Ford 8N...Should I?

[inode]

I just purchased a Kubota M7060 and really like it. However, I think there's a few things where a smaller tractor might make sense. Would it make sense to buy an old Ford 8n for smaller cutting jobs and the occasional food plot? The nostlagia in me says owning an old Ford 8N would be neat. They can be had in my area reasonably cheap.

However, I don't know what I'm getting into and what the cost to maintain one would be in operating condition.

 

[vvanders]

Maintaining them isn't too hard, plenty of parts that are easy to get. May work depending on what you want to do just keep in mind that you're pretty limited on speeds so rototilling is out. You also have to deal with a PTO that's connected directly to the drive gears which can make certain operations a bit more tricky.

 

[ruffdog]

Good for pulling hay wagons, hay rakes, and plowing with rear blade (chains).

 

[jeff9366]

Transporting gas AND diesel in cans gets old.

 

[jaxs]

The Ns are not very good at any chore but they are cheap and easy to maintain. The 600 series doesn't cost a lot more,are equally easy to maintain and a much better tractor.

 

[mcfarmall]

And it's still a 60+ year old tractor...

 

[Turbys_1700]

Not a better low cost tractor out there IMHO. I personally would try to get something with power steering in an 800 series if Ford is your brand of choice. A long time ago I bought a really straight Massey Ferguson 35 with power steering, Perkins diesel, and Multi-Power. I was a fool for ever letting it go.

 

[majorwager]

Transporting gas AND diesel in cans gets old.[/QUOTE


Yes it does, and yet old habits are often repeated......

 

[fried1765]

Transporting gas AND diesel in cans gets old.

So...... what should one do for a diesel tractor fill?
Call a local diesel delivery service, and ask for a 15 gallon delivery?

 

[houser52]

My personal opinion on a smaller tractor is to get something like a good used 30-35 hp Kubota for working and an 8N in the garage for something to work on in your spare time.

 

[Tennsawdust]

Maintenance isn't an issue. They were made in large numbers and many are still in some sort of operating condition - thus the reason you can pick up a decent example for $2500. Parts are readily available and not particularly expensive. They have their limitations - fairly light and only 30 hp, but they are more useful than many of the nostalgic models. If you are looking for a first tractor to restore or a toy to play with it is hard to beat the 8N. A good 8N is a pleasure to tool around on. They can be a very smooth running tractor. I came very close to pulling the trigger on one with the Sherman transmission recently - and it is still tempting... (...spent many hours on an 8N as a boy.)

If you really want an older tractor that you can do real work with then the 600 series Fords or the Massey-Ferguson 35 are better choices for about the same price. You might even find one of the Fords with live PTO.

 

[vvanders]

Transporting gas AND diesel in cans gets old.

That's a good point, and gas can't sit nearly as long as diesel unless you want to deal with treating it(I say this as the TE-25 next to the barn won't turn over from stale gas).

 

[super55]

8n are good tractors. Sure they have their limitations in size, weight and not having a live/independent PTO but they have some huge advantages. First is price, Second is cheap parts, easy ability to work on maintain not requiring any specialize tools and lastly, They are an extremely rugged tractor.

These old tractors are very well suited for bush hog work. Unlike todays tractors, Old iron doesn't have wires going to safety switches, solenoids, and a whole bunch of other items running under the tractor that a branch can snag and disable the tractor. Put an overrunning clutch on the back PTO and go have fun.

 

[searcyfarms]

oh my.............I loathe the thought of the 8n 9n 2n - if all you plan to do with it is maintain a large yard with a finish mower then maybe but other than that they have NO attraction for me - gutless, no power steering, no live pto, hydraulic lift is lame, brakes are horrible and don't work well when new when trying to stop, hard starting unless everything is perfect, poor lights, rough riding, 1st gear is not conducive to speed/power unless working light loads.

I have ran so many and cursed all of them over the years - a jubilee or OHV version of the fords is much better as they had p/s better lift/transmission/live pto.........the only and I mean ONLY things I like about them is the step through chassis for maintaining things with trees and their short turning/compact size. Oh and due to their height, they are easy to get fuel in !!!

 

[jaxs]

Eventhough I prefer Ford/New Holland for my chores,I would choose a Popping Johnny as a toy.

 

[ruffdog]

Eventhough I prefer Ford/New Holland for my chores,I would choose a Popping Johnny as a toy.

Something like this one?
John Deere MT Tractor - farm & garden - by owner - sale

 

[jaxs]

Something like this one?
John Deere MT Tractor - farm & garden - by owner - sale

You bet,that is sweet. Only problem is there's nothing left to spend time and money on.:laughing:

 

[gwstang]

I keep an old '52 8N I've had around here for a long time. I just leave a 5' finishing mower attached to it and it runs that very well. If you do get one, get a pair of implement rims and get some used car tires mounted on them. Works great for cutting lawn or field.

 

[inode]

After reading all the replies, many make sense in that it 1) gas doesn't keep long, 2) I'd have to keep two separate fuel cans and 3) no live PTO. Thinking this through, I've decided to look at a Massey Ferguson 135 as another option.

 

[majorwager]

The older ford industrial tractors were dependable tractors, worth a look.