Nice roadside find

[OBwan]

Stopped and looked at some tractors a gent had lined up on the side of the road. Couple of Farmalls and two 3000 gassers. Way in the back were what looked like two Ns. One was a Ford Ferguson and the other a 9n. He said the 9n was a parts tractor. I asked "a parts tractor for you or anybody?" He replied "What do you want?" The 9n had an original grill that had some surface rust, minor bends in the ribs and barrel bolts holding the grill to the hood. He asked what would I pay for it and I shrugged and said "I don't know". He offered it for 20 dollars and I told him "Yeah, I'll do that". Got it home, cleaned it up with a wire grinder, drilled out the rivets holding the barrel bolts and an hour to straighten the ribs and it looks pretty good. It is also the later model grill with the spring loaded tabs on the top. So after a little patch welding and paint it will make a fine addition to my 50 8N. I guess Christmas came early for me this year.

 

[HarryVanderpool]

Great story; great find!
That is the way it should unfold more often.

 

[Ultradog MN]

Good post and nice score.
But what about the 3000s?

 

[1Rustic1]

Ford Ferguson is a 9N/2N
N series are FORD tractors, they used the FERGUSON system up until Harry got the boot.Most people mistake the difference


Did you mean,,
FORDSON
HARRY FERGUSON

 

[OBwan]

The one in front has Ferguson badge on the hood nose. I have the grill from the other.

 

[1Rustic1]

Both are FORD N series, look to be 2Ns from what I can see.

Top plate says FORD
Bottom says FERGUSON SYSTEM.

People get confused w the names. I bought a antique MASSEY FERGUSON 30, which was actually a 53 HARRY FERGUSON TO30.

Or the RED BELLY FORD 8N that actually was a 42 9N that had the unknown SHERMAN w a broke off handle.

First photo is FORD
Second is HARRY FERGUSON

 

[Tim PloughNman Daley RIP]

Yeah, like Rustic states, a 9N IS a Ford-Ferguson - better study your history better. FYI: The Ford-Ferguson 9N Tractor, released to public on June 29, 1939. Henry Ford shook hands with Henry "Harry" Ferguson in November, 1938 to form a verbal agreement that had Ford would manufacture the tractor using the Ferguson deigned 3-point DRAFT CONTROL SYSTEM and Ferguson would be the distributor, forming the Ferguson-Sherman Corp with the Sherman Bros. In 1946, Ferguson would go to Coventry, England to get his TE20 Model built based on Ford 9N blueprints with a few major modifications. On December 31, 1946 Ford legally dissolved the partnership with Ferguson and on January 1, 1947 the new DEARBORN MOTORS CORP was incorporated that would see the new 8N Model released on July 2, 1947. FWIW & FYI, the 2N Model is basically a 9N - 3-spd; draft control only; 1-Wire/3-Brush GEN with roundcan cutout; 1-Wire Starter Motor with NO solenoid; and some steering box mods to name major parts. ALL 9N & 2N models use the '9N' prefix in the serial number. The hinged/flip-up grille didn't come out til the 8N Model. It's your tractor, your time and money, can do whatever you want, but I wouldn't be drilling out rivets or any other parts as I suggest you keep all parts as original as possible.


Tim Daley(MI)
N Tractor ID & History

 

[OBwan]

Always up for a history lesson. I've ever been versed enough to spot the differences between a 2N and a 9N at a glance. Some PO had riveted two sets of door barrel bolts to the hood. They faced downward with the female part riveted to the grill. That's what I drilled out and plan to spot weld them closed to bring it back to original. In one photo you can make out the male part on each side of the one with the missing grill.