Ford 8N Reviews
My 8N
Model Year: 1952
Considering the age and lack of maintenance, this tractor is awesome. It's sound, strong, and with a little work will be a pleasure to operate. It's hard to imagine a newer machine being this reliable.
Pros: Build to last.
Cons: Poorly maintained. Challenging to operate initially.
Model Year: 1952
Considering the age and lack of maintenance, this tractor is awesome. It's sound, strong, and with a little work will be a pleasure to operate. It's hard to imagine a newer machine being this reliable.
Pros: Build to last.
Cons: Poorly maintained. Challenging to operate initially.
Old, But Still Living a Productive Life...
Model Year: 1951
I am still relatively new to the tractor ownership life. I had 85 acres to take care of with very little money for equipment purchases. I bought this 8N because it was inexpensive. I must admit, although it is 62 years old and it is definitely not a looker, it is one tough machine. It runs very well with a lot of power for its age. Obviously, it would be nice to have a live PTO and other modern benefits, but for the price and size, it works very well for me.
Pros: Inexpensive, easy to work on.
Cons: No live PTO, hydraulics can be challenging managing lift height.
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Model Year: 1951
I am still relatively new to the tractor ownership life. I had 85 acres to take care of with very little money for equipment purchases. I bought this 8N because it was inexpensive. I must admit, although it is 62 years old and it is definitely not a looker, it is one tough machine. It runs very well with a lot of power for its age. Obviously, it would be nice to have a live PTO and other modern benefits, but for the price and size, it works very well for me.
Pros: Inexpensive, easy to work on.
Cons: No live PTO, hydraulics can be challenging managing lift height.
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8N
Model Year: 1949
What can be said about an 8N that hasn't already been said? Wonderful old tractor. A bit under powered and light in the front end, especially with heavy implements on the rear. But they just take a lickin' and keep on tickin'. Best tractor for the money that is available IMO.
Pros: Inexpensive, reliable.
Cons: Under powered, light in front end.
Model Year: 1949
What can be said about an 8N that hasn't already been said? Wonderful old tractor. A bit under powered and light in the front end, especially with heavy implements on the rear. But they just take a lickin' and keep on tickin'. Best tractor for the money that is available IMO.
Pros: Inexpensive, reliable.
Cons: Under powered, light in front end.
My Dads Old Tractor
Model Year: 1951
Got it after he passed away, no brakes, poor performance, had leaking axle seals, replaced them and brakes. Engine was .020 over and had stock rings, bored .083 over, new pistons, rings, vale job, crank .010 .010, new oil pump kit, 12 volt alternator, truck starter drive. Now starts 1st crank. Has more power than needed, and will lock brakes on blacktop. Good reliable tractor.
Pros: Dependable.
Cons: Needs another repaint.
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Model Year: 1951
Got it after he passed away, no brakes, poor performance, had leaking axle seals, replaced them and brakes. Engine was .020 over and had stock rings, bored .083 over, new pistons, rings, vale job, crank .010 .010, new oil pump kit, 12 volt alternator, truck starter drive. Now starts 1st crank. Has more power than needed, and will lock brakes on blacktop. Good reliable tractor.
Pros: Dependable.
Cons: Needs another repaint.
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Old but Good
Model Year: 1948
Considering this tractor is over 60+ years old many components are in remarkable condition. Much of it has been rebuilt, but many of the original parts are in excellent shape. The straight-forward way of the design makes this tractor a pleasure for the home mechanic to work on. Look forward to getting it out in the field to do some work.
Pros: Well documented repair procedures. Easy-access to major components.
Cons: Must consider the immediate need for spare parts. The maintenance schedule is considerable.
Model Year: 1948
Considering this tractor is over 60+ years old many components are in remarkable condition. Much of it has been rebuilt, but many of the original parts are in excellent shape. The straight-forward way of the design makes this tractor a pleasure for the home mechanic to work on. Look forward to getting it out in the field to do some work.
Pros: Well documented repair procedures. Easy-access to major components.
Cons: Must consider the immediate need for spare parts. The maintenance schedule is considerable.
What Can You Say About an 8N?
Model Year: 1950
The engineering on this tractor is amazing. Very easy to see why Ford sold so many of them. Even at age 62, this is a dependable little workhorse. My wife and I bought a 5-acre property four years ago. I considered a tractor then and foolishly bought a small, side-by-side utility vehicle instead. This was what I needed all along. Love everything about it.
Pros: Dependability, sturdiness, simplicity.
Cons: There are cons?
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Model Year: 1950
The engineering on this tractor is amazing. Very easy to see why Ford sold so many of them. Even at age 62, this is a dependable little workhorse. My wife and I bought a 5-acre property four years ago. I considered a tractor then and foolishly bought a small, side-by-side utility vehicle instead. This was what I needed all along. Love everything about it.
Pros: Dependability, sturdiness, simplicity.
Cons: There are cons?
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Ford 8N: Barking Fox Farm
Model Year: 1947
We bought our tractor at an auction and feel we got a good deal. After having stood in the rain on a dark night to see the tractor (we knew nothing about tractors at that time), research told us the 8N was a good starter tractor. A friend helped us truck it back to our farm. Over the years, we have done most of the service work when possible and it has been a very reliable tractor. Our research paid off.
Pros: Runs great most of the time!
Cons: Does not like to run in rain or snow due to front mount distributor.
Model Year: 1947
We bought our tractor at an auction and feel we got a good deal. After having stood in the rain on a dark night to see the tractor (we knew nothing about tractors at that time), research told us the 8N was a good starter tractor. A friend helped us truck it back to our farm. Over the years, we have done most of the service work when possible and it has been a very reliable tractor. Our research paid off.
Pros: Runs great most of the time!
Cons: Does not like to run in rain or snow due to front mount distributor.
Most Afforadable for Home Farm
Model Year: 1951
These were the highest production tractor's in American history. Every part for these tractor's are still in production by several manufacturer's and part's for them are cheap. You will have to work on it from time to time unless you buy one restored or well maintained. They are very simply designed for easy operation and repair. They have all the main features you need for working around the small farm without the high price. 3 point hitch with hydraulic lift, PTO, 4 speed transmission plus reverse, 27HP engine and draft control for plowing. You can find them in fair shape for around $2,000.00 or you can get A comparable tractor new for around $20,000.00 with much more expensive parts. It's no secret these tractors are great for the money.
Pros: Cheap parts, parts available, low price, all major features needed.
Cons: No power steering from the factory. These tractors have been out of production for 60 years so unless you buy one that has been very well maintained or restored you will have to work on it from time to time.
Model Year: 1951
These were the highest production tractor's in American history. Every part for these tractor's are still in production by several manufacturer's and part's for them are cheap. You will have to work on it from time to time unless you buy one restored or well maintained. They are very simply designed for easy operation and repair. They have all the main features you need for working around the small farm without the high price. 3 point hitch with hydraulic lift, PTO, 4 speed transmission plus reverse, 27HP engine and draft control for plowing. You can find them in fair shape for around $2,000.00 or you can get A comparable tractor new for around $20,000.00 with much more expensive parts. It's no secret these tractors are great for the money.
Pros: Cheap parts, parts available, low price, all major features needed.
Cons: No power steering from the factory. These tractors have been out of production for 60 years so unless you buy one that has been very well maintained or restored you will have to work on it from time to time.
Tractor and Owner Made the Same Year
Model Year: 1948
I purchased this tractor from a fellow who did some work for my department before I retired. He was very fastidious and efficient. I knew the tractor would have been taken well care of. It is the same model that I had working on the farm in my youth. It was like going back 50 years. The tractor has been great and up to every task I have given it. I know it's limitations, and they are the same as mine.
Pros: Great tractor at a great price for me.
Cons: Low horsepower, live pto.
Model Year: 1948
I purchased this tractor from a fellow who did some work for my department before I retired. He was very fastidious and efficient. I knew the tractor would have been taken well care of. It is the same model that I had working on the farm in my youth. It was like going back 50 years. The tractor has been great and up to every task I have given it. I know it's limitations, and they are the same as mine.
Pros: Great tractor at a great price for me.
Cons: Low horsepower, live pto.
Our Redbelly
Model Year: 1949
I bought our 1949 8N Ford tractor used in 1998 from the local New Holland dealer. We only have a couple of acres combined, but a small tractor has proved to be a very valuable little piece of equipment to have to help with landscaping, yard maintenance and driveway maintenance. While our little Redbelly may not have all the bells and whistles of many other tractors, it has always performed admirably considering the cost compared to the other tractors available. One of my relatives with a new 4x4 foreign made tractor that does have many nice features on it was bragging about his new tractor and slighting my little 8N at every opportunity when I finally had to say, “I doubt that fancy tractor will still be running when it is 63 years old or if anyone will still sell parts for it.” He got quiet after that. Simply construction, parts availability, and low cost are what attracts me to the old Fords. It may require a tinker here and there on a regular basis, but I can do all the maintenance and repairs myself. I do believe, I could build a brand new 8N from the ground up if I had the money to just order all the new parts that are still being made. That is saying a lot for a 60+ year old tractor. There are tractors out there that will do more, but for someone on a budget with small acreage to tend to, that don’t mind getting into the occasional repairs and maintenance required, the little Redbelly Fords are hard to beat.
Pros: Simply repairs, low cost, parts availability and low seat height.
Cons: Safety features and more build in hydraulic & attachment features for front end loaders and belly attachments.
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Model Year: 1949
I bought our 1949 8N Ford tractor used in 1998 from the local New Holland dealer. We only have a couple of acres combined, but a small tractor has proved to be a very valuable little piece of equipment to have to help with landscaping, yard maintenance and driveway maintenance. While our little Redbelly may not have all the bells and whistles of many other tractors, it has always performed admirably considering the cost compared to the other tractors available. One of my relatives with a new 4x4 foreign made tractor that does have many nice features on it was bragging about his new tractor and slighting my little 8N at every opportunity when I finally had to say, “I doubt that fancy tractor will still be running when it is 63 years old or if anyone will still sell parts for it.” He got quiet after that. Simply construction, parts availability, and low cost are what attracts me to the old Fords. It may require a tinker here and there on a regular basis, but I can do all the maintenance and repairs myself. I do believe, I could build a brand new 8N from the ground up if I had the money to just order all the new parts that are still being made. That is saying a lot for a 60+ year old tractor. There are tractors out there that will do more, but for someone on a budget with small acreage to tend to, that don’t mind getting into the occasional repairs and maintenance required, the little Redbelly Fords are hard to beat.
Pros: Simply repairs, low cost, parts availability and low seat height.
Cons: Safety features and more build in hydraulic & attachment features for front end loaders and belly attachments.
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How Much Green Paint Can You Get for $3,000?
Model Year: 1951
Found a great deal on this 8N W/6ft. back blade, 5ft.brush hog & post hole auger. She's not a parade queen but boy does she run sweet. My son piped up with "Hey dad, there's finally something around here older than you!". Brought it home on Thursday & broke it Monday[Memorial Day] The previous owner must have replaced the brush hog's shear pin with a grade 8 bolt. I got about 100 ft and found a small stump hidden in the tall grass & sheared the end off the PTO shaft. My wife made me get in the car to go to Smith Implements in Edwardsburg, MI. with me complaining: "He's NOT gonna be there!". By golly he was open for business, pulled one off the shelf and $100.00 later we're ready to get her back to work. Have since acquired a 5ft. Woods finish mower, carry-all, 3 more auger bits, and front end loader. So far we have about 3 grand invested.
Pros: Economical, parts readily available.
Cons: You have to work within it's limitations.
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Model Year: 1951
Found a great deal on this 8N W/6ft. back blade, 5ft.brush hog & post hole auger. She's not a parade queen but boy does she run sweet. My son piped up with "Hey dad, there's finally something around here older than you!". Brought it home on Thursday & broke it Monday[Memorial Day] The previous owner must have replaced the brush hog's shear pin with a grade 8 bolt. I got about 100 ft and found a small stump hidden in the tall grass & sheared the end off the PTO shaft. My wife made me get in the car to go to Smith Implements in Edwardsburg, MI. with me complaining: "He's NOT gonna be there!". By golly he was open for business, pulled one off the shelf and $100.00 later we're ready to get her back to work. Have since acquired a 5ft. Woods finish mower, carry-all, 3 more auger bits, and front end loader. So far we have about 3 grand invested.
Pros: Economical, parts readily available.
Cons: You have to work within it's limitations.
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8N Ford
Model Year: 1952
Best tractor made.
Pros: Great utility tractor.
Cons: PTO only runs when clutch is engaged.
Model Year: 1952
Best tractor made.
Pros: Great utility tractor.
Cons: PTO only runs when clutch is engaged.