Diagnose Hydraulic Problem 9N

I have been using my 9N for several years to mow with a Bush Hog. Everything was fine. I wanted to do some plowing and disking and began to run into problems. The plow doesn"t go as deep into the ground as it should and it rises if I don"t keep constant pressure on the control lever. The same with the disk, little depth and constant pressure needed. I don"t want to spend the money for a total rebuild kit if it is not necessary. Any ideas on how a cheep skate can proceed?

Simplest way would be buy pull type equipment.

try the 9n site

The 9N"s and 2N"s do NOT have position control like the (later model) 8N does, and "draft control".

Zane Sherman, over on the "N" Board, makes and sells a simple device to add position control to the 9N"s and 2N"s.

If you give him a shout, likely he will see it and reply. He also has a troubleshooting checklist to be sure your lift is operating as it should.
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Pasrozski.......you do know the N-Hydraulics have NO down pressure, don't you???
As fer haffin' to keep yer hand on the "hy-trol" lever, tighten the CORK gasket behind the hy-trol lever arm. Simple, eh?

Several mistakes about the 3-point 2-bottom plow that neubie wannabees make; plow FASTER!!! Seriously, the tractor plow is designed for about 1-1/2 mph. (thats about 2/3rds throttle) 2nd, adjust the top turnbuckle so the plow bites into the ground when lowered by the hy-trol arm. 3rd, you can NOT plow too deep as yer tractor ain't got enuff traction. 4th, gitt yer own copy of the RED owners manual. It has 12-pgs of how to plow. ........Dell, the ploughin' fool
2N Service Manual Includes a brief Operators section, 64 Pages Part No: 39 FTSM 19.95

"The plow doesn"t go as deep into the ground as it should"
What is the condition of the plow shares. If set up correctly the plow should 'dig' itself in and the hydraulics on the tractor should prevent it from going too deep.

"and it rises if I don"t keep constant pressure on the control lever"

There is a cork friction disk just inboard of the control lever. Sound like it is worn out and needs to be replaced.

I think that the hydraulics are used only to LIFT the implement, the weight of the plow should be able to keep it down.

The truth is....not many Americans understand the Ferguson Hydraulic system! No offence meant! (but some of the replies here prove my point!)
Your lift needs set, from the information you give here.... Hang your plough on the lift and check the top link spring. It should just be able to be turned by hand. If not, then it needs shortened by screwing the end yoke inwards against the spring. Next, set the hydraulic control lever stopper about 2 1/2 inches from the top of the quadrant and slacken the 4 bolts that hold the quadrant to the lift cover. These mounting holes are slotted. With the engine running, gently tap the quadrant back or forwards until the plough sits in neutral and tighten the bolts. This setting is so sensitive that even tightening the bolts can make a difference. When you have the bolts tightened, if you move the lever downwards slightly (over the stop) the plough should drop, but pulling it back to the stop should once again hold it in neutral, likewise moving the lever upwards should raise the plough and moving back to the stop should hold the plough in neutral again. This should make a big difference to your ploughing depth. Remember different soils will have different settings on the quadrant. Heavy ground will require the stopper to be set higher than light ground. This draft system was designed to give MORE traction the deeper you plough....but everything has a happy medium!
Sam