Chains would be night and day. Also weight = traction. With loaded tires and/or rear wheel weights, an angled blade won’t push the tractor sideways as much and give more traction. Looks like you’ve mastered steering brakes, not just for steering, but to get the differential to send torque to the desired side.
Thanks, Cody. I'll be looking for a set of chains this summer at garage sales. You never know what you can find! :) Thanks for noticing that I use the steering brakes to get myself out of potential jams.
Ditto.... Plowed our driveway with our 8n alot when I was a kid and we would get over 120" over the course of the winter. Chains and weight. Chains and weight. Can't do one without the other. Calcium is the cheapest but it tears up rims. Rim Guard is just about as effect but alot more expensive. Also with chains not all chains are created equal. The link style chains don't work well on Ag style tires. The links get between the tire lugs and just don't give anything to bite on. Diamond style or H style are far better. But when you get stuck with those, you're stuck.
I have used my 9N and back plow for snow removal for a couple of years. I also have been using my Kioti with loader bucket and drag box. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. The 9N needs chains (or tire studs) to work better.
Thanks Gil! The old Ford tractors are amazing that they can do so much. I've seen some that have the front Detroit plow, that uses a cable to the rear 3pt arms for lift and lower. It's a cool system.
Yes back blades aren't the best in certian conditions I would spin the blade and push backwards when trying to get the snow so far off the driveway But the ole 8n is still pushing more snow then I will be at 75 years old !!!
@@JeffLillycrop I have spun the blade around as well. Generally I furrow the snow to the side and then use the loader to move it out of the way. WAY out of the way
I've found that when I flip the blade around, it packs the snow down and almost creates a sheet of ice - perfect for sledding, horrible for a driveway. I do need chains for sure. I'm on the hunt for a used set. The new chains are pretty costly!
I have a 1940 9N Ford. I don't use it at all in the winter but there was a day on this farm that it was our main source of snow removal. I don't know how you can plow anything without chains on it. I would be stuck with mine backing out of the shed. Your 8N looks beautiful and runs as good as it looks. They were and still are awesome tractors. Thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed watching.
@@PurpleCollarLife , mine has the Dearborn factory buzz saw on it year round. I get it out a couple times a year and use it. I have a buddy that is coming over this spring and we are going to tear into it and get it back to 100%. We are going to replace the coil, give it new wiring, a fresh oil change, and see if we can get that 80 year old tractor as good as new. He is a whiz with these older Fords and we enjoy getting to spend the time together. I will do a video of that project. I have done a few videos of the old girl running the buzz saw. People that have never been around a buzz saw tend to cringe when they see one operating. They are dangerous, for sure. Nothing I want to get tangled up in.
Chad... I remember those days. The same problem you had with the front end steering off line, happens when you are plowing a field. I spent more time driving with the brakes than I did with the steering wheel. My left leg would cramp so bad I’d have to get off and wobble around until it recovered. Thanks for bringing back those memories... now, please pardon me while I go put some liniment on my leg... it is suffering sympathy cramps!
Knowing how to properly use them is something even most farmers don’t know. My dad used to have to help other farmers, you need to look at directional forces. Offset to the right with blade back but angled to push further right, the offset as you back pushes backend to right front to left, while the backward right angle pushes back to the left and front to right. They cancel out meaning you can just back straight through. A model tractor is a great teaching tool to get the directional forces in mind. An N series can be a real good snow plow but in reverse, forward if snow pushes through radiator the fan will soak distributor and it will die. Above 18” snow this is a real issue. They are great chains make them but a half track makes them many times better than a 4wd. Yes I’ve driven a Ferguson TO30 on the bombardier half track and it’s insane. Do the work of twice the size tractor. If find old one, try going to rock quarries get 1/2” thick conveyer belts used ones so prestretched and cheap, cut into 4” wide by 15.5’ replace bolts and clear on exact same pattern and you’ve got new tracks. ARPs made nice quick change rubber and metal tracks.
Great demonstration. Chains will help but not the cure all. That tractor sure is a beauty, well taken care of. It's fun when you drive that workhorse for a while then get on a hydrostatic modern machine, big difference. I had the exact same tractor back several years ago. Loved it.
Thanks, Joel! We do really like that old Ford 8N. We'll keep it forever. But it is nice to have hydrostatic for sure - with all the back and forward motion necessary for plowing.
Our company had been plowing commercially for almost 40 years pulling snow with rear blades and front blowers. You just have to know how and be setup to do it. I've even done it many times in a 2wd straight blade behind a tractor without a cab but just at home, you just have to have the right size blade and know how to use it.
This made me laugh I was doing this for years with a “spare” Ford tractor my awesome neighbor let me keep for winters. Haha I remember the struggles well. 😂 He did have chains and I ended up turning the blade around but it was such a pain to do my driveway. I eventually bought a plow for my truck and never looked back! You sure brought back some memories.
I've been searching for a good set of used chains all summer - but it looks like people hold onto them like silver coins! I certainly don't want to spend the price for new. Thanks for watching!
Rear grader blades are just that - grader blades. They are not snow plows. Can you use them as makeshift snow plows? Yes, as long as the snow is not very deep. I completely agree that true snow plow blades mounted on the front work much better. Also, a good set of chains is essential when plowing with a two-wheel drive machine. Short of going with a front blade, one thing that would help is to use a rear blade that can be offset to either side, so you can use it like a wing and keep at least two wheels in the area cleared on the previous pass. They cost more but they're worth it. For anyone in a situation where they must plow in order to get out their driveway, they can't afford not to have a better setup than a two-wheel drive tractor with no chains, a rear blade and insufficient ballast.
I always thought that you should push the deep snow with the back blade, Not pull. Do you see the holes on the other side of you back blade? Reverse the blade and start pushing with the tractor in reverse. OK, OK @8:19 I'm sorry to hear about your neck. But that's how we did it in MT back in the day. If the snow is to deep. We would have to push it. :)
We’ve done some pushing backwards in the past. In addition to being hard on the neck, it also seems to bend the 3point arms. We’ve had to straighten and replace them a few times. The stabilizer bars do really help, since they keep the blade from putting to much side-force on the arms. The other thing I’ve noticed is that we don’t have as much traction in reverse as we do forward. I’m curious if flipping the ag-tires around would help with that. Thanks for watching!
Right on! I have got to find a used set of N Series chains. Either that or just consider the investment in a new set as a long-term investment for the tractor.
Ive run a back blade on everything from a Ferguson TEA 20 to an International 434 to a Ford 800 to a Massey Ferguson 270. Some with chains, others without - they all had challenges. I found the best machine to clean snow on a long driveway with a couple of small hills was our 1947 Massey Harris Pony with a spring mounted front blade - the tractor had front and rear wheel weights and rear chains. The Pony did a better job with far less horsepower than any of the other tractors I mentioned.
Nice Ford 8 N, thanks for plowing. The driveway in packed with ice under the snow so the traction may not be as good as it could be with chains. Also a sore neck can be a result of plowing with a back blade.
Definitely makes the work more difficult. Even a loader on the front would be easier. You could angle the bucket down and go in reverse. Thanks for the video!
@@emrythompson You're right - on the 8N, those two pedals on the right are the brakes - left and right. The pedal on the left is the clutch. I had a 9N/2N previously, and it's pedal setup is a little different. On that tractor, the pedal on the left is the left brake. Then there are two pedals on the right. The inner pedal is the clutch, and the outer pedal is the right brake. I might make a how to drive a ford tractor video. Good idea for the future.
Add chains and you would not have any issue plowing with those old fords. I plow with a 1948 Ford 8n with chains. It takes me longer to walk out to the shed and get the tractor out than it takes to plow my 400 ft driveway. Chains are the way to go
Those tractors without fluid in the rear tires and tire chains are extremely limited. If you will add those two things you will see the capabilities increase dramatically. I grew uo with one and watched my Dad plow unbelievable amounts of snow with it using a rear blade. They are not fast but actually do an incredible job but only if properly equipped. Rear tire chains are a must and we ran ours year round. They were never off the tractor for 40 years.
I'm still looking for a good set of used chains. I've watched for them at auctions and yard sales. I might have to bite the bullet and get a new set -but they're SOOO expensive.
I always like moving the snow before you drive through it. To me- it just makes sense. Here in PA, our highway department trucks have the plows mounted on the front. But I have been in states (Michigan for example), where I've seen they have the plow mounted under the belly of the machine - like a mid-mount grader plow.
These are such great old tractors. They still have lots of life left in them after all these years. Best of luck on getting your 2N the way you want it.
Chains are definitely the key. I refuse to pay the price for them new - but I haven't had any luck finding a set used on Facebook Marketplace or at an auction or garage sale.
First of all, you need to have a good set of chains, with on those rear tires in the snow for that kind of work. I have chains on both front and rear tires in the winter. That is what makes THE difference. Then you can move snow with that back blade.
Set of chains and you would be shittin in the weeds. Back blades do a very nice job with snow because they cover your tracks. They will do the nicest looking job of any plow out there and I've used them all
Thanks! I do hope to get a set of chains someday. I'm hoping to find a nice used set at a yard sale some day. Back blades do cover your tracks. We've also found that the back blade, angled to "press" the snow down makes a great sled riding track!
I had a 1950 Ferguson- very similar. I couldn't really do much with more than 4-6 inches of snow. Sometimes its better if you reverse the blade and back up.They are too light and the 2 wheel drive is not helpful. If a wheel slips try using the individual brake on that side.
Thanks, Frank! We do use the blade backwards sometimes. I've gotten pretty good at using the left and right brakes to get myself going when a wheel is spinning. I think chains would probably really help. But as you can see in our other videos, the John Deere with the front Artillian plow makes pretty quick work of it, so we don't use the 8N that often. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I plow with a back blade in northern Michigan but I do it with the blade backwards. I tend to do more pushing in reverse too. I run a 5ft blade and I think that helped with my 8n’s looks like you have a 6ft? Even with a storm that dropped more than 30” of snow I managed to make it work but it took some time. That said, I recently sold my old 8n’s and bought a new Massey with 4wd and a bucket and it obviously made life a ton easier. I still push in reverse though but pushing back big banks and battling deep snow is a ton easier. Gotta respect the classics! Way more sense of accomplishment using an old tractor and that’s worth something
Hi Kristian - Thanks for watching and commenting! You're right about our back blade, I believe it is a 6 foot. And the old 8N certainly is a fun machine to operate. I'm not very good at plowing backwards. First - it hurts my neck always turning around. And second, we've bent some 3 point arms pushing with them. But I know people like you who are great at it! Congrats on the new Massey! Do you ever miss just taking a ride on the 8N?
Purple Collar Life yeah all the time, at some point in the future I want to find another, not such a project tractor to use and enjoy. I was always monkeying with ours as they had pretty hard lives previously.
@@benscot5728 Thanks for watching and commenting, Ben. I've found that while plowing in reverse can work okay, it's not great either. In addition to really hurting my neck turning around all the time, you lose traction faster, there is the potential for the 3-point arms to bend, and the plow seems to "catch" on more items (the edge of the ditch, etc.)
No one else has mentioned the elephant in the room so I'll throw my hat in the ring... what about a snowblower on the back? It'll do the job no problem even without tire chains if you don't have big hills. Beautiful 8n. Way nicer than mine but who is judging? hehe
I've seen some snow blowers on the back that work really well. But unless it's a front-facing rear snow blower, you're still running in reverse all the time (hard on the neck). Also, reverse on the 8N is geared pretty high, so it goes a little fast.
Hi Kevin - I agree. I think only one of these tires is loaded with fluid. A bit more weight, and tire chains would make a huge difference. I've been watching for a set of N Series tire chains on Facebook marketplace or yard sales, but haven't come across a decent set yet. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Thanks! We've been looking for some chains. I do notice a significant difference since the tires aren't loaded with calcium anymore. This is the second set of rims/tires, because the calcium really ate through the original wheels.
@@PurpleCollarLife Oh yeah calcium will do that. I had to get rid of 106 gallons of calcuim I took out of the tires of my tractor lol. It was quite the job. You can use beet juice or -20 windshield washer fluid. Beet juice weighs the most and won't eat your rims.
I have no doubt that the JD with a plow on the FEL would work better, but a couple of things from a Wisc. guy that has been clearing our drive and small farm with an 8n and a rear blade for a decade. First, I would not try and angle it like that in what looks like wet, heavy snow. It is going to act like a rudder when you try and pull the blade which is not ideal. Actually only angling it a little usually helps the rear stay more stable and maintain traction. In light snow I might not angle it at all, and I am not shy about push snow using the back of the blade when it is in that position. Saves time getting on and off. I am guessing, but it looks like your tires are unloaded based on how easily they spun and I did not see weights. You can get by without weight, but it will help you move heavier snow more quickly. I have unloaded tires, as I have some soft areas on my property the rest of the year and I am paranoid about getting stuck. Otherwise I would load them. In either case, however, chains are a must. They would do you a world of good. As for direction, when I am trying to really clean the drive, I push it backwards. I will go forwards initially in deep snow, working the bulk of the snow off the drive before backing up to clean it off. Overall, it does take more time with the tractor vs. say a plow truck, but once you get used to it, it works pretty well and sure beats shoveling. I get that is a family tractor that has been in the family for years, but my 2 cents as I watched you struggle. Take care!
Chris - thanks for sharing your knowledge based on your decade of experience in a cold-weather climate! I think these are all good points that you make, and great advice. The tires actually are loaded (Calcium), but on the hard-pack, even the loaded tires aren't enough compared to what we could do with chains. Thanks for watching and commenting! I think your advice will help for the next time, and for others struggling with the same issues.
Chains would make a huge difference for sure. But as far as plowing backwards - I do that occasionally. It just really hurts my neck after a period of time. AND - I've actually bent a lift arm or two doing that.
Great cold Start Sir 😉👍 Great use of L/R break pedal to steer the tractor Sir 👌 Did you consider to look as second had set of tire chains ? Great video and great antique tractor Sir 👌👍😉 Cheers !!!
Thanks, Journey North. I've been keeping an eye out for a pair on craigslist or at yard sales. The new chains are pretty expensive. But I imagine you're right that with a set of chains, traction on this packed snow and ice would be greatly improved. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I got stuck plenty in wet heavy snow. 250$ for a new set of double ring chains and the tires were already loaded I literally cant get stuck now. No bull
Thanks for watching. I used to be able to push backwards like you, but you're a younger guy than me. Now my neck is too old to be turned around the entire time. :)
The blade should be slightly wider than the tractor when at max angle, which means you need one at least a foot wider than the one you are using. Independent rear brakes are there for a reason. Braking the spinning wheel so the side over gravel spins would have helped you get unstuck quicker.
Thanks, Noah. The blade is a 6' wide blade. I did use the independent rear brakes to get unstuck several times. I think the video shows that in a few points. I'll have to re-watch it. But you're right - that's one of the advantages of the split brakes on a tractor. Thanks for watching!
Agree a back blade may not be the best option… especially on a lane with a lot of crown to it. Chains and rear wheel weights would help a lot. Nice tractor.
Great point! Weight (in addition to the loaded tires) and chains would really help. And I wasn't even thinking about the crown of the driveway (and sides beyond the driveway). Thanks!
@@PurpleCollarLife you might consider reducing some of the crown on the lane over the summer, maybe with a box blade. Leaving enough to shed water, but reducing some of the “slide” when you go to plow. I removed the crown completely from my lane and gave it only a couple inches of fall… in only one direction (the direction away from the house). I found without a crown we slid of it less… it didn’t take much fall (for our particular topography) for the lane to shed water and with no crown I didn’t pick up as much gravel when plowing snow and have to rake less of it back into the lane out of the lawn in the spring time. Just a couple thoughts… you know your property and situation best. I only recently checked out your channel. Good content. 👍
My '05 Yamaha kodiak 450 with tracks and only a 54" blade makes very quick work of such situations. Hasn't been a whole lot that it can't do. Lol. I do love the old 8 and 9n ford tractors though. Just not as good for some situations! 🙂👍
you need to look at a offset blade thats how i used to do it with farmall and i had tire chains on which it did well if you kept up with the snow about 6 inches was the max
AJ - offset blades do look really nice. I don't even know if they made offset blades back when I purchased this one. If they did - I didn't know about them. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Hello - I've pushed snow this way in the past. A few problems - it really hurts my neck turning around constantly. 2nd - I have bent the arms once or twice pushing and then hitting something (sometimes even a hard pile of ice/packed snow). 3rd - I don't get as much traction pushing as I do pulling. But I agree - it can be used successfully pushing to widen out the driveway. Where as by pulling, it constantly gets narrower with each pass. Thanks for watching and making the suggestion!
I have been catching on your videos, and wondered why you don't blade in reverse with the blade flipped?! I've plowed my dads gravel drive for decades with no problems of control. Sure, you need to always keep a hand on the hydraulic control for fine adjustment, but I never got stuck!
We've plowed in reverse before. I have two primary issues with it. The first being that it really strains my neck turning around constantly. The second is that we've bent several stabilizer arms and 3-point arms when pushing the heavy snow in reverse. I do know that pushing the snow does have some benefits. But unfortunately, my neck just won't let me do that for very long.
Thanks for always watching and commenting, Victor. The Ford 8N was restored over 20 years ago, and my Uncle and my Dad have kept it in great shape since that time. It still runs great, and the 12-volt conversion has REALLY helped with starting it. You see in the video, it started right up.
On these old Ford tractors, the PTO must be running in order to lift the 3 point hitch. So when plowing (lifting and lowering the 3-point blade often) I leave the PTO running the whole time.
Thanks, Wheel loader 55_10_15! We really appreciate you watching and leaving a comment. I think chains would make a lot of difference. I think we're a little light too - when we replaced the tire and rim, I think we lost some of the fluid that had been in there before. Probably if the tires were fully loaded, and we had a set of chains, it would go great.
We've thought about it. Ford actually did have a front snow plow for these tractors. It used a cable system, lifted by the 3 point hitch. And the cable traveled under the tractor to a pivot and pin at the front of the blade. Put the 3-point hitch up or down and it raises and lowers the plow on the front.
You need to try the PVC pipe on the back blade hack, all you have to do is cut a slit on one side of the pipe and slide it onto the cutting edge. Also speed is your friend, I have a video of me plowing my 230meter driveway in under ten minutes.
Hello Ray - thanks for watching and commenting! I've never tried the PVC pipe trick, but I did see Tractor Time with Tim try it (on his Artillian front plow blade). It does look like it makes the back blade slide over the driveway smoothly.
@@PurpleCollarLife My 3pt blower was out of service this winter but I still had to clean my driveway so I tried this hack and it worked incredibly well. I have since fixed the blower but using the blade is much faster and easier on the neck.
Thanks for the tip! I'll be looking for a set this summer at some yard sales. With all the 2N, 9N, and 8N tractors around, I bet I'll come across some chains eventually.
@@PurpleCollarLife I actually had a small Ferguson tractor similar to the 8n , that never had chains on it that I plowed snow with too for many years, the tires on the back were new and also loaded, It was a great little tractor and would go through a lot of snow. I skidded a lot of wood out with that tractor. Are your tires loaded ?
Partially the tractor, partially just inherent issues with pulling snow underneath the tractor or having to turn around and go backwards (facing the plow backwards).
I agree. We've been looking. About 4 years ago, we actually almost bought a set of Ford 8N tire chains at a yard sale for $100. We thought the price was to high. But looking back - that was a good deal!
Thanks for watching! The reason I don't push it backwards is because in our long driveway, with turns, that turning around backwards with my head/neck/shoulders all the time really hurts my neck. Another reason is because pushing backwards can sometimes result in bent 3-point arms. Ask me how I know. :)
Hi Anthony - I was really hoping to find a set of used tire chains for the tractor at an auction or garage sale this summer. I didn't have any luck. I know they're still available new from people that sell tires/chains - but they're crazy expensive! I think the one rear tire is still loaded with calcium, but the other is only partially loaded, or not loaded at all. Definitely chains and more weight would help. Thanks for watching!
*Thats a clean tractor! Back blades are not the best option but they work better behind the right tractor. Thats a show piece lol* #WorldsOkayestFarmer
1stly, the 8n is too high speeded.2ndly, they are too light. Less angle on blade will help . Also the more experience the better. Definitely front blade is way better. Imo if you live where there's a lot of snow, get a snow thrower or, a bigger tractor..tractors are cheap. Example a good 275 mf can be had for $2500/$3000. But for light farming, and light utility work the n series fords can't be beat.
This video would be a lot nicer without that music! Most of us would rather hear the tractor, not the music! But most people are afraid to say anything.
Thanks for watching! You're right. I thought I'd find some at a yard sale or auction somewhere to avoid the cost of new chains - but they're harder to find than I thought!
We’ve noticed how much different it is (lighter) since we’ve replaced the tires/wheels and no longer have that calcium in the the rear wheels. The calcium destroyed the metal rims, but certainly added a lot of weight and traction.
Hey, could you use this blade to do light gravel grading work? I am looking to buy a 9n . They also have a blade, but we have severe snow. I will buy the blade if I can grade with it.
Hello - the 8N or 9N with a back blade work great for light gravel or dirt work. We've used ours to level out piles of dirt after building the house, and I use it several times a year to smooth out the driveway. Here's a video of me using the 8N with the back blade to fix up the driveway this spring. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Jt4bwsF92bs.html
@@DescartesDooley Those are just old weights from an old nautilus system, with a long bolt through the centers and down through the front ball mount of the front bumper on the tractor. It works great!
We've done that too. 2 problems - really hard on the neck constantly looking backwards down a long driveway. AND - sometimes those rear arm links bend when pushing at an angle.
I've plowed with it backwards before -but it does a couple things. 1. It really hurts my neck constantly turning around up and down a 1/4 mile driveway clearing snow. 2. It tends to bend the 3pt arms if you hit a pile at any angle other than straight on. 3. I can't clear as much at a time with it backwards, because as it piles up behind the tractor, I lose power and traction.
@@PurpleCollarLife We have had N series tractors my entire life and have a back blade that's probably as old as the tractors themselves. I'm 48 and the tractors were in my family since new. We have plowed a lot of snow backwards and never had a problem. The neck problem, yeah, it's kind of a pain even without a pre-existing condition...but I've never had a problem actually plowing the snow.
Thanks for watching and the suggestion. Funny enough - you're right - I've never used that back blade on the John Deere 2210. I'll have to give it a try! Maybe it will change my entire opinion on using a back blade.
You're right that the 4x4 tractors work better in the snow. Though - maybe if the 8N had a good set of chains, it would do much better. Thanks for watching!
That's all they had back in the day. They made do with them but the new stuff is nicer. I've heard of blue collar, white collar but what is purple collar? Gays used purple in their parades in California but looks like you're in a picture with a woman so I had to ask.
The 8N certainly does many things well but plowing with a back blade is just ok. Purple Collar Life is when your work is a combination of white collar work, and blue collar work. It doesn't have any connection with being gay (not that there's anything wrong with that - Seinfeld). Thanks for watching!
I still haven’t found a set of used chains for the Ford 8N. But I do have a set of chains for my new-to-me Ford Workmaster. So I’ll find out how it does this winter! Thanks for watching.
@@PurpleCollarLifehere's a thought. Most people that don't like it are afraid to say anything. In a large study only one out of every 27 people that didn't like something would say anything. So for every comment that doesn't like it multiply that by 27. That will give you more accurate total.
