Re: What to get? Used
When you say low price what are you thinking of. in the 2-4thousand dollar range, or in the 8000 range.
In the 8k$ range you cound get a New holland tc18, and they can be equipped with mid mount finish mowers.. or it could pull a 4' bush hog.
The 8n is a bit different. For starters, the original pto is 1 1/8" not 1 3/8" like standard pto's are today.. however, many have already been converted ove rthe years... and don't worry, the ones that havn't been. You will need an over running adapter for the pto anyway , and you can get one in the older 1 1/8 with the output side the standard 1 3/8. The or adapter lets the hog frewheel when you hit your clutch.. this prevents the momentum of the hog pushing the tractor through the drive train, as an 8n does not have a double stage clutch.
Also keep inmind that an 8n ( 9n and 2n also ) does not have live hydraulics, or live pto. To use the hydraulics ( 3 pt. lift ) the clutch must be out, and the pto must be engaged. What this means, is when you are stopped, the front of the brushhog is on the ground. Most people get around this by rigging some chains on the toplink attatchment point to the lift pin area, and size it so that the mower can't fall to the ground. That takes care of that. Also, untill the tractor is moving, the mower is not up to speed.. so right where you are parked, doesn't get mowed.. again.. no bigie... over half a million of these tractors were made, and many are in use today. Many parts for the 8n can be bought right on the shelf at tractor supply, etc. ( radiator, grill, decals, carb, ignition, water pump, oil filter ).
Not having live hydraulics or pto will make post hole digging just a tad bit harder than it already is, but again.. with technique, and practice.. you can get over that as well.
Many people have loaders for their 8n's.. most of the older ones have no down pressure, but again.. that was the norm for years.. and -any- loader is better than a shovel.. any day of the week.
There are aftermarket kits for live hydraulics and other goodies ( wild thang, and zane thang ) by a guy named zane sherman.... even hydraulic remote kits, etc.
With live hydraulics, the 8n steps up very close to many modern tractors, minus a few bells and whistles.
The original elevtrical system is 6v positive ground.. and works. Many people have converted their system to 12v negative ground with an alternator, or 12v positive ground with a re-wired generator. All three systems work, if wired correctly.
I chose to keep my 8n 6vpos grnd, as it came.
If you get an 8n, or any other vintage tractor, keep in mind that they are around 50 years old... but heck... I wouldn't sell mine for twice what I paid for it.. I love mine.
As for parts and service between a vitage tractor verses.. say an import... it is a toss up. Parts are available for both, but you have to look around sometimes. In my opinion, you will have better luck finding a dealer to repair a domestic vintage tractor, than an import... but that is just because I live in an area that has no dealers that will service my import tractor ( yanmar ).
If you like the classic tractor look .. you might opt for a slightly newer one with more options.. like an NAA, or jubilee, or even a 2000.. very similar. Perhaps even newer as an 851... ( all fords - not that I'm stuck on fords or against yanmar.. that is just where most of my experience is.. ford and yanmar - and love both.- in fact, if you do decide to go import.. check on the yanmars... tons of info available on them.)starting to get some modern options there, but still the older tractor price.
whoa.. looks like i"m rambling on here... better go before a moderator kicks me off.
Soundguy
