New Proof Meter not working

[djmarch]

I replaced my proof meter in my 51 8N due to the face was hardly readable from all the years. Cable threaded on the back screwed on just fine. Is it possible the rod inside has broken ? Appreciate all comments. TIA

 

[Bob Bancroft]

I replaced my proof meter in my 51 8N due to the face was hardly readable from all the years. Cable threaded on the back screwed on just fine. Is it possible the rod inside has broken ? Appreciate all comments. TIA

If you unhook the cable you should be able to stick a small screwdriver into the socket where the drive cable goes in- spin the screwdriver(you have to go the correct way) and you should see the needle jump. Your drive cable is probably bad.

 

[djmarch]

If you unhook the cable you should be able to stick a small screwdriver into the socket where the drive cable goes in- spin the screwdriver(you have to go the correct way) and you should see the needle jump. Your drive cable is probably bad.

Thanks for the info. Would you happen to know if that would be counter clockwise, or clockwise looking at the rear of the meter ?

 

[Bob Bancroft]

Thanks for the info. Would you happen to know if that would be counter clockwise, or clockwise looking at the rear of the meter ?

You can usually tell by which way the needle goes. But if you spin it the wrong way, nothing happens. If you spin it the correct way, the needle should jump up a little from zero into the numbers.

 

[KCTractors]

I replaced my proof meter in my 51 8N due to the face was hardly readable from all the years. Cable threaded on the back screwed on just fine. Is it possible the rod inside has broken ? Appreciate all comments. TIA

I bought one from this site, had it on the shelf for awhile. Just installed it on a tractor, the RPM's work, hour meter no go. Too bad for me.

 

[used red MN]

Thanks for the info. Would you happen to know if that would be counter clockwise, or clockwise looking at the rear of the meter ?

In case you don’t know, which seems quite likely, a tachometer uses a spinning magnet to move the needle to register the rpm, see the linked video. How a tachometer works
Old time mechanical vehicle speedometers worked on the same principle. Not a Ford guy, but looking at new proofmeter for an 8N available from this site it looks like you would turn it clockwise. Also when you have it disconnected look at the end of the inner drive cable and crank the engine. It should turn if everything is working correctly. If it doesn’t turn disconnect the end on the engine. Bend it around so you can see it while you pull it out a bit on the dash end. If it pulls out but the end that connects to the engine doesn’t disappear then the inner cable has broke in the housing.

 

[djmarch]

In case you don’t know, which seems quite likely, a tachometer uses a spinning magnet to move the needle to register the rpm, see the linked video. How a tachometer works
Old time mechanical vehicle speedometers worked on the same principle. Not a Ford guy, but looking at new proofmeter for an 8N available from this site it looks like you would turn it clockwise. Also when you have it disconnected look at the end of the inner drive cable and crank the engine. It should turn if everything is working correctly. If it doesn’t turn disconnect the end on the engine. Bend it around so you can see it while you pull it out a bit on the dash end. If it pulls out but the end that connects to the engine doesn’t disappear then the inner cable has broke in the housing.

I will disconnect the cable at the proof meter and crank the engine to see if the shaft turns.. Good suggestion...Thanks

 

[John P.]

I bought one from this site, had it on the shelf for awhile. Just installed it on a tractor, the RPM's work, hour meter no go. Too bad for me.

I'm in the same boat, as it's still sitting on the shelf. I sure hope it works!

 

[djmarch]

I'm in the same boat, as it's still sitting on the shelf. I sure hope it works!

Sorry to hear that. Parts are all aftermarket on these old tractors. Even from reputable sources.

 

[johnnmr]

I bought a new aftermarket 1 for my 861 last winter, tach worked fine but the hour meter ran 10x too fast.

New =/= good

 

[Jim in LA]

I bought one from here a couple years ago for my ‘51 and it ran BACKWARDS. I bought another on from a competitor,made in a different country and it worked.

 

[djmarch]

I bought one from here a couple years ago for my ‘51 and it ran BACKWARDS. I bought another on from a competitor,made in a different country and it worked.

Interesting

 

[djmarch]

I removed the cable from behind the meter while the tractor was running as one suggested. The shaft did not turn so more than likely the shaft is broken inside the cable somewhere.

 

[Jim in LA]

The new aftermarket cables are not as heavy as the OE ones.

 

[djmarch]

The new aftermarket cables are not as heavy as the OE ones.

I imagine so.

 

[used red MN]

The new aftermarket cables are not as heavy as the OE ones.

I am not giving them an excuse for selling a lesser quality cable, but rare is a tractor that it will be installed on that is going to turn the meter for 2000 hours. Even if one is used to mow an area for 3-4 hours the dozen or so times a year it will take a while to clock 500. In the link the cables YT sells are about half way down the page, shipping will about double the price. You also need to check the drive end up on the engine for rotation prior to totally condemning the cable. It used to be you could buy cut to length replacement inner drive cables at auto parts stores for the old manual automotive speedometers, they work to repair these. YT 8N Guages parts section