Is it better to push the clutch in when starting the truck?

^^^^^^^^
This, with anything that has a clutch. I ran over myself with an 8N tractor as a kid - then had to get up and chase it!

 

If I remember correctly...........8N's had a safety interlock on the starter button. Had to be in neutral to push the starter button.
As far as pushing the clutch in on a big truck...........I always did it. Started driving in the days prior to synthetic gear lube and that old 90 weight lube in the tranny was like molasses on a cold morning! Used to cycle the range button a few times before leaving out to wake up the range shift to avoid an unfortunate missed shift.

JD

 

Maybe it was bypassed? I don't know I was 14 at the time, but I do remember feeling really stupid, and catching the tractor to shut it down before it ran over something else or my boss saw it!

 

These new motors start so easy, it's made a lot of the old tricks unnecessary. Even below zero, my DD13 normally fires within 4-6 strokes. Between the better starters and synthetic oils allowing faster cranking speeds, and the fact they cold fire much sooner, worries about cold starts are almost a thing of the past as long as the batteries are good and the fuel is treated.

 

Variable timing made a huge difference for today's engines. The engines of yesteryear had no real capability to change timing for good cold starts. This applies to all automotive engines. That's one of the reasons manufacturer's get stupid horsepower out of small engines.

JD

 

A 8 N Ford had zero safety features that came standard with the death wobble in the steering when going down the road

 

Maintenance issue. Steering box probably needs attention. Most likely the bearing at the bottom of the steering shaft. Put foot on one of the steering arms to calm down the wobble until service is performed. BTDT.

JD

 

It makes no difference on the starter. And as proof, I ask this question...do the trucks with automated transmissions actuate the clutch pneumatics when you turn the key? How about trucks with manuals that have opti-idle systems, do they hit the clutch to start themselves while your sleeping? They're built tough enough to handle the stress. Not all modern trucks require hitting the clutch, my '22 T-680 manual would start without hitting the clutch, so does my '22 Volvo manual. I think the only modern truck I have driven that had to was a Prostar.

 

Yes the 8N’s had a starter button by the shifter, trans was suppose to be in N before the push button would activate the starter.

Ferguson used a safety built into the shifter itself. Shift pattern on top the trans would look like …. R-1-2-3-4-S. S was for starter, to activate the starter with the shift lever the trans had to be in neutral….

 

Fill your bathtub with water and run your fingers through it quickly one end to the other.

Now fill it with molasses and run your fingers through it, that would be a similar result with cold gear oil when starting the engine in cold weather….