Though info sources differ slightly, the 8n has about 27.x hp at the engine... that translates to somewhere around 23-24 hp on the pto... mind you this assumes good engine, etc. Earlier N's had a slightly lower compression ratio.. and a hp or two less possibly.
Draft control on the hyds also give the N an edge when using draft dependent loads. I've seen N's out plow larger /more hp JD's that only had straight hyds.. etc.
From the service manual.. which I believe are the nebraska test results..
9n/2n/early 8n comp ratio 6:1
late 8n 6.5:1
belt pulley power 9/2N 23.6hp
8n 27.3hp
drawbar hp 9n/2n 16.3*
8N 23.2
* I've heard that the lowdrawbar hp rating on the 9n/2n from the nebraska test is due to the method in which they tested the 9n/2n.. I.e. low idle, high gear.. etc. Obviously the 8n which is virtually identical engine ( N's engines are interchangeable...) scored much higher, on the same test, a few years later..
Also, in tractor pulls, the N's do fairly well on percentages. I just got done reading a magazine on tractor pulls.. and the N's usually pull 115% to 125%.. which is great with their hp/weight
Soundguy