9N road trip?

[ScoutB]

The 1940 9N that I brought back to life last fall after 20 years is needed at my cottage for some back blade work. I don't have a truck or a trailer big enough to get it there so I'm thinking about driving it the 14 miles. From what I've been able to determine, that would be about a 1 hour drive. I don't have much seat time in this tractor (6-8 hours of snowplowing last winter) so I'm not sure what to expect. The tires are good, the front end is a bit loose but seems to track fine at top speed, the engine burns a bit of oil and has some blow-by, the oil and filter are new as is the coolant, and the hydraulic fluid hasn't been changed but looks good on the dipstick. Should I go for it? Will a full tank of gas get me there? Do I need anything besides the reflector triangle on the back to make me street legal? Obviously I'd be doing this during daylight hours. It also helps that it's country roads all the way.

 

[Royse]

We've driven ours a lot farther than that and they seem to do fine.
A tank of gas will get you there, but I wouldn't expect it to do
much work and then come back on that same tank.
A stick dipped in the tank will tell you how much you have.
If someone is bringing a gas can, have them bring oil too. JIC.

The SMV sign is still legal in daylight AFAIK here in Ionia County,
but you need to really pay attention to the cidiots on the road.
Particularly behind you as they approach. If you are making a
left turn, they won't know it and will try to pass.

If you are going to leave it at the cottage overnight, give some
though to securing it. Kids like to joy ride and/or steal gas.

 

[killroy]

when the 2n of granddads came home the first time it was about a 30 mile trip. it came along just fine. he had grama and a gas can following along.

 

[oldtanker]

I've driven my 8N's 7-8 miles to do some work with. Not a problem as far as I can see. may not be a bad idea to have someone follow you if you can with flashers on. A pickup or decent sides car will take impact from a idiot drive a lot better that a 9N.

Rick

 

[Tracy Brown]

I might take a muffler clamp and fix a mirror off the air intake stack to keep an eye on traffic coming up behind me. That would relieve the need to be rubbernecking the whole trip there (and back).

 

[ericlb]

if its reliable [ no shut downs back in the snow], strap on couple 5 gal cans of gas and a quart or 2 of oil and head er out, the slow moving vehicle triangle is mandatory and it would be a good idea to make the run mid morning, after 9 when at least some of the idiots have lit at work somepace, after you do your work, if you dont have a shed bring her home,there are always low lifes around who will swipe the tractor or damage it, i dont leave my tractor overnite anywhere anymore, last time kids tried to swipe it, fortunatly for me none of the kids had the brain power to reach under and turn on the gas, they ran it until the carb was drained then wound the battery down trying to start it. hopefully you can get back before peak traffic hits but you should be ok on county roads as you drive always plan where your going to go if idiots approach [ you can usually hear a vehicle approaching at high speed], take it in the ditch if you need to, better than a hit,

 

[redruff]

No different than running your tractor nonstop for an hour of work, in fact probably easier since road travel is a light load on the engine.

Hit ever grease fitting, check your fluids and head out. I personally wouldn't run full throttle, I'd back 'er down a bit. Enjoy!

 

[ScoutB]

Thanks for all of the advice and the tips. Security won't be a problem, I've got a nice garage there. I like the chase car idea too but I know my wife doesn't have the patience for a one hour drive at 15 mph, especially with the blue haze from my tailpipe in my wake. I figure I'll get a 45 minute head start so we arrive at the same time. The rear view mirror is a good idea. I'll have to see what I can rig up.
The good thing is that I'll never be more than 7 miles from a place to drag it to if there's a problem.

 

[Fuddy Duddy]

If it's in good running condition it shouldn't be any problem. Be
courteous and let any backup of cars get around you any chance
you get.
I'd like to see better pictures of your tractor. Looks like you have an
interesting paint job on it.

 

[Larry Wallace]

ScoutB,

Drive er! Take all of the advice already posted and GO! Got a cell phone? Take it if it will work in the area just in case you need to call for back up.

You love it! You get to see all kinds of stuff when you are driving 14 mph. Enjoy it.

LGW

 

[ScoutB]

(quoted from post at 00:05:01 07/25/13) If it's in good running condition it shouldn't be any problem. Be
courteous and let any backup of cars get around you any chance
you get.
I'd like to see better pictures of your tractor. Looks like you have an
interesting paint job on it.

I think the paint job could be described as "unconventional". The last thing my neighbor did before he parked it for 20 years was to put this paint job on it. It's growing on me.

 

[Plane Bart]

Drive it like you said worst case it will be 7 miles from place to the other if it breaks down they are tuff old machines it should be fine Good Luck