Differential vs clutch

Hi, new guy here. I hope to contribute once I learn a little more about 8Ns. I have a 46 JD A and a Fergie TO-30 and comfortable with just about any repair or rebuild. I recently rescued an 8N (can't read VIN, side distributor, looks to be about 8N) that had been sitting 15 years. The engine fired up and purrs like a kitten after new plugs, distributor cap, timing, rewire, starter relay, and switch. However it does not move. I would appreciate some advice on the next step. Here's what I have done/checked so far

1) Had to drag onto trailer, and noted that the engine did not turn over when the tractor was in gear. Engine freely rotated, though

2) Clutch appears to work. PTO engages when clutch is let out. Has backhoe attachment, all rear hydraulics work with expected power

-Removed shift lever cover and verified that it was not stuck in 2 gears.
Oil was in good condition and every internal piece looks amazing. Definitely not abused or neglected.

3) Removed side cover plates, both sides. Again, everything looks good. The coupler is not broken

4) Removed right tire; brakes not locked, hub rotates by hand. When I let out the clutch the hub rotates. Can change speed/direction with gear shift.

5) Removed left tire, same as above. When it is in gear it rotates. Found I can stall the hub by hand if I grab it firmly.

6) When igear I can hear the differential turning. It does not sound gravelly, or any clucking

7) I am not familiar with 8Ns but have looked at all the pictures I could find on the internet. It does not appear to have any special transmission. On the RH there is a lever to raise and lower the 3 point arms, on the LH side a single lever that appears to be high/low for the PTO.

I am split 50/50 between clutch slipping too much (although I can't picture why the rear PTO would still work so well) and sheared bolts on the differential. Unfortunately with the backhoe attachment and a front loader it is difficult to get to the rear trumpets or to perform a split. I would greatly appreciate any advice on which has the higher probability, or even better if there is something simple that I have overlooked.

Thanks in advance
John

if you can put her in 1st gear, and pto in gear, and let out clutch and pto spins and tractor don't move.. clutch is ok.

unless it has a post aux tranny like a howard or everette that is in neutral.. the next things it could be are:

sheared ring gear rivits

sheared pinion coupling tube

stripped pinion or ring gear

broke axle

IF you truly can hear the ring gear turning, and could verify that.. then.. broke axle is the most likely cause.

mind you broke axle includes striped splines too..even at the hub.. etc..

others may have more ideas. that's what I got at this moment..

Lever on left is engage/disengage pto on 8n. If you jack up rear end and rotate tires when in gear, you could look in trans top cover to see if anything is turning. If not I would think rear end.

This brings me back 40 years.Friend bought a rough 9N.Seller told him the clutch was bad.I found the pto turned ok.We pulled left trumpet off and found the ring and pinion was missing.I told him the parts from a Ford ton and half truck would work.I used the tractor to rake hay.It ran well but I had to fix the governor because a snap ring was missing.

I'll try to get the left trumpet pulled this weekend. If it weren't for the base of the backhoe attachment I'd have it done by now. I'm curious to see what is in there. Thanks for all the help so far

And the winner is.....

*** Sheared right axle ***

I haven"t had time to CSI the damage yet. It looks like a clean break right before the rh spider gear. I don"t see any damage to the splines in the gear. Differenetial gears all look good. I"ll clean it up tomorrow and send some pics.

It was a bear getting the trumpet off. The backhoe frame had a welded nub that interfered with pulling straight out on the trumpet casting. I had to use a sud bar to rock the loader frame back while pulling up at an angle on the trumpet. Hope I can get it back in with both splines in place.

What is best source for used axle? Since I don"t know exact year is there a cutoff I need ot be aware of?

Thanks once again
Stauby

on an 8n.. you will basically have 2 types of rear axles. those setup for the later 2 seals.. and the early ones only with 1 seal. main difference is just some surface machining on the axle. you would have to convert trumpets to get the benefit of a later axle and the 2 seals.. but otherwise the repalcement new style axle itself is fine for either..

if getting used.. make sure the splines at the hub end are good.