Back in the saddle

[Bern]

25 years ago I spent a lot of time in an 8970 Genesis tractor much like the one in the first photo (note
that it's from a NH promotional poster). When they first came out 30 years ago they put JD to shame, they
were that far ahead of the Deere 4x60 series tractors.

Recently a local-area farmer purchased a used one just like it, and invited me to spend some time behind
the wheel today, which is when the second pic was taken. It felt like I had never left. At 270 PTO HP
(yes, that's factory, not turned up), there's no other Ford quite like it.

 

[FOMOCO Farmer]

Driving a tractor is great therapy! Hopefully, one day, I'll have my two Genesis fully operational. From the limited amount of time, I've driven mine, they seem to be very stout! The 8770 has the Ford badge on it. Its my understanding they were hotter than the NH. Enjoy!

 

[paul]

Mine is a 2000 year model, I think they got closer to the advertised 210 pto hp in the later years?

Nice tractor.

Paul

 

[Bern]

Yes, the tractors with the Ford decals were hot from the factory. The EPA made sure that the later ones were much closer to rated. To be clear, the 270 figure I gave is not rated HP, it's max. I think it's closer to 240 at rated speed. Yours is likely closer to 240 max.

 

[showcrop]

These were built in Winnepeg, I assume by Versatile when they were building articulated tractors for various other manufacturers. Was the 8970 built for Ford only or did some go to CNH as Case IH tractors?

 

[Bern]

Those tractors were for the most part Fords. Ford engine, Ford rear axle, Funk transmission, Dana/Spicer
front axle. They were conceived on the drawing board about the time Fiat took over, which explains why the
park brake handle says Fiat on it.

And yes, they were built in the Versatile plant. The Genesis series never morphed into a red version for
Case/IH, but rather red Buhlers.

 

[HFJ]

beautiful scenery. where are you located, bern?

 

[Bern]

Mount Vernon WA, about an hour north of Seattle.

 

[HFJ]

very pretty. my biggest complaint about michigan is it needs a mountain range running along the route of US-131. and i mean real mountains, not like the hills in the Upper Peninsula they call mountains. i'm not greedy, i'm not asking for the Tetons. the North Cascades or the Wind River range would be just fine.

 

[HFJ]

my bad, i'm getting old and senile. i of course meant US-127 :-D

 

[Bern]

Here's another pic I took today from the same field, Mount Baker is in the background. It was plow day with the guys from the local JD 2-cylinder club; about 10 machines were out there in total. I'm going out later this afternoon with the 8970 to harrow it.

 

[HFJ]

very nice. i'd love to trade some flood plain for some of that.

 

[dogobat]

SHEESH!! Right around the corner....good to know!