"N Complete" Tractor Re-Manufacture??

[TMR]

N-Complete has "re-manufactured 8N/Jubilee/NAA/600/800, etc for sale. Price around $10K...or more if they supply the original.

Anyone here either buy one or know someone who did?

What is the reputation? I guess issue is price?

Thanks...Tom R


http://www.n-complete.com/

 

[PHILIP8N]

They are only 1 hour from my house. They have been a great resourse for parts, service, and paint. The tractors they do are top notch. They strip them down to bare components and do a complete rebuild, repairing or replacing components as required. I would say quality is same or better than buying a brand new N, which you can't do today. They set up a booth and bring tractors to major shows, Portland, F/FCA nationals, etc. I am sure their web page list the shows they will be at. Find a show near you and check out thier product for yourself. Tom will probably even let you drive one around. Philip.

 

[LD1]

Personally I wouldn't pay that much $$$ for one. We have about one third as much in rebuilding/restoring dads 8n.

While I am sure they doo great work, when you compare the price to a more modern tractor, you might as well just buy a new one with a factory warrenty.

For example, kubotas website lists a 2wd L2800 @ 12k. (you could probabally but for 10-20% less). And you get the modern features like live hydraulics/pto, power steering, saftey features, etc. So if in the maket for a N sized 2wd tractor, I'd probabally ort for the new and modern as opposed to a remanufactured 50 year old unit. Just my opinion though.

 

[Soundguy]

good people.. awesome 'every bolt turned' machines, and a whole lot of money.. way too much.. like 2x too much. I could 'every bolt turned' refinish a machine for half of what they charge.. mind you.. my labor is free, and they are making a living off theirs. big difference.

you get what you pay for.. for that $ you get a machine that was like it was 50 ys ago... a new tractor for all intents and purposes.. it just costs an arm and a leg, and a few other private parts..

soundguy

 

[TMR]

good people.. awesome 'every bolt turned' machines, and a whole lot of money.. way too much.. like 2x too much. I could 'every bolt turned' refinish a machine for half of what they charge.. mind you.. my labor is free, and they are making a living off theirs. big difference.

you get what you pay for.. for that $ you get a machine that was like it was 50 ys ago... a new tractor for all intents and purposes.. it just costs an arm and a leg, and a few other private parts..

soundguy

It is interesting...but no...I am not going to pay $12K for a 1950s...re-manufactured or not. As previous poster mentioned you can get a pretty good used 4WD with FEL in the price range...and it likely would have 5 year old technology vs 60 year old tech

I will say though the new(er) used would not have the "nostalgia" of a mid 50s...Tom R

P.S. Might go a bit higher than the average $2,500-$3,500 range that the "reconditioned" seem to go for...TMR

 

[brin]

I used to have a Ford Jubilee and learned to drive on a 9N...What I like about those old fords is the wide wheel base and low stance. It just seems I felt a lot safer and more stable on them as opposed to the new tractors that seem so narrow and high by comparisson...Is it just me or do any of you agree ?

 

[Soundguy]

It is interesting...but no...I am not going to pay $12K for a 1950s...re-manufactured or not. As previous poster mentioned you can get a pretty good used 4WD with FEL in the price range...and it likely would have 5 year old technology vs 60 year old tech

I will say though the new(er) used would not have the "nostalgia" of a mid 50s...Tom R

P.S. Might go a bit higher than the average $2,500-$3,500 range that the "reconditioned" seem to go for...TMR

until you get into fancy electronics, and HST trans setups.. alot of core tractor technology hasn't progressed much past the 70's.. and much of that was just refined stuff from the 50's..

my 70's era ford 5000 aside for some weight and hp.. is just a less powerfull version of my 7610s which is nearly 30ys newer..


soundguy

 

[wolc123]

I have a 1951 8n that I bought from the widow of the original owner about 20 years ago with 1200 hours on the proofmeter. It had always been stored inside and did little work other than working up a 1/2 acre garden each spring for 35 years, so it was barely broken in when I bought it (for $1200). That tractor still wears most of its factory paint and I dont think I would sell it today 10k, as it is a favorite on my farm, where I use it mostly on a 2-row corn planter and for hauling firewood. I agree that there are some ways it is far superior to new machines. For example: low, light, stable, and easy to mount from either side. Easier to hitch up 3-point implements than any modern tractor I have sampled due to light weight and better clearance to hitch pins, controls within reach from behind tractor, etc. Extremely durable and beter parts availability than any tractor manufactured prior or after by any manufacturer. I did a valve job and points/plugs the year after I got it and it has needed nothing but oil changes since then. Some of my newer tractors have required a lot more maintanence in that time. If there were not so many instances where I need 4wd: spring planting, fall harvest (can you say mud), snowplowing, and loader work, I could get by just fine with just an 8n. I dont believe I would hesitate much to spend 10K on one that was in as good of condition if I ever wear mine out.

 

[ford farm boy]

By the name you can tell how I feel . I have a 1971 Ford 2000 purchased new . I also have some what restored a 52 8n and 41 9n .The 9 still works yes it is only good for some jobs but at 60 years old and any part you want to get for it still go's. I'm older now and just purchased a new kubota mx5100 with loader and 4wd to do the lifting and its great. But if something goes wrong with it I'm sure it will not be as easy to fix as my old fords .And something to think about is that a real USA http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/images/smilies/2/thumbsup.gif made tractor 60 years old and still going . Are we going to be able to say that about all are new ones ? http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif

 

[simonmeridew]

I've had my '51 8N for 30 years or so. I love it. Like wolc123 said, it starts great(6 volts still)winter and summer, runs great, low RPM lugging torque that doesn't quit, excellent side to side stability, quiet, low but good ground clearance, converted PTO to 1 3/8 etc.,and while not 4 wd, traction is actually quite good, without being so heavy that it dig up my lawn, ...BUT...

No bucket, no roll bar, no power steering(don't run a front wheel into a stump or rock or you're liable to break a thumb), gearing too high, especially in reverse, no remote hydraulics, gas tank directly over the battery and other electricals, and worst (for me) PTO and lift arms won't work unless the clutch is engaged.

Accept it for what it is, and be amazed at what it can do, and still be 60 years old. I don't think I'd want to pay $10000 for it though.

simonmeridew