Draft Control - 1948 8N

[Bill2]

My draft control quit working (lever in the horizontal position), but when I push down on the lever further as Zane once suggested, it lifts just fine. I removed the lift cover and adjusted the draft control spring which, according to the specs, was close to 1/8" too long. My question is this - I guess I'll find out when I put it back together, but how likely is it that the problem has been fixed by this adjustment? I really don't want to take out the lift itself if I don't have to. Also, I'm changing the hydraulic oil as it looks dirtier than I expected (it was changed 100 hours ago). I note there is rust everywhere inside the case. I don't know if I should worry about little pieces of rust coming off and working their way into the hydraulic system or not (the pump cylinder is not scored). I'm thinking of using a wire brush and kerosene on the inside case. Is there a recommended way to clean this if I'm not going to disassemble it any further?

 

[ZANE]

No you don't have it fixed! The manuals that instruct you to measure the length of springs is totally rediculous! It may have worked on Ford tractors when the linkage was new and not worn from 60 years of use but not now. The only way to properly adjust the lift is to use a jig or some other method to so that the end of the control rod that operates the control valve/s is at the exact spot it should be when adjusting is done.

See my link below.

Zane
ZANE THANG JIG AND STUFF

 

[Bill2]

Now it all makes sense. I've wondered what the jig was for but having never messed with this before I wasn't certain where it figured in! Thanks Zane.

 

[Dunk]

Although I do have my issues with information not being "free"ly available.

I'll bet you $10 Zane's jig is well worth what he gets for it.