Author	[Modern View]
lonestarjeff 08-02-2012 20:20:14 75.35.171.22 Report to Moderator	I've been using the Ford 906 60" rotary cutter behind the 8N for a couple of years now. Since getting the 860 back together & working I've been using the Howse 6' shredder behind it. The Howse has stump jumper, the 906 does not. Both tractors have spring seats(rest-o-ride & E-Z-ride), but the 8N is much more quiet & comfortable to mow. The Howse has a constant roar compared to the 906 & you really feel it behind you. The 860 has no trouble handling it, but I guess the tractor/implement weight ratio makes the difference. After a few hours on the 860 I feel like I need some advil. On the 8N it's more like recreation. Jeff [Reply]   [No Email]
FRANK SE-PA 08-03-2012 05:29:51 67.214.31.226 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford 906 vs. Howse 6' rotary cutter in reply to lonestarjeff, 08-02-2012 20:20:14   I use the same two cutters. But what is a stump jumper? [Reply]  [No Email]
lonestarjeff 08-03-2012 06:02:11 75.35.171.22 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford 906 vs. Howse 6' rotary cutter in reply to FRANK SE-PA, 08-03-2012 05:29:51   Basically, it's a big, heavy steel disk on the underside of the mower that the blades attach to. If you accidentally run over something immovable like a stump or big rock the disk is more likely to ride over it & not tear up/bend the blades & shaft. Jeff [Reply]  [No Email]
Ultradog MN 08-03-2012 05:01:05 65.103.0.245 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford 906 vs. Howse 6' rotary cutter in reply to lonestarjeff, 08-02-2012 20:20:14   Nice looking equipment there Jeff. Thanks for the reply on the Ford Board btw. Mine looks to be a completely different model than yours but parts diagrams on Messicks do confirm mine as a 906. [Reply]  [No Email]
lonestarjeff 08-04-2012 16:42:56 75.35.171.22 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford 906 vs. Howse 6' rotary cutter in reply to Ultradog MN, 08-03-2012 05:01:05   Jerry: I dug up the old manual for my mower & it's not a 906....it's a 908. Jeff [Reply]  [No Email]
Ultradog MN 08-05-2012 04:49:04 70.56.166.120 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford 906 vs. Howse 6' rotary cutter in reply to lonestarjeff, 08-04-2012 16:42:56   Thanks, That makes sense. [Reply]  [No Email]
lonestarjeff 08-03-2012 07:04:56 75.35.171.22 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford 906 vs. Howse 6' rotary cutter in reply to Ultradog MN, 08-03-2012 05:01:05   I always enjoy your posts & pics. I hope to run across a "blue" 3-cyl diesel around here for the right price one of these days, but I need to forget about that & get going on the Willys. Jeff [Reply]  [No Email]
Ken-Pa 08-03-2012 03:36:28 65.25.107.208 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford 906 vs. Howse 6' rotary cutter in reply to lonestarjeff, 08-02-2012 20:20:14   Hi Jeff , long time no chat with . Man the 860 looks sharrrp . Knowing what power my ole 640 has allowed me to Njoy, I"d sure like to experience your 860s energy . What all did you do to it in the restore/rebuild ? Again, very nice . This has been approved by K.F.Crisman . God bless ! [Reply]  [No Email]
lonestarjeff 08-03-2012 06:55:44 75.35.171.22 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford 906 vs. Howse 6' rotary cutter in reply to Ken-Pa, 08-03-2012 03:36:28   Hey Ken: The 860 has been lots of fun. When I got it the pto would not engage, just sort of hear a light grinding noise. The engine ran fine & had good compression, it just had a jury-rigged rubber fuel line & exhaust, no sediment bowl, & birds nest wiring. 3 of the tires were brand new, the sheet metal was all there, & it had a new 12v battery. The seller said the pto went out when pulling a shredder & the mower high-centered. He thought it stripped the clutch or pto input shaft splines(either option would be $$$). He didn't want to put more money into it & priced it to sell. Normally, I'm too skeptical to buy anything w/ that kind of unknown problem, but something felt right about the the seller(he has passed away since), plus another board member knew the seller & put me onto the deal & meeting him felt right too. As a good friend of mine likes to say, "God was in that deal". One thing I forgot to mention, this tractor is stamped "850" on the tranny housing, but when I got it home & split it I found a double clutch & live pto tranny in it. The factory had mis-stamped the housing. Then, I found the pto problem was a missing thrust washer. It was fixed for the cost of that washer & a couple of seals! Anyway, I'm still counting my blessings on this tractor. After that, I did the usual prep & paint, installed a new wiring harness, converted it back to 6v, rebuilt & installed another carb & sediment bowl, rebuilt the rest-o-ride seat & added my own seat "booster"(for my long legs), installed a new axle pivot pin, new guages, & rebuilt the steering wheel. Jeff [Reply]  [No Email]