M6800 Observation

[mfgkenney]

My friend and neighbor, whom I have adopted as my stepfather, has 3 M6800's. One with a regular 8 speed transmission that he bought new in 1998("the old tractor," and two with shuttle shifts ("the bucket tractor" and "the new tractor"). We were told that "the new tractor" was a 1999 when he bought it last year, having had it shipped from Kentucky. Last year, while raking hay, we noticed that "the new tractor" seemed taller, and we can't, for the life of us figure out why. We were chalking it up to tire life at first, but upon further review, they are pretty close in wear (same make and model). We measured the spacer blocks between the frame and axle, they were the same as well. Every time we switch to another implement, we need to readjust the tongue jack on the the implement to match the drawbar. the new tractor is in fact about 2" taller. Can anyone shed light on this?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

If they are all 2WD's there shouldn't be anything different about them.
If you give me serial numbers I might find something.

 

[BAP]

Are you sure that all the tractors have the same size tires? Also, different brand tires or even models within brands can vary on actual measured tire height.

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Good day.

Assuming front ends have same implements / weights on….(both have a loader or both have weights up front (weight in front of front axle the same, correct?

Then I would wonder are the rims front and rear actually (by actual measurement) the same diameter from machine to machine? Then I would make sure same tire pressure tire to tire (machine to machine front and rears) and maybe measure if cross section of tires same?

If tires and rims (FR / RR) actually the same pressure and measurements i would then look at the draw bar and see if it is bent….put a level on it so you can compare the rake/slant to the other machine. I think that may suggest if there is anything different between the rake / stance of the machine(s).

Good luck.

 

[mfgkenney]

Good day.

Assuming front ends have same implements / weights on….(both have a loader or both have weights up front (weight in front of front axle the same, correct?

Then I would wonder are the rims front and rear actually (by actual measurement) the same diameter from machine to machine? Then I would make sure same tire pressure tire to tire (machine to machine front and rears) and maybe measure if cross section of tires same?

If tires and rims (FR / RR) actually the same pressure and measurements i would then look at the draw bar and see if it is bent….put a level on it so you can compare the rake/slant to the other machine. I think that may suggest if there is anything different between the rake / stance of the machine(s).

Good luck.

So the new tractor has a cast front weight bar, both the old tractors have rear wheel weights and one has a loader. I can't imagine the weight bar having that big of an effect, but I will check tire psi and measure the rims when I get time and all the tractors are at the barn. Thank you!

 

[NCL4701]

Not quite clear on what all is 2” taller on the one tractor other than the drawbar.

Do all the drawbars match? Even if they’re all offset (i.e. “drop” drawbars) rather than straight, are they offset the same amount?

Even if there’s only one OEM drawbar, if any were purchased used it’s quite possible the prior owner swapped to a generic A/M or modified one from another tractor and the non-OEM doesn’t match OEM height.

 

[mfgkenney]

Not quite clear on what all is 2” taller on the one tractor other than the drawbar.

Do all the drawbars match? Even if they’re all offset (i.e. “drop” drawbars) rather than straight, are they offset the same amount?

Even if there’s only one OEM drawbar, if any were purchased used it’s quite possible the prior owner swapped to a generic A/M or modified one from another tractor and the non-OEM doesn’t match OEM height.

All straight drawbars. The two old ones have rear wheel weights. I will measure them when I can get them in the barn on the concrete.

 

[Grandad4]

Eyeballing the differences may not be good enough to tell you what is going on.. Find a flat concrete surface to park each tractor on, get out a tape measure and a clipboard and write down the precise height measurements from the concrete to common points on each tractor.
Front and rear differentials, clutch bellhousing, bottom of each axle near or at the hubs, oil pan, etc. Eventually you should get a pretty good idea what is different from one tractor to the other.