Ford 8N Reviews
Brief History Of My 8N Ford
Model Year: 1951
This was my father's tractor. We mowed (sickle mower,still have it, still use it, model 14/15), moved to Pennsylvania, farmed with my brother in law and still use it now on our ten acres for mowing,etc. We always kept it inside. IT now needs engine work and a repaint. I don't know if I will tackle it again at 77. I have a 3 speed Sherman on the bench and hope to get that in also. Lots of good memories!
Pros: Stability, compact, great for plowing, mowing cultivating, etc.
Cons: Power,flat head engine,no live hyd./pto. brakes.
Model Year: 1951
This was my father's tractor. We mowed (sickle mower,still have it, still use it, model 14/15), moved to Pennsylvania, farmed with my brother in law and still use it now on our ten acres for mowing,etc. We always kept it inside. IT now needs engine work and a repaint. I don't know if I will tackle it again at 77. I have a 3 speed Sherman on the bench and hope to get that in also. Lots of good memories!
Pros: Stability, compact, great for plowing, mowing cultivating, etc.
Cons: Power,flat head engine,no live hyd./pto. brakes.
New old tractor
Model Year: 1949
Searching online to find how a positive ground tractor could start and run for a short time with a negative ground. Found a good thread and will be setting the cables right. Will be clearing brush soon, my brother had it for a few years cleaning up his place in Washington state
Pros: old tractor
Cons: old tracto
Model Year: 1949
Searching online to find how a positive ground tractor could start and run for a short time with a negative ground. Found a good thread and will be setting the cables right. Will be clearing brush soon, my brother had it for a few years cleaning up his place in Washington state
Pros: old tractor
Cons: old tracto
1952 8N
Model Year: 1952
I bought this old tractor from an 83 year old animal vet. It had been sitting in a field for four years before I got it. It took me a year and a half to restore it. I wouldn't trade it for a brand new one now.
Pros: Dependable starts every time will run all day and never let you down.
Cons: Could use a slower reverse gear and a live PTO.
Model Year: 1952
I bought this old tractor from an 83 year old animal vet. It had been sitting in a field for four years before I got it. It took me a year and a half to restore it. I wouldn't trade it for a brand new one now.
Pros: Dependable starts every time will run all day and never let you down.
Cons: Could use a slower reverse gear and a live PTO.
1948 Ford 8N
Model Year: 0
The moniker "Legend" is over-applied. But to the 8N, it is a synonym (manner of speakin'...). Does whatever a machine of its scale and technology can be expected to, and does it well. Won't waste "bandwidth"---all the good things that have already been said I believe to be true. Its only limitations are the state of technology at that time. It shall continue for all the same reasons.
Pros: Simplicity, dependability, wt/hp ratio.
Cons: Steering, not live PTO.
Model Year: 0
The moniker "Legend" is over-applied. But to the 8N, it is a synonym (manner of speakin'...). Does whatever a machine of its scale and technology can be expected to, and does it well. Won't waste "bandwidth"---all the good things that have already been said I believe to be true. Its only limitations are the state of technology at that time. It shall continue for all the same reasons.
Pros: Simplicity, dependability, wt/hp ratio.
Cons: Steering, not live PTO.
My First Tractor And
Model Year: 1952
I came to own my farm---90 acres of pastoral bliss in the Finger Lakes region of New York, as well as my Ford 8N, via a series of events, mostly fortunate but more often humbling, that bear telling perhaps in some other venue. About the 8N: it has been a magnificent tutor and has saved my skin on many occasions. However, I have not been able to spare the time to work on it. I'm not a farmer, I am a countrified city boy who would starve to death if I had to depend on my "farm skills" for a living. My family's sustenance comes from my teaching history at the local high school (my wife teaches as well). And so my tractor has had to suffer the indignity of having an owner that worked it to death without the care I know it deserved. My relationship with my tractor is analogous to Willie Nelson's relationship with the woman in the song: "Always On My Mind". "Wouldah, shoudah, couldah!"... And so to the tractor I'd like to own: A dependable, that is, low maintenance workhorse that will dig ditches, cut and bail 2-3,000 bails of hay or straw, help me put up or repair fencing, plow snow, brush hog overgrown weed patches, pull wagon loads of firewood, etc. And look good doing all these things. It has to be big enough to do these things and small and nimble enough to get in the woods as well. I'm open to suggestions.There seem to be many good makes and models that would fit the bill.
Pros: Must have many.
Cons: Should not have any.
Model Year: 1952
I came to own my farm---90 acres of pastoral bliss in the Finger Lakes region of New York, as well as my Ford 8N, via a series of events, mostly fortunate but more often humbling, that bear telling perhaps in some other venue. About the 8N: it has been a magnificent tutor and has saved my skin on many occasions. However, I have not been able to spare the time to work on it. I'm not a farmer, I am a countrified city boy who would starve to death if I had to depend on my "farm skills" for a living. My family's sustenance comes from my teaching history at the local high school (my wife teaches as well). And so my tractor has had to suffer the indignity of having an owner that worked it to death without the care I know it deserved. My relationship with my tractor is analogous to Willie Nelson's relationship with the woman in the song: "Always On My Mind". "Wouldah, shoudah, couldah!"... And so to the tractor I'd like to own: A dependable, that is, low maintenance workhorse that will dig ditches, cut and bail 2-3,000 bails of hay or straw, help me put up or repair fencing, plow snow, brush hog overgrown weed patches, pull wagon loads of firewood, etc. And look good doing all these things. It has to be big enough to do these things and small and nimble enough to get in the woods as well. I'm open to suggestions.There seem to be many good makes and models that would fit the bill.
Pros: Must have many.
Cons: Should not have any.
8Ns
Model Year: 1951
Just to add to anyone else saying good things. 8N for a 20 years plus here and other than missing live PTO and a lower gear...the best tractor still. Of course a little hard to work on distributor behind fan. Still working it and of course the star of any fair pulling haywagon of kids.
Pros: All.
Cons: No live PTO and no low gear, and front distributor.
Model Year: 1951
Just to add to anyone else saying good things. 8N for a 20 years plus here and other than missing live PTO and a lower gear...the best tractor still. Of course a little hard to work on distributor behind fan. Still working it and of course the star of any fair pulling haywagon of kids.
Pros: All.
Cons: No live PTO and no low gear, and front distributor.
65 Years Old, Still Goin' Strong
Model Year: 1949
Well I wanted a 8N for a while now. My dad had one when I was a kid. I am a complete Ford-natic. All I've owned for most of my life, so it figured when I got a tractor that was simple and easy to work on, such as the 8N. Sure it has short comings, compared with all the new machines out there. Me I'll mostly just piddle with it and restore it as time and money permit.
Pros: It's a Ford, simple to fix, parts are everywhere.
Cons: Could use a lower first gear.
Photo Uploads:
Model Year: 1949
Well I wanted a 8N for a while now. My dad had one when I was a kid. I am a complete Ford-natic. All I've owned for most of my life, so it figured when I got a tractor that was simple and easy to work on, such as the 8N. Sure it has short comings, compared with all the new machines out there. Me I'll mostly just piddle with it and restore it as time and money permit.
Pros: It's a Ford, simple to fix, parts are everywhere.
Cons: Could use a lower first gear.
Photo Uploads:
Great Old Tractor
Model Year: 1951
My 8N has been in the family since the 70's. I inherited it when my Dad passed away. I've been using this tractor since I was 12 or 13 (34 years or so). It is a great old tractor once you learn some of it's quirks. It is easy to work on and parts are easy to get and affordable. I use mine for bush hogging, tilling, disking, digging post holes, moving dirt with a bucket attachment, and grading my driveway. I sure do wish it had live PTO but I've learned to live without it. All in all a great tractor.
Pros: Compact and easy to work on.
Cons: No live PTO and no low range.
Model Year: 1951
My 8N has been in the family since the 70's. I inherited it when my Dad passed away. I've been using this tractor since I was 12 or 13 (34 years or so). It is a great old tractor once you learn some of it's quirks. It is easy to work on and parts are easy to get and affordable. I use mine for bush hogging, tilling, disking, digging post holes, moving dirt with a bucket attachment, and grading my driveway. I sure do wish it had live PTO but I've learned to live without it. All in all a great tractor.
Pros: Compact and easy to work on.
Cons: No live PTO and no low range.
'52 8N
Model Year: 1952
I just bought this tractor for something to play with. I'm a little older that it. I run better! It started and ran when I looked a it. When I got it home, I thought I'd drag some stones in my garden. It started to rain. Tractor sputtered, so I shut it off. Now it won't start. I'm checking the forums to see what I can do to get it running. I have always loved the look of this old tractor, so I had to have one.
Pros: Nice looking wade stance front end.
Cons: Bit#@ getting it running.
Model Year: 1952
I just bought this tractor for something to play with. I'm a little older that it. I run better! It started and ran when I looked a it. When I got it home, I thought I'd drag some stones in my garden. It started to rain. Tractor sputtered, so I shut it off. Now it won't start. I'm checking the forums to see what I can do to get it running. I have always loved the look of this old tractor, so I had to have one.
Pros: Nice looking wade stance front end.
Cons: Bit#@ getting it running.
Ford 8N
Model Year: 1952
I recently purchased a 1952 Ford 8N. After a new battery, carburetor, fresh gas, oil and filter changes, Ruby fired right up and purred like a kitten...for a while anyway, until she over heated. I let it cool down and replenished the coolant then started it up with the radiator cap off to check for circulation. Nope, no luck. I think I will drain the coolant today and flush the radiator and see what happens. I hope it is just a thermostat and not a water pump. Other day I sprayed gunk over the engine and cleaned it up somewhat. I recall chuckling to myself that it will probably break from being cleaned. I guess that is all part of owning an antique tractor.
Pros: Built like a Ford...tough!
Cons: Old and tired like me.
Model Year: 1952
I recently purchased a 1952 Ford 8N. After a new battery, carburetor, fresh gas, oil and filter changes, Ruby fired right up and purred like a kitten...for a while anyway, until she over heated. I let it cool down and replenished the coolant then started it up with the radiator cap off to check for circulation. Nope, no luck. I think I will drain the coolant today and flush the radiator and see what happens. I hope it is just a thermostat and not a water pump. Other day I sprayed gunk over the engine and cleaned it up somewhat. I recall chuckling to myself that it will probably break from being cleaned. I guess that is all part of owning an antique tractor.
Pros: Built like a Ford...tough!
Cons: Old and tired like me.
8N-B (1950)
Model Year: 1950
My first and only farm tractor. Love it a lot better since upgrading ignition to 12v--now starts in any wx. Wish the gearbox was moisture-proof. Hydraulic gets milky pretty fast. Used around the 14 acres for mowing (48" brush-hog), post holes (12" auger), wood hauling (utility trailer), wood splitting (PTO-driven hydraulic splitter), gravel spreading (6' grader blade), material movement (rear scoop), landscaping (box blade), and an occasional hay ride for the youngsters. It had a Dearborne manure scoop too but one of the ram housings cracked so that's parked in the barn. This old iron is a fun little workhorse, just right for the hobby farm.
Pros: Small, versatile, simple and affordable---parts readily available.
Cons: Reverse gear is too fast, and original 6V ignition was problematic.
Model Year: 1950
My first and only farm tractor. Love it a lot better since upgrading ignition to 12v--now starts in any wx. Wish the gearbox was moisture-proof. Hydraulic gets milky pretty fast. Used around the 14 acres for mowing (48" brush-hog), post holes (12" auger), wood hauling (utility trailer), wood splitting (PTO-driven hydraulic splitter), gravel spreading (6' grader blade), material movement (rear scoop), landscaping (box blade), and an occasional hay ride for the youngsters. It had a Dearborne manure scoop too but one of the ram housings cracked so that's parked in the barn. This old iron is a fun little workhorse, just right for the hobby farm.
Pros: Small, versatile, simple and affordable---parts readily available.
Cons: Reverse gear is too fast, and original 6V ignition was problematic.
Another 8N Continues On
Model Year: 1949
Took a bit of work to get it back up to speed but this one has been used as an orchard tractor for 9 years now. Plenty of power for how we use it, it starts reliably and has been easy to fix. Parts are very easy to acquire, so don't be afraid of this old model for that reason. Drives a post-hole auger way faster than a skid steerer when we rented one to put in fence posts. We took the skid steerer back and finished the job with the 8N!
Pros: Cheap, good power, easy to repair.
Cons: No independent PTO, no roll bar or other safety equipment.
Model Year: 1949
Took a bit of work to get it back up to speed but this one has been used as an orchard tractor for 9 years now. Plenty of power for how we use it, it starts reliably and has been easy to fix. Parts are very easy to acquire, so don't be afraid of this old model for that reason. Drives a post-hole auger way faster than a skid steerer when we rented one to put in fence posts. We took the skid steerer back and finished the job with the 8N!
Pros: Cheap, good power, easy to repair.
Cons: No independent PTO, no roll bar or other safety equipment.
Old Reliable
Model Year: 1952
Dad bought it new, in 1952. I was 5 years old. Learned to drive it at six, I started farming with it at seven. Sold the farm last year, but could not part with the 8N. Has been rebuilt several times. I now have it in my shop, being rebuilt cosmetically. Converted to 12V, electronic ignition, and screw-on oil filter, and all new wiring. I'll keep it until I'm gone.
Pros: Parts availabilty, starts when I tell it to.
Cons: Live PTO, I fixed with over- run clutch.
Model Year: 1952
Dad bought it new, in 1952. I was 5 years old. Learned to drive it at six, I started farming with it at seven. Sold the farm last year, but could not part with the 8N. Has been rebuilt several times. I now have it in my shop, being rebuilt cosmetically. Converted to 12V, electronic ignition, and screw-on oil filter, and all new wiring. I'll keep it until I'm gone.
Pros: Parts availabilty, starts when I tell it to.
Cons: Live PTO, I fixed with over- run clutch.
My First and Only Tractor
Model Year: 1950
Got this 8N at auction with Dearborn manure scoop and 6ft blade for $2,600. After a year of aggravation I upgraded the ignition from 6v to 12v---now it starts every time, even in 20 below winter. Very hard to steer with the scoop and blade on so the scoop sits in the shed. Use mostly for hauling wood from the woods via utility trailer, brush-hogging the pasture, power-augering for fence posts, and moving heavy material around the property, plus running a PTO-driven hydraulic log splitter. I've have a ton of fun with her and she's been about 75 percent reliable. Great thing is it's simplicity--not much can go wrong with it that isn't fixable with a quick trip to the auto parts store or local farm supply.
Pros: Simple, rugged, reliable, lightweight, standup clutch & brakes, starter safety lockout.
Cons: Vaprlock on hot days mowing the fields; gearbox and PTO freeze up in extreme cold if you don't keep a close watch on the hydraulic oil.
Model Year: 1950
Got this 8N at auction with Dearborn manure scoop and 6ft blade for $2,600. After a year of aggravation I upgraded the ignition from 6v to 12v---now it starts every time, even in 20 below winter. Very hard to steer with the scoop and blade on so the scoop sits in the shed. Use mostly for hauling wood from the woods via utility trailer, brush-hogging the pasture, power-augering for fence posts, and moving heavy material around the property, plus running a PTO-driven hydraulic log splitter. I've have a ton of fun with her and she's been about 75 percent reliable. Great thing is it's simplicity--not much can go wrong with it that isn't fixable with a quick trip to the auto parts store or local farm supply.
Pros: Simple, rugged, reliable, lightweight, standup clutch & brakes, starter safety lockout.
Cons: Vaprlock on hot days mowing the fields; gearbox and PTO freeze up in extreme cold if you don't keep a close watch on the hydraulic oil.
Project Tractor
Model Year: 1950
I bought this tractor @ a very good price. I am just going to pressure wash, change fluids paint, etc. Already rebuilt carb. and changed PTO shaft to the larger 6 spline. Put new front tires, already had new rear tires. Bought a overrun clutch for bush hogging. I also, have a 2005 Terramite with backhoe loader and forks, of course no 3 point hitch, that is why I bought a 8N for 3 point hitch attachments. - Ronnie
Pros: I like both tractor equally as well.
Cons: None.
Model Year: 1950
I bought this tractor @ a very good price. I am just going to pressure wash, change fluids paint, etc. Already rebuilt carb. and changed PTO shaft to the larger 6 spline. Put new front tires, already had new rear tires. Bought a overrun clutch for bush hogging. I also, have a 2005 Terramite with backhoe loader and forks, of course no 3 point hitch, that is why I bought a 8N for 3 point hitch attachments. - Ronnie
Pros: I like both tractor equally as well.
Cons: None.
Mountain 8N
Model Year: 1949
My grandfather bought this 8N new around 1949 for a mountain cabin he bought along with 350 acres. He used the tractor for everything including building a lake with just a drag bucket. Several adult grandchildren families are the owners now and care and maintenance is not consistent. It has had work done on it at various times and currently runs great.
Pros: Great little work horse.
Cons: Minimal features/capabilities compared to modern tractors.
Model Year: 1949
My grandfather bought this 8N new around 1949 for a mountain cabin he bought along with 350 acres. He used the tractor for everything including building a lake with just a drag bucket. Several adult grandchildren families are the owners now and care and maintenance is not consistent. It has had work done on it at various times and currently runs great.
Pros: Great little work horse.
Cons: Minimal features/capabilities compared to modern tractors.