Thinking about a 9n.

[wolc123]

My first tractor was a 1951 Ford 8n that I bought from the widow of the original owner, with 1200 hours on it, around 1990. It served me ok and I put almost that same number of hours on it over the last 35 years.

There were a few jobs, that I liked it better for, than any of my newer tractors. Those include: 1) Planting small areas of corn with my 2-row JD-246 planter. 2) Cultivating sweetcorn 3) Plowing small areas with the factory supplied 2 x 12 moldboard plow. 4) Hauling firewood with a 3-point carryall.

It quit on me last fall, with an unknown, “weak spark” issue. I sold it this spring, for a couple hundred less than I paid for it. I didn’t miss it for plowing because it was so wet this spring, that it would have been a step or two from completely useless, even if it did run. My 4wd JD had no problems pulling that little plow thru the standing water.

I did miss it a bit at corn planting time. That smooth running little flat head four gas engine is much quieter than the diesel on my Deere. That makes it a lot easier to listen for problems with the planter. The lower operators platform on the old Ford, and easy on/off from the operators platform, from both sides, is much more convenient while planting, adding seed and fertilizer to the hoppers as needed.

The light weight of that Ford, and well designed 3 point hitch made changing implements a cake walk, compared to my heavier Deere. Not having a loader hanging off the front was also nice for lots of jobs.

I drove by the 9n for sale, on my way home from work, a couple days ago. The price on it was marked $ 100 more than I sold my non-running 8n for, plus “or BO”.

If it runs ok, the hydraulics work, and it’s been converted to 12 volts, I’ll offer $ 100 less than I sold my non-running 8n for. Lots of “ifs” there, so it most likely won’t happen. There’s always a chance though. It sure would be nice for planting corn, and some of the other “odd jobs”, so that I don’t have to keep taking the bushhog off of my Deere.

 

[JJT]

Stop thinking and go buy it. You cannot go wrong, it's priced right.

 

[EdGooding]

Are you aware that the 9N does not have position control like your 8N?

 

[wolc123]

Are you aware that the 9N does not have position control like your 8N?

Very much so. It has both original top link adjustable side brackets with it, that can be used to hold the position for a mower or bushhog, and it also has the original pto cover on it.

I also like the blue paint, comfortable newer Ford seat, and low reverse gear that the 9n’s had. That will be nice for moving material around, scooping in reverse, with my pond scoop.

My 2 row cultivator and planter have separate depth control on them, and the carryall pretty much works only full up or full down. I see no problems with the lack of position contro on the 9n.

I still won’t buy it unless it starts and runs ok though. All the tires hold air and the back right looks like new.

The best part about owning a red blue or orange antique tractor, is the appreciation the gives me, for always have at least one green one, to get the work done. I sold my old grey & red Ford, and Orange Allis Chalmers, so getting the blue Ford would be good.

 

[John0829]

For some reason the brake arrangement on the 9N messes with my mind. I much prefer the 8N tractors, wish I had mine back many times. And again personal opinion, but blue paint on them is just wrong to me. I know many were painted blue after Ford changed the color scheme in the 60's but IMHO I feel they should be the color they were born in, battleship grey as Henry painted. Ain't my tractor so, to each his or her own.

 

[EdGooding]

Those side brackets are not intended to hold an implement at a certain height. They are called drawbar stays and are there to be used with a cross drawbar to keep it from rising up.
You can use limiter chains to keep your mowers, or any other equipment, at a set height. They also allow you to raise the mower, set the limiter chains to hold that height, and turn off your PTO so you don't have the blades turning as you return to the barn.

 

[wolc123]

Assuming I get it, I doubt I’ll ever use any pro implement on it. If I need to, I’ll try making up some limiter chains, and definitely get an overrunning coupler. It looks like they can still be had for $ 75, which is about what I paid for the one for my 8n about 30 years ago.

Like I mentioned, I’ll mostly be using it on the corn planter, cultivator, and carryall, none of which will miss the lack of hydraulic positions control, like the 8n had.

This will be a user, not a shower, so I also prefer the blue paint, a the updated seat.