2N, 1943- New owner has questions.

1) Can't really figure out how you're supposed to get any use out of the left brake when you're busy working the clutch. 2)Everybody says to shut off the gasoline when not in use. OK, but why?
3)The hydraulic hitch arms have to be chained down to the axle when the loader is in use. Is it OK? They worked fine, when I released them, but the loader is then useless.
4)Having read the service manual, redoing the mushy brakes doesn't seem too daunting. Any secrets?
I'm very proud of my Ford!
Enough for now. I'll check in soon.

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Yep.....need 2 left feet (QLF?) Actually, there is a bit of coupling between the 2 whith some sort of screw inference scheme. Check the I&T FO-4 manual for adustment. Its not the greatest but been doing it for 60 years. 8N's have both brake levers on the right and you can do both at one time or 1 at a time for sharper corners.

Since the gas tank is gravity fed to the carb, if the carb float sinks it will allow gas to flow down and fill up the carb and the aircleaner and on up into the intake manifold and through an open intake valve into the engine and when you crank the engine with the starter you will compress the gas and hydraulic lock may brake your crankshaft or blow off you cylinderhead. This is why they tell you to turn the gas valve off under the gas tank.

This is a popular scheme to use the tractor's internal hydraulic pump to operate the front end loader. As you find out, it disables the 3-point lift arms. Not a great deal. Some loaders use an external hydraulic pump driven by the front crankshaft pully by a stinger. This way you have lift to the bucket and have the 3PH too. Most honest N-Owners will secretly admit the N-tractor is not the greatest frontend loader machine, but if that all ya' got and that what ya' want, thats the trade-offs and sacrafices ya' make.

Mushey brakes are usually caused by leaky axle shaft seals, ya' need to replace them with "sure-seals" too.

Read you manuals and check the "archives" at the top of the page. You'll get the answers you need. The neat thing about N-Tractors, many think there "cute" but they will do a days work. Part are reasonable and available. And then there is this great resource the "N-Board"..... .Welcome friend..... .Dell

2) Because, unlike in automobiles and such, the gas tank is well above the carburetor and so the float valve is under constant pressure. Every float valve leaks a little bit. If left unattended with the gas on, eventually the carb will overflow, and the gas may fill the inlet tract, the air hose and (in extreme cases) the manifold, cylinders, timing chest and pretty much all of the engine.

When you crank an engine in that condition, if the fire and explosion doesn't kill you, the damage done to the motor will make your wallet some sick.

3) Yes. That's how that loader works. No, it does no harm.

4) Doing leaky brakes is mostly hard dirty work, no great secrets to it. Be aware that 90% of oily brkaes are caused, not by bad seals, but by oil leaks through the shim stacks between the axle extension and the bearing housing. Attention to cleanliness and plenty of gasket cement here will pay a big dividend.

HTH

llater,

llamas