Howard gear and tiller

Point of clarification: I understand it is possible to run a tiller (albeit a smaller one) on an 8N if it has a Howard gear to slow down the tractor ground speed. Correct?

Point of clarification: If a Howard gear is installed, it causes more torque to the wheels, which may cause more mechanical damage. Correct?

Question: What size of tiller is "acceptable" for the 8N?

Question: Can I install a Howard gear and where would I find the parts?

You would have a shifter handle in the right side cover plate...

here is a link to a pic and some lit about the tranny options..

Soundguy

• Aux Trannies

Yes, the rules of torque multiplication with gear-ratio changes still apply. You wannna guess what part of the driveline geartrain becomes "fragle"? It ain't the 1-1/2Ton Truck ring and pinion used in the diffy.

The original differential PTO mounted Howard Rotory Hoe was 5-ft wide.

Back in the 70's, when I lived in the grapevine country around Lodi, Calif. 8N type tractors were pulling auxillary engined rototillers down the rows between the grapevines. I have NO IDEA who made these 3-point lifted aux-engined rototillers.

Bottom line, yer 8N is a 2-bottom designed, 4-mph, 3-acre/hr plowin' tool. With the 3.5:1 gear reduction of the rare and fragle Howard gearbox, you turn it into a 1-mph, 1-acre/hr wimp.

Iff'n ya just gotta have a rototillering tractor, SELL yer 8N and buy a modern diesel tractor that will rototill. Simple, eh?..... ....respectfully, Dell

Any good running 8N should be able to handle a 5 ft rotovator with little problem. Of course, terrain and soil conditions will be variables. The PROPER use of the Howard gears will not increase wear or damage to ANY of your tractor's other components. Misuse invariably leads to self destruction of the Howard gear and other assorted(expensive)goodies. The gears themselves are somewhat rare and expensive, nearly impossible to find parts for(other than bearings), and are only 1/2 of the tiller equation. I do have a nice set of Howard gears but they won't go cheap.

jim