8N buying sugestions

[Frosty2]

Well, this weekend I'm looking at an 8N. This will be my first "real" tractor purchase to use around my 5 acre getaway. Implements included are a bush hog, belly mower, rear scoop bucket, and a rear mounted plow. Has new tires. After looking for info I see quite a few parts available but was hoping those in the know here could help me with items to be aware of. Thanks, Dave

 

[Soundguy]

probably would have posted this inthe ford forum.. but.......

Make sure you get an over running coupler to go between the hog and the pto shaft.. otherwise when you hit the brakes the hog's inertia will backfeed the trans and rear end and push you forward. ORC is a 1-way ratchet device. DO grease it too.

make sure you service the machine.. including oil bath air filter and steering gear box.

DO get a service manual.. like the I&T fO-4 and a master parts catalog, and an owners manual.

in general, depending on region and temp and oil pressure.. 15w40 to 20w50 oil is ok.. or 30w or 40w for very hot environments with no cool weather. I prefer 20w50 in an application where 40w straight might work.

oil filter is a fram c3 or c3p or napa 1010

repalce the oring and washer above the cap.

same oil in air breather as engine ( 6 qts will do both )

rear end oil is 90wt gl 1 or gl3 or 80w90 that is yellow metal safe.. thought UTF meeting the m2c134d spec is fine.. especially in cold weather..

I've fill the steering box with a nlgi 00# grease and adjust it to reduce slack.

front mount points gap at .015, side mount points at .025 plugs on either .025 i reccomend autolite 437 plugs.. though champion 512 / H12 plugs will work.. as will H10 or similar..

use metal core plug wires.. not modern resistor wires.


post back if you want any specifics...

soundguy

 

[wolc123]

Get yourself a stabilzer bar kit from TSC if you want to use that rear scoop in the reverse position, otherwise you will make pretzels out of the lower links. While you are there, as SG already said, pick up an ORC to make the PTO operation a lot safer. If the tractor is 6 volt and still starts good, keep it that way. Point life is better and resale is higher. Whatever you do, dont put a front loader on that tractor. Takes away the advantages of excellent power/weight ratio, manuverability and easy accessabilty to operator platform. An 8n was the first tractor I bought and I would never be without one. I dont believe any tractor designed since, especially from Ford, can hold a candle to one. Learn and adapt to its limitations and it will serve you well. Few machines have as much durability and certainly none has better parts availability.

 

[Frosty2]

Thanks for the replies. Went to look at the 8N today. Not as advertised. Many things wrong, with a used car salesman type want-a-be trying to sale a tractor with bad logic. I'm going to keep looking...

 

[Soundguy]

sometimes it truly is best to walk away.

soundguy

 

[LakeRat1]

The 8 N Ford is Getting up there in Years, unless there is a reason that you just want to own a 8 N Ford you may be able to get a lot newer Tractor for Just a lbit mire money, Just some thing to think about, The Hyd. on the 8 N was not that great

 

[Kays Supply]

How far are you from these guys. They have little diesel tractors that will put an 8N to shame. He is all business and a reputable guy.I have dealt with him several times. Little Miami Trading Company - Compact Tractors

 

[Soundguy]

The 8 N Ford is Getting up there in Years, unless there is a reason that you just want to own a 8 N Ford you may be able to get a lot newer Tractor for Just a lbit mire money, Just some thing to think about, The Hyd. on the 8 N was not that great

I agree... as much as I like my 8n and 2n.. I'll never seriously consider getting another one unless in top condition, with rare extras, and cheap..

probably wouldn't buy an NAA either.. again.. unless near free or with rare options like the live pto.. or a howard / everett aux tranny.


I like the 55-64 models.. particularly the rowcrops.. and of those.. i like the factory wide fronts a lil more than the NF's.

in general, that year range was easy to work on.. parts are plentifull, and you can get some modern addons like real loaders, easy to adapt rear hyds, power steering.. etc.. etc..

soundguy

 

[mmurphy]

Thought I would add one more thing. Not very good for having a loader on them either. Hard to steer, and poor traction.
Other then things already mentioned, they are easy to get parts for them.

 

[Soundguy]

traction is the least of the issues. you can ballast them and put counterweights on.. fill tires, add duals.. etc. traction is a 100% non issue.

steering now.. that front end is just not a good loader frotn end.. and the lack of power steering will generate large forearms over time

soundguy

 

[Frosty2]

Next up on the list is a 63 Ford 2000. Has a FEL, power steering and backhoe. Took a quick look a couple of weeks ago and thought I'd look around until the seller got back in town. Tires looked kind of rough and it had been sitting for awhile. Was told that it runs and moves. I'm going to wait for the owner to get back and see it run. Backhoe isn't needed now but the FEL would sure be nice. I figure if I could put a bushhog on the back I'd be set-up.

 

[mmurphy]

traction is the least of the issues. you can ballast them and put counterweights on.. fill tires, add duals.. etc. traction is a 100% non issue.

steering now.. that front end is just not a good loader frotn end.. and the lack of power steering will generate large forearms over time

soundguy

I think tennis elbow.

 

[veteranchuck]

8N's are a great buy, even if they need fixing up. My dad bought one in 1948 and farmed 100 acres with that, and an old McCormic Dearing lug wheeled tractor for plowing, for many years. The 8N never dissapointed us, except for plowing. Our land was too rocky for the 8N. I rebuilt the tractor after dad passed away and use it on my 10 acres, and haymaking and whatever else needs doing on a ranch for disabled children and veterans that I do volunteer work for . There is very little that tractor can't handle. The drawbacks are no live power take off, and lack of traction. Like a previous writer said you need an "overrider slip converter", or what I call a "slip clutch" when operating equipment like a bush hog. Many a farmer has gone through a fence because the equipment kept pushing him when he wanted to stop. Putting fluid in the tires improves traction tremendously. If you want Live Power Take-off I would cosider the next generation ford like the Jubilee or a Massey Ferguson utility tractor.

 

[Frosty2]

Well finally found one. 8N in decent shape with only a few things to look over this winter. Have the FO-4 manual and an owners manual. Maintenance and carb rebuild is next. Manifold gaskets while I'm there. Many questions to follow and I'll even try to get to the Ford board.

 

[Soundguy]

post some pics when you can.

soundguy