2 Ford 8N's at auction, what to look for?

[alexanderg23]

Can y'all give me any examples of a better tractor for just a little bit more? It seems to me they go from the $2000 range to the $5000-6000 range quickly.

Thanks in advance.

 

[alexanderg23]

I've run a brush hog on an 8N and it'll work, but it's far from the best setup. The lack of live power and live hydraulics can be a huge pain. I recall getting stuck one time in soft, uneven ground where the hog got hooked, and I had to disengage the PTO shaft so I could let the clutch out to raise the hog before putting it in gear to move. If I tried to let the clutch out with the shaft still attached the blades turned and hit the ground, stalling the engine....it was a mess.

The case 255 was available with a live PTO, which is a plus...not sure on live hydraulics, but I would guess so. I may be mistaken, but I thought that series (made by Mitsubishi) might be one that sourcing parts is getting difficult...I'd search on that.

Do you know about the parts for the Case?

 

[LD1]

Can y'all give me any examples of a better tractor for just a little bit more? It seems to me they go from the $2000 range to the $5000-6000 range quickly.

Thanks in advance.

Ford 600/800 series or 601/801 series. 2000/3000 series.

Yea, they cost more, but its worth it.

MF135 as already suggested.

I would spend $5000 on an 801 series long before I would drop $3k on an 8n.

 

[alexanderg23]

What about an international 424?

 

[LD1]

What about an international 424?

Lots better than an 8n.

If you shop 30-40hp tractors from the late 1950's to mid 1970's there are hundreds of good models.

You want 3ph for sure, and live PTO. Power steering is a plus.

Other than that, what you end up getting is likely going to have alot more to do with what is available for sale in your area in a price you like.

Look at them tires and rims too. No matter what you get, if you get something that will need tires and rims that will add ~$1000 to the cost.

 

[Ultradog MN]

I disagree about needing live pto. To me it's not a big deal and I use my tractors for brush mowing more than anything. Put an over running clutch on the pto shaft and you are good to go.
On the other hand, I would surely cry if I couldn't have power steering. I would take PS 3-1 over live power.
Buy a Ford though. Absolutely, positively get a tractor with FACTORY 3 point hitch.
Hold out for a 1955 or newer one. Skip the Ns and Jubilees.
600, 800, 601, 801, etc, etc are outstanding small tractors. And parts for them - both new and used are readily available. Not so with a lot of brands/models.
Yes you will pay more for one. But will get a whole lot better tractor so you money is better spent than it would be buying an N. They call it Value - not the cheapest, not most expensive - just the most bang for your buck.

 

[LD1]

I disagree about needing live pto. To me it's not a big deal and I use my tractors for brush mowing more than anything. Put an over running clutch on the pto shaft and you are good to go.
On the other hand, I would surely cry if I couldn't have power steering. I would take PS 3-1 over live power.
Buy a Ford though. Absolutely, positively get a tractor with FACTORY 3 point hitch.
Hold out for a 1955 or newer one. Skip the Ns and Jubilees.
600, 800, 601, 801, etc, etc are outstanding small tractors. And parts for them - both new and used are readily available. Not so with a lot of brands/models.
Yes you will pay more for one. But will get a whole lot better tractor so you money is better spent than it would be buying an N. They call it Value - not the cheapest, not most expensive - just the most bang for your buck.

Live PTO isnt the biggest deal. But live hydraulics are. I would take live hydraulics over PS any day

 

[alexanderg23]

One of my friends is having an estate sale of his grandmother, it's an auction on Saturday. There is a Ford 6610 that will be auctioned off. He says its a good running machine, the hydraulics in the back are a little "slow" says just to keep hy fluid filled. What would be a great price on this, like too good to pass up? It's a lot bigger than I need, but is a beast. He's sad to see his families stuff auctioned off and would be glad to see me get it.

If it was too big for what I needed to I'd like to be able to sell it easy and not lose $.

 

[motownbrowne]

Well, that's in a whole different world than an 8n. That's a big, heavy, powerful tractor. It's also diesel. It'll really depend on your situation, but I'm inclined to think that that's bigger than you'll want. Personally, if I wanted a second tractor just for bush hogging, tilling, etc, something that big would be more than I would want.

Personally, I'd stick with a gasser. That red tiger in the 6&800 series Ford is well regarded, and the whole machine is simpler to work on and cheaper to get parts for (because they're much smaller than that 6610). If you're comfortable working on older diesels, and the one you're looking at doesn't have a million hours and hasn't been abused, then maybe you should consider it. Seems like it'll go for somewhere between $6-9k, but that's really just a guess.

 

[LD1]

I agree, more than you are gonna want. More expensive to maintain, more difficult to maintain, and certainly harder to work on. Not to mention when you get to that size of a machine, 3PH implements fall into a different class and are alot more expensive new, and few and far between used.

If strictly looking to possibly flip it, 6k and you probably wont loose money. Assuming it does run decent. Any less than that would probably be icing on the cake. But what that would do for a friendship if bought just to flip?