Transmission Evolution

[Bern]

We currently have two Fords in our shop right now, a 1969 model 8000, and a 1991 model 8730. I thought you might all like to see what 22 years worth of transmission evolution looks like.

The 8000 is an 8-speed Dual Power, and the 8730 is an 18-speed PowerShift. Note that the lengths of the two trannies are identical, and either one of them could be swapped with the other and would bolt up to both the engine and rear axle housing. I would also bet that the PowerShift weighs at least twice what the other one does.

 

[Matt from Oz]

Hi Bern

That is amazing. I have driven an 8600 but had nothing to do with the later model, was this Ford at their best keeping things standard to lower production costs and reduce the number of parts required for the range of tractors? I guess what I am asking is would other castings bolt up as well?

Cheers

Matt

 

[showcrop]

Would my 8240 have had the same one as the 8730? I have had both the one from my 9000 and 8240 on the floor.

 

[Bern]

Yes, keeping the bolt patterns and shaft centerlines all the same keeps production costs low. If for example they made a change to the shaft centerline distance on the back of the tranny, then the rear axle casting and components would have to be changed as well. Not gonna happen unless they went to an all new model, which was in fact the Genesis line.

I made a mistake in my first post, the 8000 has a 16-speed Dual Power transmission, not an 8-speed.

 

[Bern]

No. An 8240 uses the "4-cylinder" rear axle housing, whereas the 8000 through 8830 use the "6-cylinder" rear axle housing. I know it's confusing because an 8240 would seem to be an 8000 series tractor, but it's not.

 

[Ultradog MN]

Both are much larger and newer than I'm familiar with. I just wish I could put dual power in a 3 cylinder tractor.

 

[RickB]

I grew up mostly on Deere?s and when I farmed on my own dime I had a shed full of green. One of the things I learned to appreciate about Ford tractors when I started wrenching on them is that they are a true component machine. Mix and match engines, transmissions, front and rear axles and you can come up with a wide array of models both real and sometimes imagined!

 

[Matt from Oz]

Thanks Bern appreciate you sharing your knowledge.

 

[bobwhitecar]

I would like to tear into that trans to see how its built

 

[Texasmark1]

Thanks Bern for taking the time to snap the flicks and explain the differences to us. From your term "Our shop", I assumed that you were at work and doing so triggered my reaction. Very thoughtful.

 

[David G]

Thanks for the pictures.

 

[Bern]

The powershift is full of clutch packs, gears, and bearings that all look the same. It's actually quite boring inside. A Deere powershift is far more unique.

 

[Bern]

"Our shop" refers to the school that I teach at. The 8730 belongs to a student. The 8000 belongs to a fellow member here at YT.

The 8000 tranny is getting a full teardown for some new bearings and seals. The 8730 tranny won't be touched, it was simply removed to access the PTO clutch as well as a nasty rear engine oil leak.

 

[Texasmark1]

Neat on your occupation. Locally is also a school teacher who restores tractors and balers and such as a pastime. I bought a '66 Ford 3000D from him that he had his class tear down, mike, replace the worn parts and put it all back together. He had a paint shop not associated with the school and when they finished with it he ran it through the shop and made it nice and pretty too. In 2007 I bought a new Branson 6530C and it was one of the tractors traded in....still looking pretty and running sweet. Since I also had a '65 3000D at the time, it was a tossup as to which I would part with....the '66 got the boot only because the '65 had more amenities I needed.

In my high school, I took Mechanical Drawing classes in the same building where they had Vocational Shops teaching woodworking, auto mechanics and machine tooling. We were in "urbania" so I doubt any tractors made it through the shop.