How practical are the N series tractor

[Corey148]

What would be the most feasible and cost effetive Ford tractor for me to purchase? My father owns a 9N and he is pleased with his but if he had a choice he would have purchased an 8N for the additional features it has (power, better brakes, etc). I would like to have a front end loader, however I don't think I could justify the extra money for the loader plus it probably would just get in the way. All I plan on doing is cutting grass, plowing snow, and haul wood and logs. I would like to stay with the "N' series tractors if it is possible or would I need to get a bigger tractor (Hundred Series). I know this message is long winded but I am trying to obtain as much information as I can. Thanks!!!

 

[Eriklane]

I have a '48 8N, and like it, but, they are old remember, and, in my opin, a slightly newer model might be better. They're pretty strong, and for mowing, they're nice, for snowplowing, the rear blade isn't so fun, and most blades are not tall, so, you end up pushing for a long time backward to get the job done. A truck with a 7' blade gets my 600' drive done in 2 passes almost. The tractor just takes a lot longer, but, there's the antique factor; frankly, it's fun plowing on a 60 year old tractor in a snowstorm... never had a bucket on the front, and they do lift pretty good in the back for wood, if you build out a box of some sort.

A good N is about $2500 or more. I like the Allis Chalmers WD for about 1/2 the price and a lot stronger, and they do have a lift and may allow a front plow.

But the 3 point hitch is nice, but no full power is not so nice, but, it works mostly for what I do-plowing an acre 2x a summer, and mowing...

If money wasn't an issue, I'd get a hundred series or something somewhat newer...

 

[rustysrestos]

The first tractor i bought is an 8N with a dearborn loader and backblade.The rear tires are filled with calcum and it has chains.I am green by nature but this was an awesome first tractor and the three point is nice!

 

[souNdguy]

if you have a nostalgic need to fullfill.. an N can do some decent work, and hs nice history.

if you want a good worker with better hyds, more trans options.. etc..

get a 55-64 machine.. though a 53-54 is at least a step int he correct direction engine wise.. but still backwards hydraulically

soudnguy

 

[L B]

Buyers Market Now, Go to Tractor House lots of options there. I have moved alot of snow with a 8N with loader up front and blade on the back. Id like a V plow on front. Just remember FUN comes first. If I had to make a liven with a tractor I would have all new stuff. LOL Happy Tractoring

 

[Jim in Ma.]

I work at a working farm museum. We have several tractors here for garden and haying work. Our 8N is the last go to tractor. It runs great - 3point is margenal at best and it's geared to fast for a lot of jobs.
The only thing the 8N shines at is pulling a hay ride wagon.

 

[old]

For what you want and N series if not what you want. Now days for the guy who is just wanting to do a small bit of hobby farming and that type of thing pretty much no older ford will work but then that is because you need to know how to do all the RTLC needed to keep it going. As for a loader nope again the N series is not it. Ya if you know how to do the TLC maybe a 601/801 or one of the thousand series is the ticket. But if your not a back yard tool guy look at one of the newer sorry to say this Kabotas or other such machine so you can get dealer support

 

[trouttman]

(quoted from post at 19:01:01 12/17/11) What would be the most feasible and cost effetive Ford tractor for me to purchase? My father owns a 9N and he is pleased with his but if he had a choice he would have purchased an 8N for the additional features it has (power, better brakes, etc). I would like to have a front end loader, however I don't think I could justify the extra money for the loader plus it probably would just get in the way. All I plan on doing is cutting grass, plowing snow, and haul wood and logs. I would like to stay with the "N' series tractors if it is possible or would I need to get a bigger tractor (Hundred Series). I know this message is long winded but I am trying to obtain as much information as I can. Thanks!!!

Corey, I have a 2N, it is my only tractor and I bought it about 25 years ago. I have about 20 acres wooded and 3/4 mile drive into my house, plus I take care of a couple neighbors drives. The n is a good little tractor to get around in the woods and small areas . I have done a lot of landscaping and pulling logs etc and scrapping snow. But I would buy something with a live lift and power steering. It is a lot easier on your legs and arms, especially when you get a little older.

I was on mine last Saturday for about 5 hours doing some landscaping and pulling up some small stumps, you can fill it the next day.

my 2¢ worth.

trouttman

 

[Ken(Ark)]

What would be the most feasible and cost effetive Ford tractor for me to purchase?

A 3cyl diesel , live hydraulics , and down pressure are what the N's lack .

Around here a 9N sells for under 1K and a good 8N sells for under $1500 , usually with a 5' bush hog included . Good work tractors start about $3K .



What do you need a tractor for ?

 

[KL-VA]

For my needs, the 8N is "the most feasible and cost effective" tractor. That would not be the case if I didn't thoroughly enjoy doing all tractor repairs and maintenance myself.

The 8N is compact, and light, so it goes through the woods well and get into places a bigger tractor can't. An 8N will usually cost the same amount as a 9N or 2N to buy, repair, and maintain, but the 8N has a 4-speed tranny, position control, and other factory upgrades.

My 8N has additional upgrades such as live hydraulics, a Sherman combo, foot throttle, and even a cup holder. Those all cost money and I could probably have a 40 HP tractor for very little additional money, but it would be too big, and I wouldn't have had so much fun adding the upgrades, GRIN.

 

[36 Coupe]

The 600 series has live hydraulics, better engine.It dosent have the troublesome rear hubs of the 8N.I passed on an 8n with a loader on it, bought a 640 for less money.The 640 weighs a bit more than the n series and handles well in the woods.A loader tractor has got to have power steering.I have used the n series over the years and find the 640 a better tractor.

 

[ron,ar]

The 8n is a good tractor for what it was designed to do, farming. In our area/soil it will pull a tandem 5 ft disc in 2nd or 3rd gear, pull a double moldboard breaking plow in 2nd. It has a nice 3 pt hitch but lacks live hydraulics. It is a little under powered and has a little too much groundspeed for some tasks, tilling comes to mind.
I have a dearborn loader on mine with both a bucket and a brushfork which I can changeout in less time than it takes to hook up something on the 3pt hitch.
The lack of live hydraulics/independant PTO can be a real pain. I intend to work out a way to run my 3 pt lift off my loader hydraulic pump.
On the up side, therewere thousands and thousands of these n series made and most are still around. This means that after 50+ years they have stood the test of time and parts are still available.
Ifyou want something to tinker/play with and a little work every now and then...well a good N is an inexpensive purchase.
If you want just a tractor to do a little work and don't want the extra work involved with maintaining a 60 yr old tractor then you better go buy one of the many imported compacts or a later model heavier but older tractor like the 600 or 800 series. Another good choice would be a To-35 MF.

 

[TheOldHokie]

(quoted from post at 08:43:01 12/18/11)

<snip>

I have a dearborn loader on mine with both a bucket and a brushfork which I can changeout in less time than it takes to hook up something on the 3pt hitch.
The lack of live hydraulics/independant PTO can be a real pain. I intend to work out a way to run my 3 pt lift off my loader hydraulic pump.

<snip>

Using the loader for live hydraulics is very doable. I will be happy to walk you through the technicals it if you want to email or give me a call. I also make and sell custom made kits with all of the necessary adapters for doing exactly that.

TOH
301.655.0631
[email protected]

 

[William Fissell]

It depends almost completely on what you are doing. I have an NAA and I finish mow, brush hog, and clear a little snow with the back blade. I could do all of that wiht an N that would have cost $800 less.

I have an FEL on it and as long as I don;t do anything crazy, its helpful for moving some dirt or gravel.

For a few thousand bucks you can get a workign tractor wiht a few accessories that"s easy to fix that has good parts support. You will ahve to plan on 1:10 or 1:5 service: work on it.

If you want a turnkey solution that will work 100% of the time wiht very little downtime, yeah, you"r eprobably better off buying a new machine for 10x the price.

For me, wrenching lets me have some alone time and decompress form my job, and there"s very little that I do with the tractor that can"t wait until its fixed or serviced. Or, owrse, you could have two tractros for a fraction fo the pric eof a new or used kubota and improve your uptime.

It really depends on what you need to do wiht it. If your grocery moeny depends on it, maybe an N ain;t the right thing.

 

[oldtanker]

I use my 8N for everything. I plowed 11 acres with it this spring, used it for other tillage work, have a finish mower, 5' brush cutter, post hole auger and other implements. I don't run the baler on (requires 70HP) or have a loader. It works good but IMHO could use about 5 or 6 more HP and at least live hydraulics. I'm going to keep it but I am shopping around for a 100 series. Once I get a 100 series the N will be used by the wife and for mowing.

Rick

 

[TheOldHokie]

(quoted from post at 22:01:01 12/17/11) What would be the most feasible and cost effetive Ford tractor for me to purchase? My father owns a 9N and he is pleased with his but if he had a choice he would have purchased an 8N for the additional features it has (power, better brakes, etc). I would like to have a front end loader, however I don't think I could justify the extra money for the loader plus it probably would just get in the way. All I plan on doing is cutting grass, plowing snow, and haul wood and logs. I would like to stay with the "N' series tractors if it is possible or would I need to get a bigger tractor (Hundred Series). I know this message is long winded but I am trying to obtain as much information as I can. Thanks!!!

The sole advantages of an N are nostalgia amd price. And while many new repair parts are readily available and cheap major components are not and things like used castings and gears are getting scarcer and more expensive by the day.

Guy up the road from me just sold an early 90's Kubota B8200 HST-D. It's 1600# unballasted, 19HP diesel, 4WD, PS, rear, front, and mid-mount PTO with a 60" mid-mount mower deck for $3500. It won't plow or disc fields worth a darn but will run rings around an N plowing/blowing snow, roto-tilling a garden, or mowing grass. One with a loader will run you another grand or so. It's a little light in the britches and lacks the ground clearance of an N but would do all of what you have listed. It also handles a lot easier and goes places an N can't touch. So when shopping consider features in addition to price. And don't forget most 60-70 year old tractors are going have a lot of down time on them. Buying two or three of them to compensate simply doubles/triples your cost AND your down time. Ultimately somebody has to fix them or they will all be down together :idea:

TOH

 

[Ultradog MN]

The Ns are great, reliable, fun little tractors that will do a lot of work for you.
But, and you knew that was coming right?
The prices of tractors are way down right now so I would suggest you make the upgrade now while you can get more tractor for your money.
At the very least I would buy a tractor with live hydraulics. That would be a 53 and newer model. And I would skip the NAA Jubilees because a newer Ford with more options and better features can be had for about the same price as a Jube. So look at the 1955 and newer 600/800 models.
Some years ago when I was looking to upgrade from an 8N I looked long and hard for a good Hundred Series but could never find a decent one at a reasonable price. So I decieded to take it one step newer and went with a 1965 and newer 3 cylinder Ford. Nowadays I'm real glad I couldn't find a 600/800 as I much prefer the 3 cyl Fords.
I suggest you spend a little more money up front now and buy the last tractor you will ever need. A 3000 or 3600 with PS, LPTO, 8 speed, Live Hyds and differential lock is one of the best small tractors ever built.
Get your hands on one and you'll never let it go.

 

[Ultradog MN]

[i:654c4848f0]The sole advantages of an N are nostalgia and price.[/i:654c4848f0]

Well said TOH.

 

[9n141]

I have them all from 1939 to 1964 and a 1972 I love using the 9Ns, 2ns and 8ns

 

[9n141]

I have them all from 1939 to 1964 and a 1972 I love using the 9Ns, 2ns and 8ns

 

[Tom N MS]

Very practical if you get a good one--get a bad one and U will work on it more than U ride it and U can sink more in it than you will ever get out of it--work and/or money..Where are U located? I have one I need to sell.

 

[James of Stark]

(quoted from post at 22:12:07 12/18/11)

(quoted from post at 08:43:01 12/18/11)

<snip>

I have a dearborn loader on mine with both a bucket and a brushfork which I can changeout in less time than it takes to hook up something on the 3pt hitch.
The lack of live hydraulics/independant PTO can be a real pain. I intend to work out a way to run my 3 pt lift off my loader hydraulic pump.

<snip>

Using the loader for live hydraulics is very doable. I will be happy to walk you through the technicals it if you want to email or give me a call. I also make and sell custom made kits with all of the necessary adapters for doing exactly that.

TOH
301.655.0631
[email protected]

I would be interested in what you have to offer.

 

[TheOldHokie]

(quoted from post at 22:53:36 12/27/11)

(quoted from post at 22:12:07 12/18/11)

(quoted from post at 08:43:01 12/18/11)

<snip>

I have a dearborn loader on mine with both a bucket and a brushfork which I can changeout in less time than it takes to hook up something on the 3pt hitch.
The lack of live hydraulics/independant PTO can be a real pain. I intend to work out a way to run my 3 pt lift off my loader hydraulic pump.

<snip>

Using the loader for live hydraulics is very doable. I will be happy to walk you through the technicals it if you want to email or give me a call. I also make and sell custom made kits with all of the necessary adapters for doing exactly that.

TOH
301.655.0631
[email protected]

I would be interested in what you have to offer.

Well give me a call or drop me an email. You can reach me on my cell just about any day 8-8 EST. Or email me with your number and we can talk on my dime.

TOH
301.655.0631
[email protected]