value of 8n/9n tractors

[Jim.ME]

It would be really nice in a thread like this if respondents would tell where "here" is. Prices on many things, not just Fords, often vary greatly from one part of the country to another, Saying you can buy an 8N "around here" for X dollars isn't too helpful beyond a very general sense. Nobody needs a street address, but at least a state would be good.

A step towards solving that without typing it every time, would be if everyone added at least their state/province (or country if not in the USA or Canada) in the Location spot in their profile, then it would always show in their avatar when they post.

 

[markdtn]

Values here are a bit lower than the OP in 2019. I live in Tennessee. In 2025 I bought a good running '50 8N with Sherman and poor tires for $2100. Sold a '44 2N with great rear tires and very nice paint for $1500 but had to work hard to get it. I see average running 8Ns for $1500-2000 (more for really nice ones) and yard art for $500ish around here. 2Ns less than that running.

Kept having people who said I should sell the 2N for $800 and that good tires meant nothing. "I can buy tires cheap". I say go buy some and see. The 8N took $1600 worth of tires (I did go with Firestones, could have been a bit less with offshore) and rims because the rims were rotten. That was at the CoOp. Had other tire stores that quoted about that just for tires.

 

[jetaray]

Just passing by, saw a Ford 8N (1948 ?) for sale in southeastern Minnesota. He wants $2250, all new tires. Seen it running, steady oil pressure after light run and has 6 volt system. Tractor stored outside for last year and battery drained.

Owner purchased at an auction, suspects it came from an estate sale as wheels were loosely mounted. Maybe a restoration in progress? To me paint looks like a rattle can job, already pealing off. First start, it did start without hesitation.

Went back for test drive, owner couldn’t get it running again. Said he had it running and went to throttle it up and it stalled. He drained old gas but turned out no longer has spark. Front distributor just like my old 9N.

Thinking about buying, but not without test drive. Hydraulics appears to work good, brakes unknown, not much more to say without test drive. Owner says to busy working his business and doesn’t have time to get running. So I got time to think it over.

Old tractors are a side gig for him. I said call me when running.

Seeing tires as the expensive part, think that 8N with new Goodyear tires all around may be an okay price.

Opinions and comments about price welcome.

 

[HarryVanderpool]

Last time I bought rear tires it was a thousand bucks.
The tractor looks like it isn't buggered and monkeyed up.
Due to the new tires, if it all checks out $2000 would be very fair.
$2250 If you fall in love.

 

[KCTractors]

Just passing by, saw a Ford 8N (1948 ?) for sale in southeastern Minnesota. He wants $2250, all new tires. Seen it running, steady oil pressure after light run and has 6 volt system. Tractor stored outside for last year and battery drained.

Owner purchased at an auction, suspects it came from an estate sale as wheels were loosely mounted. Maybe a restoration in progress? To me paint looks like a rattle can job, already pealing off. First start, it did start without hesitation.

Went back for test drive, owner couldn’t get it running again. Said he had it running and went to throttle it up and it stalled. He drained old gas but turned out no longer has spark. Front distributor just like my old 9N.

Thinking about buying, but not without test drive. Hydraulics appears to work good, brakes unknown, not much more to say without test drive. Owner says to busy working his business and doesn’t have time to get running. So I got time to think it over.

Old tractors are a side gig for him. I said call me when running.

Seeing tires as the expensive part, think that 8N with new Goodyear tires all around may be an okay price.

Opinions and comments about price welcome.



View attachment 149624View attachment 149625

Looks like it could be a late 47,48 or 49. The 50 and up had a better steering sector set up on them. The early 8N's had a problem with the front tires wobbling when going in high gear on a hard surfaced road.

 

[jetaray]

Buy It or somebody else will

Why didn't you test drive and buy it the first time you saw it run ??

Didn’t have time on first visit, stopped by out of curiosity. Do new tires give it more value? Does 6 volts vs 12 volts add or drop value?

Tractor has sat idle in same spot for over a year. It’s on a busy highway through a rural town.

I just spent $1000 out the door to have two new rear tires installed on my 9N. Didn’t know the local auto shop sold and mounted tractor tires. Only dry, tires with liquid ballast they won’t do.

If it had run when I went to test drive (impulse buy) it would be at my house. I have started to question its real value.

 

[jetaray]

Looks like it could be a late 47,48 or 49. The 50 and up had a better steering sector set up on them. The early 8N's had a problem with the front tires wobbling when going in high gear on a hard surfaced road.

Seller told me it was a 48. No high gear driving for me. Slapped Sherman lever forward on my 9N, it kind of scared me at full throttle. I think dad taught us well, these little tractors are not meant for speed. Not that we didn’t try. This time on the 9N it just felt unsafe, plus I know the breaks are weak.

All our tractors had fluid in the tires for ballast and stability. Never started in high gear with that extra weight. This ford is so light it had no issues starting in high gear.

 

[Btzj02]

I was at the Le Sueur County Pioneer Power swap meet this weekend and there were two 9N's for sale there. One was non running and had home made wheels with what looked like turf tires all around. Asking price $450. The second had good rubber but not running. Asking price $850. Neither tractor was sold at the end of Saturday. Note: They both had A step up/down transmission.

 

[Btzj02]

Those had the 9 speed trans you have pics of them ??

Sorry no.

 

[buickanddeere]

While there is a Following of the N series . One has to consider that for a few more $ . A newer Ford can be had with a real drawbar , live hydraulics ,
Live PTO, a slow reverse , a slow first gear , working brakes and power steering .

 

[Devin Down South]

You can bring a fish to water but you can't make them eat hay - or however that saying goes.

Pretty sure you nailed it!

 

[jetaray]

Thanks for sharing everyone.

I have three tractors now, two Internationals 460 gas, other a 300U, and the Ford N9. The 460 needs a single piston and dry sleeve after cylinder number three had a piston break into pieces. With a new sleeve, piston, and pin it should run fine. I mainly been using the 300U, sadly no power steering. Its a nnalert to turn with a full bucket of snow. All of these my father purchased in the past 20 years before he passed. They do what I need for now, only issue is I really miss the power steering of the 460.

My 9N is used to cut brush only, seeing that 8N just got me curious.

While there is a Following of the N series . One has to consider that for a few more $ . A newer Ford can be had with a real drawbar , live hydraulics ,
Live PTO, a slow reverse , a slow first gear , working brakes and power steering .

In all honesty what you state above is what I should be looking at in a tractor. I am not a show tractor guy, just want things that are simple and works for my needs. Not pretty, just a good workhorse.

But like some people I am always thinking of ways of tinkering with what I have. Got a snow plow that was made for a small jeep. It has an electric winch, 8 feet wide, manually swivels left or right, nice break over springs so when you hit a solid object, doesn't rip off the front of the jeep. Jeep sold long ago and plow just sitting in the barn. The idea is, attach receiver hitch built for the jeep to front end of the 9N. Sell it as is with new tires and plow. Plow works great on paved drives, okay on gravel roads. Throw in the WELL used rear tire chains and see what I can get. Buy the 8N and make it my mower.

The Internationals I have is what I use for snow removal and digging. They have a Heat Houser to wrap engine and keep warm in winter.

The 9N has a pusher 6 bladed fan, works great. One day while revving the 9N (front distributor) to full power, quickly found out I did not secure the plug wires tight enough, air flow was enough to draw one plug wire forward and snip the boot and about a half inch of the wire off. Radiator survived the mishap.

Anyway, thanks for the thoughts, comments and ideas. You all have a great day.

Jetaray

 

[markdtn]

I was at the Le Sueur County Pioneer Power swap meet this weekend and there were two 9N's for sale there. One was non running and had home made wheels with what looked like turf tires all around. Asking price $450. The second had good rubber but not running. Asking price $850. Neither tractor was sold at the end of Saturday. Note: They both had A step up/down transmission.

Probably could have bought both for $1200. The Shermans and tires/wheels are worth more than that alone. Probably could make 1 run and keep both transmissions. Sounds like a good deal.

 

[Ultradog MN]

There was a guy west of the Twin Cities that was selling "Restored" Ns a couple of years ago. He also advertised service and repair on them. His tractors were always in the $3500+ range. I don't see him advertising anymore.
My guess is he couldn't make a profit.
I like ALL the old Fords but I'm not sentimental about them. I want them to work and I want them to have minimum options and features.
Any more, if asked, I won't recommend a Ford older than 1965. If you want a good small tractor buy a 3000. They are just simple old machines and won't have HST, cabs with air and all the bells and whistles on them.
But you can get them with what I consider the basics - live hyds, live pto, power steering, remote hydraulics, 8 speed transmission, differential lock, better guages, gas or diesel, better (but not great)brakes, more reliability, longevity and power. And a drawbar for cripesakes!

 

[Btzj02]

Probably could have bought both for $1200. The Shermans and tires/wheels are worth more than that alone. Probably could make 1 run and keep both transmissions. Sounds like a good deal.

This Winter when I am bored and need a project I am sure I am going to regret not bringing them both home.

 

[jetaray]

Interesting, everything I own was made before 1960. Never had tractors with a cab, fenders were a novelty to us.

Called the guy back about the 8N, real friendly person. Told him I spent the money on tires for the 9N and will no longer purchase the 8N. He said he is so busy with his small engine repair shop the tractor will sit until next fall before getting it to run.