8n balance point

[Pip]

I trailered my 8N for the first time today. I backed it unto the trailer and centered the gearshift between the tandems. I thought that I had a little more tongue weight than I'd like. Anyone know where the center is for an 8n without loaded tires or weights?

 

[Jim in Western MI]

Every trailer is different, and we all have varying implements attached. So I just watch the rear bumper of the tow vehicle and after I get on the trailer, move foward gradually until the bumper goes down about 2". My trailer is 16' and sometimes with a bush hog, I'm right in between the tandem wheels with the big tire..., with no implement, my big tire is over the back set of wheels. Too much tongue weight and you are carrying too much load on the front pair (not as bad as too much on the back, though!)

 

[JMOR]

8N owner's manual, para 128, page 28 shows 800# on front tires and 1400# or rears, so the ratio ought to be simple enough to figure. By my numbers the balance point would then be, 25.45 inches ahead of rear wheel center line or 44.45 inches aft of the front wheel center line.
Realizing that you didn't ask and that I have answered your direct question, I will add that I personally would load such as to achieve the desired tongue weight, typically about 500#.

 

[old]

I have always found that driving on instead of backing on works better and when you do that at least with my trailer you center the rear wheels between the axles and you have it about as close as your going to get it. I do that with ALL tractors other then the biggest ones and then I move the forward or back to get things just right. But I also have done lots of over the road driving as in over 1 Mil miles

 

[Pip]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to have to do exactly the opposite of everything I did today. This trailer is a 16' low bed, 10K# tandem. We picked it off a junk pile in a guy's backyard. Another one of those drive by finds. We converted from surge to electric brakes, from pintle to 2&516" coupler and it pulls nice. It has some inverted angle for stops in the bed. Guy said it had been used for a roller. When I backed the 8N on I kind of wanted to stop right on top of the stops but had to go to the other side. It has a nice set of ramps and your approach angle is low so driving up shouldn't be a problem. I'll bet that facing in this direction the front tires will be right at the stops. I'll bet my crotch is right between the axles and that's about where the center of gravity ought to be (lol).