk on them. Wonder what the inside of the hydraulics/transmission case looks like?!Similar results with crankcase oil, but the oil pressure is now between 20 and 30 psi instead of less than 10 psi
. In the process, I changed the oil filter cartridge. But, I found that the oil bath air cleaner had a pinhole in the bottom of the cup. That's probably why the cup was almost dry. Maybe this calls for a little JB Weld. . . .I feel pretty good about all of that AND I finally used the garage for the designed purpose -- even though I did the work just outside the door. Also, got the box scrape hooked up.
Looks like I need to practice a little to be able to handle this implement!
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