towing an 8N

[Jim Beard]

I need to move my 8N with mid mount Continental belton finish mower about 2 times a year 22 miles to the Boy Scout camp (Camp Brosig). Farm-to-Market (FM)road all the way. Thinking about using this to flat tow it down there.... Anyone else use one?

5000 Lb. Capacity Adjustable Tow Bar

Haul-Master - item#94696
 

[old]

If you tow most any tractor you have to stay nice and slow as in 25MPH tops or you may find that the tractor would wag your tail badly
 

[Dell (WA)]

Jim........don't use a chain to tow. Use a 1-1/2"x10ft pipe with the chain inside. Otherwize, yer tractor will run into the backend of the towing vehicle. Putta SMV (triangle) on back of tractor seat ('cuz its higher that mower deck and therefore more visible) Tow atta'bout 15mph otherwize yer BIG ag-bar tires gonna BOUNCE all over the place. Me? I'd rent a "U-HAUL" car trailer and tell'em ittza old Ford convertible. Why? 'cuz ittza got BRAKES. .......Dell
 

[JMOR]

[Paul in MN]

The 8Ns I have worked on have too much wear in the steering spindels, tie rods, and steering gear box to even tow at 25 mph. Even at 15 mph, they can start flopping around from side to side and do damage to the gear box. I had one I was towing last year with another 8N that flopped the steering enough to destroy the upper shaft bearing in the steering gear box. At that time, it was going less than 5 mph. Some days if I don't have bad luck, I just don't get no luck at all!

Put out the word among the adult scouters to see if anyone can loan you a car hauling trailer. It is by far the safest way to transport an 8N.

Paul in MN
(former Asst. Scout Master who used to haul an IH 300U about 185 mi with 5' brush hog to Many Point Scout Camp to clear the area our troop would be camping in.)
 

[L. B,]

Trailer Trailer or Trailer,beg borrow but dont steal and use a Trailer. JMHO
 

[John in Mich]

Someone correct me if I am wrong (too often). I believe that to flat tow an 8N very far that you have to leave the engine running to provide lube of the top of the transmission.
Secondly, unless you have a very tight steering box and links, front end can shake itself to death.
Thirdly, what kind ot ground clearence do you have carrying a belly mower?
 

[Bill Rowles]

Somebody in the community would be happy to loan you their car-hauler trailer to mow at the Boyscout camp.......I'm sure of it, if you ask everybody that has a trailer. They may even volunteer to drive their truck to pull it (if the tow vehicle is needed too), if you buy lunch.
 

[JMOR]

[old]

The transmission would not be any problem since it is a splash/gear pick up lube system but yes the steering can well be a problem and if loose like most can cause the wag the tow car/tuck right off the road
 

[russb wa]

If a trailer is not available, you might consider just driving the tractor with the mower chained up. The speed of the tractor is just about as fast as you would want to go, if towing.

That way you will be able to know for sure if you are going too fast, which is not likely. Strap your bicycle to the mower for the ride back.

Hey, I'm only trying to help.
 

[John in Mich]

Looking at a cut-a-way, it still appears to me that the front portion of the trans would have no lube. What did I miss?
 

[old]

Well to tow one it would be out of gear but since the rear end would be moving so would some gears in the transmission and those gears would throw oil up and around so nothing would be hurt by lack of oil. Works the same way as if you where pulling a car or truck with a stick shift and when you do that the transmission in that car/truck is not hurt but the rear end is still moving the drive shaft so then internal gears in that transmission is still moving and oil is thrown up and around those gears. Understand where I am coming from??
 

[John in Mich]

Yes. Then the only explanation for being able to fry and egg on the top of the transmission after flat towing was that it was low on fluid to start with.
 

[Fuddy Duddy]

I don't know myself. But I know I've seen it discuss here before. The conclusion was you need to leave the engine running if you tow it very far.