Ford 8n, best tractor for the money

[jlmissouri]

Anyone that is frugal should definitely consider this tractor, and put it towards the top of the list. I worked as a farm hand for several years, but the entire fleet was newer. The oldest tractors were a JD 4010, and a 4000. Both very good tractors. When I went looking for a tractor I knew right away I could not afford something costing a lot. Even the 8n seemed like it cost too much.
Not having much experience with antique tractors, I worried about a lot of peoples opinions of the 8n. It doesn't have live pto, no hydraulics, no power steering etc. I had always used equipment with all the bells and whistles.
Almost all the percieved problems were way over rated. Power steering? Who needs it. Maybe if you had a loader, but I have only had minor problems in very tight areas, that most other tractors are too big to fit in anyway.
No live pto, no problem. Installing a pto slip clutch made this tractor a great little brush hog mobile. With no difficulty running the 5' brush hog.
Hydraulics would be nice, but so far I have not needed them. If you have a smaller parcel, or even a bigger one this tractor is well worth the investment. I don't think there is a tractor in existence with more parts availabillity, or less expensive parts. Just do a search on Ebay before you buy a tractor to see the parts avail., and price.
I have a 52 8n. It had the 12v upgrade when purchased. I put a electronic ignition upgrade, plugs, and a new carb on it so that I could get it running. So far with over 80 hours I have had no failures, and no problems. Yet another myth busted. I have heard the saying before that for every hour of seat time, you have another hour of repair time.
Needless to see I am very impressed by this cute little tractor, and I will now end my sales pitch.

[DM]

I sold the 8n i had here a while ago, and depending on what work you have for a tractor they can be a very handy tractor.

You said your 8n doesn't have hydraulics, i assume you ment "remotes"?? If it has a 3 point, it has hydraulics... Remotes are the outlets "usally" in the back that allow you to plug in hoses to a cylinder or ??

Many jobs do requite hydraulics, and "live" hydraulics along with "live pto" just works so much better...

It really boils down to, what work you have for a tractor, and then buy the one that fits the jobs you have...

BTW, when you said you bought a "slip clutch", i assume you ment an "over run clutch"...

DM

[RangerRick]

8N's a good tractor but a little underpowered I think. I've got an old 1954 Massey T30 with an overfhead cam and really develops much more power for the same footprint and money. Of course, with the 8N spare parts are everwhere.

Rick

[jlmissouri]

That is a good tractor, it was in my to consider list because of the added power, but when I ran into an 8n in good shape for $1500, and the right year a 52, I could not pass up the deal.

[mule1rider]

Hi, First post here. I agree that the 8n is a great tractor. I've got one and use is quite often. The one I have has a front distributor on it which is a bit of a pain. If I had the choice I'd go with the newer ones with a side mounted distributor. The tractor has a low mounted exhaust pipe which is handy when mowing under trees. It is a bit under powered when running my Ford brush hog thru heavy grass. It is a modern tractor in that it has a three point hitch.

My favorite small tractor, however, is the John Deere 50 with power steering. It will really zip around and pulls heavier loads. The disadvantages I've found are a high mounted exhaust pipe which can be knocked off with low hanging limbs and the lack of a three point hitch. Mine has a home built three point hitch which works quite well. There are commercial third party three point hitches available.

The JD is more of a row crop tractor which means that the 8n would work better on hillside farms. Having said this I run both on my hilly ozark farm and both do well. The only thing I use on the farm that the 50 will not pull is a hay baler. For that I use a JD 60.

All in all my fav is the JD 50. They make a fine tractor for a small farm.

[Mad_Professor]

If you need a hydraulic hose connection on a N series tractor there is a plug on the right side beneath the seat where you can connect to. You'll need to plumb in a return line.

BTW, don't undersell the 9N/2N. Only real drawback is one less gear.

[lewis56us]

I'm pretty pleased with my '50 8N. Even the 'mechanically challenged' like me can work on them. I pull a 5' brush hog or a small trailer that I use for carrying wood or rocks or whatever. A blade for the roads and a small gang disk for cutting fire breaks.

[SingleStack45]

I have a 52 8N...and try as I might...I haven't been able to kill this 56 year old machine...

[hardrock]

I looked for a long time for the best tractor for the money, and decide the 9N,2N,8N Fords were hands down the best bargain with lots of aftermarket parts support, and a good long reputation for reliability.
Just couldn't find one when I wanted one.....

Finally convinced myself I had to have a diesel. ::)

I settled for a '74 Ford 3000 diesel Utility.
(Basically a later model spin-off of the 8N platform)
3-cyl. diesel, thermostart, 4+2, P.S., 2-stage clutch (live PTO) rear remotes, spin out rims, pie weights, diff lock, factory tool box, etc........
She was a loaded up queen in her day, but beat, battered, and bruised today, she's still chuggin' along!

[Cuznguido]

I suppose I am in the minority here, but in my opinion those 8n, 9n, and 2n Fords are barely better than useless. Underpowered, geared too fast, push in the clutch and NOTHIN works. The only thing that draws people to them is they are small, low to the ground, and people that are unfamiliar with tractors are not uncomfortable with them. The later Fords are much better, having cured these issues.

[fancyfowl]

I have to agree with the last poster. Have had a couple old ford Ns and dont think too much of them except as a handy wagon puller. I finally settled in with a 1958 Massey Ferguson TO35. I think I would like a farmall Super A also. As a market gardener and small farmer the 2 can do it all. The fergie is great with the 60 inch tiller, good in the woods and just a handy little tractor over all.

[MooseToo]

asking which is the best 50 year old tractor is like

asking which is the best 50 year old pick-up -

assuming you want the tractor to use in the dirt and not in a parade twice a year, you really can't go by brand-name - you've got to go by actual shape of the individual tractor and whether or not it was designed to include the operating features you need -

[DM]

*I have to agree with the last poster. Have had a couple old ford Ns and dont think too much of them except as a handy wagon puller. I finally settled in with a 1958 Massey Ferguson TO35. *I think I would like a farmall Super A also. As a market gardener and small farmer the 2 can do it all. The fergie is great with the 60 inch tiller, good in the woods and just a handy little tractor over all.

I'm a big believer of a tiller on a small tractor for homestead gardening too. Sooo, my 8N left this farm some time ago, and i don't miss it at all. For pulling a firewood trailor, maybe plow some snow or other job like that, it was great. But put a tiller on it, or use it for tougher jobs, and it has all the problems mentioned in other post above.

The problem with buying an older used tractor is, if you don't know tractors you can end up with a piece of junk no matter what brand it is...

If a person can afford a newer tractor i think they are a lot better off, and with decent maintance it should last them for many many years...

DM

[rdbrumfield]

I have a Harris ferguson which is basicall an 8N. We have to remember that these were cutting edge in their day. The tillers didn't come out until Howard made a set of gears to reduce speed, then had to make a tiller that ran off a pto that turned half speed.
They were designed to pull a trailer, plow and disc.
Yes, having all power including hyd quitting when the clutch is in is a pain. But for the money, these tractor just don't give up.
Mine was given to me and it had a loader on it with a pump running off the crank out the front. first thing I did was take the loader off. The frontend is just not designed for that.
I still have the loader and all the hardware, but I have a modern 50hp with loader so I don't need it.

[MissouriFree]

8N's a good tractor but a little underpowered I think. *I've got an old 1954 *Massey T30 with an overfhead cam and really develops much more power for the same footprint and money. *Of course, with the 8N spare parts are everwhere.

Rick


How are parts t get for you T30 ?

mofre

[walls0stone]

depends on so many things I could not even honestly give input. once a tractor has been used for a year the possible situations are wide open.