Soundguy, I stand corrected on the power/weight thing. Thanks for the correction. Also, I did not word the "weaker" hydraulics correctly, and I can see where what I wrote did not match what I meant. Sorry about that, and it was totally my fault. By "weaker" I meant "less dependable". As I mentioned, I have a lot of experience with the 8n, the Jub., and the 600, and have seen the 8n hydraulics hold up better, each time. The Jubilees and 600's, that I have used, have needed major hydraulic work, over roughly the same number of hours and amount/difficulty of work, than the 8n's. In fact, the last 600 basically just gets used now, and has for the past 20 years (or more) with non-functioning, busted, hydraulics, to pull hay wagons around. It does a real good job of that, but sometimes it would be nice to have it available to work 3pt attachments. Thankfully, now-days we always have the 8n, and a few other modern tractors, to provide working hydraulics for 3 point power. I don't believe we have ever had any hydraulic issues at all with any of the 9n/2n/8n's. Are you willing to admit that the 51 or 52, 8n will use less gas, plowing the same field in the same condition, than the Jubilee, or 600 with a 2x12 plow. I seen that happen, and gas is not cheap these days. So much for the "superiority of the OHV engine". Eventually, Ford figured the OHV's out, but they definitely struggled in the early years. I also may have made a mistake in the power/weight thing, although it don't look like a significant edge in favor of Jubilees and 600's. Certainly not enough to make up for the poorer fuel economy, "less dependable" hydraulics, And poorer parts availability. Speaking of parts availability, it don't look like I can get an exhaust manifold at the local "Tractor Supply" store, like I was able to do last time, 25 years ago, when the store was "Central Tractor". Where do you suggest I get a replacement manifold, and how much do you think it will cost? My 8n no longer my primary tractor and no longer gets used real hard. All I care about is cost for the new manifold, and I could easily get by with a cheap Chinese replacement. I definitely appreciate your knowledge and support on Ford tractors, thank you in advance here. I am not now, and have not been exclusive to that brand, in quite a few years now, but they are still at or near the top of my preference, and the 51, 52 8n's are still my all time favorites, based on how they have treated me over many years. Currently, I am also running a Farmall Cub (Light snowplowing, spraying apple trees, mostly cultivating corn), Allis Chalmers "C" trike (light disking, great visibility in the woods dragging logs-way better than a wide front tractor), JD 4120 diesel, 4wd with R1 tires, 4wd, and loader (does most of the work these days), JD 750 (mostly lawn-mowing, snow-blowing), and JD M (grandpa bought new in 1950, plows a medium sized garden each year with the 2x12 plow it came with). Those 5 other machines have taken much of the load off the 8n the last several years, and they are all very dependable tractors. I don't like any of them quite as well as the 8n however. The 600 is one I operated as a "hired man" as a youngster, at a big farm down the road. I think they have made enough money the last few years, to finally fix the hydraulics, and it has definitely gotten a fresh paint-job. Thank you very much, as I have always found talking tractors a lot of fun. Especially these days, as I am stuck in the house and out of work for at least 3 months, recovering from some major brain-surgery, where an 8.5 cm diameter tumor was removed. Thankfully, it was 100% non-cancerous, but my doctor told me that I would not have seen 2015 if he had not got it out when he did. I sure feel a lot better now than before, and will not take life for granted again. Someday, I hope to operate a tractor or automobile again, or lift more than 10 pounds, but not today, per my doctor. Please don't worry about offending me, if our views differ, and believe me, this is a lot more fun than most of the other activities, to which I am currently restricted.
Your fellow Old Ford Lover, wolc123
P.S. Right now my Dr., per this weeks visit, wont even let me do oil changes on the tractors, all of which need that.
