unusual duties

[motorv8N]

hi gang -- my parents just got some backwoods property and, while all our neighbours are zipping around on ATVs and such, I'd like to go a different route.

Basically I've got two duties I need to accomplish:

1) Tow a utility trailer weighing perhaps 500 lbs back and forth to the local dump along mostly deserted back woods dirt roads. Distance is about 2 miles each way. There might be at most 300-400 lbs of scrap on it for a total of 900 lbs max load.

2) Tow a boat weighing about 2500 lbs back and forth along similar roads to a launch ramp. Tongue weight is about 200 lbs.

3) Maybe some light grass cutting over the septic bed.

So, while all these chores were probably far from old Henry's mind when he envisioned this tractor, I've been smitten by the 8N ever since riding one at my friend's farm five years ago. I'm an old airplane, old car, old boat nut so it's natural I'd like the idea of using an 8N for these duties and learning/wrenching a little on the side.

Questions:

1. What kind of speed can I expect to attain towing such loads on a road? I'm in no hurryobviously but a quick jog would be good.

2. Probably more important -- will I flip this thing over trying to pull two thousand pounds up a boat ramp with two hundred pounds already on the hitch?

 

[Dell (WA)]

Motorv.......you write......"1. What kind of speed can I expect to attain towing such loads on a road?"........your 8N in 4th gear is rated "about 15mph" full throttle. Iff'n you have the dealer installed "Sherman OD" aux tranny, 4thOD is about 23mph. Most of the time, yer frontend wobbles too much for such ridiculous speeds. Wear glasses and remember to keep yer mouth closed 'cuz buggs on yer teethies from grinn' taste yucky!!

You write......"Probably more important -- will I flip this thing over trying to pull two thousand pounds up a boat ramp with two hundred pounds already on the hitch?"........NO FLIPPY, but most likely NO TRACTION.......Gitta front bumper hitch $100 (cheap) and steer the boat trailer into the water and reverse climb the boat ramp.

BTW, yer 3-point hitch can lift about 800#. use a "drawbar lock" on yer 11-hole drawbar to prevent "rotation". More better would be the under the diffy "swinging drawbar", $100 (cheap) designed specifically for towing duties.........Dell

 

[Dean]

Motorv:

Dells right on. About 25 MPH max with a Sherman OD. This assumes decent roads with little or no grade. At around 25-27 HP your N will pull little uphill in 4th OD, especially if your tires are loaded.

As to launching your boat: If the ramp is not too steep and your boat is not too heavy it is very easy and convenient to maneuver it with a hitch attached to the front axle.

On the other hand, reverse on an N is rather high so you may find your self power and/or traction limited if your ramp is steep and/or hour boat is heavy.

A hitch attached to the swinging drawbar rather than the three point will eliminate nearly all possibility of rearing up.

Make sure that the brakes are in good condition.

Dean

 

[motorv8N]

Terrific guys -- thanks!

15 mph is plenty - I'd probably do half that most of the time on those roads. As for the boat ramp it's a very shallow angle with a hard packed sand surface.

Getting the trailer into its parking spot back at the cabin is a real chore with a car due to the proximity of various trees coupled with the hassle of trying to see behind you to do it so putting a hitch on the front of the tractor is a great idea.

 

[AM Seb]

Re #3, grass cutting over septic bed. I'd like to do this, too, with my rotary cutter. Talked to my septic tank cleaner and also County Health. They were pretty negative, saying the N would likely cause soil compaction around the leach lines, but didn't seem too sure. Anyway, it's lawn mower only for me.
You might check with your County Health and septic cleaners. If anyone on the Board has a positive answer perhaps they can enlighten us both. Good Luck. Angelo

 

[Sean (TX)]

(quoted from post at 23:26:22 09/03/07) Re #3, grass cutting over septic bed. I'd like to do this, too, with my rotary cutter. Talked to my septic tank cleaner and also County Health. They were pretty negative, saying the N would likely cause soil compaction around the leach lines, but didn't seem too sure. Anyway, it's lawn mower only for me.
You might check with your County Health and septic cleaners. If anyone on the Board has a positive answer perhaps they can enlighten us both. Good Luck. Angelo

Im with AM Seb, he is on the money. Stay away from septic system. Dont drive over the tank. It could cave in.

 

[motorv8N]

Gotcha on the septic, guys. I was wondering how much weight is too much.

Dang -- I was looking for every possible use in order to strengthen my pitch to the lovely missus and Domestic Financial Officer... :lol: