Buying Advice New Member Looking At First Tractor - Ford (9N/8N)

[Stilgar762]

What were the improvements they put into the 8N over the 9N?

 

[Tractorable]

8N has floor boards instead of foot pegs, easier to service side mount distributor, a few more HP, later 8N’s have a tachometer that shows your PTO speed, 9N might have a 3 speed trans instead of 4 speed on the 8N. The 1951-52 8N model years are the best of the bunch.

I gave my 1952 8N to a friend a few years ago. To me, the 8N was romantic and somewhat useful for mowing but has a lot of limitations. The main problems for an 8N in Minnesota are no 4wd, no diff lock, and light weight. They get stuck VERY easily.

The other problem with them is they’re geared too high. You can’t go slow enough when mowing thick grass. To keep the power up you have to max out the throttle to keep the mower turning but then you’re going too fast to cut the material.

Reverse gear is also very fast. You have to be quick on the clutch and brakes to avoid hitting your fences or trees. Also, no roll over protection so if you roll it you’re dead. You need a PTO overrun clutch to keep the momentum from a bush hog driving the tractor through the transmission and you into a fence.

With your budget I’d recommend you look at a Ford 3000/4000 or especially a 3910 or other -XX10 series Ford.

With 60 acres up north you really need to plan for a tractor with 4wd and a loader.

 

[fried1765]

8N has floor boards instead of foot pegs, easier to service side mount distributor, a few more HP, later 8N’s have a tachometer that shows your PTO speed, 9N might have a 3 speed trans instead of 4 speed on the 8N. The 1951-52 model years are the best of the bunch.

I gave my 1952 8N to a friend a few years ago. To me, the 8N was romantic and somewhat useful for mowing but has a lot of limitations. The main problems for an 8N in Minnesota are no 4wd, no diff lock, and light weight. They get stuck VERY easily.

The other problem with them is they’re geared too high. You can’t go slow enough when mowing thick grass. To keep the power up you have to max out the throttle to keep the mower turning but then you’re going too fast to cut the material.

Reverse gear is also very fast. You have to be quick on the clutch and brakes to avoid hitting your fences or trees. Also, no roll over protection so if you roll it you’re dead. You need a PTO overrun clutch to keep the momentum from a bush hog driving the tractor through the transmission and you into a fence.

With your budget I’d recommend you look at a Ford 3000/4000 or especially a 3910 or other -XX10 series Ford.

With 60 acres up north you really need to plan for a tractor with 4wd and a loader.

EXCELLENT ADVICE!
The 8N would be a penny wise and pound foolish choice!
I own a 1951 8N with Sherman transmission, in perfect condition.
It is sitting in my barn (I should sell it but likely won't).
I used it as a grader, but hasn't been run in 5 years.
It is an antique, and kinda cute but......that's it!

 

[airbiscuit]

The Ford 8n has a 4 speed transmission

1st - Too Fast
2nd - Way too Fast
3rd - You've Got to be Kidding
4th - WTF!

 

[Tractorable]

Here’s a much more useful Ford 3910 two states south of him for $5300.

With this 3910 you get diesel, much more weight, power, reliability, traction, good rubber with diff lock, and good gearing.

Pardon Our Interruption

 

[airbiscuit]

Or this 2110 Industrial near St. Cloud, MN - 38hp Diesel, 12 speed transmission - 30 years newer.

Ford 211 - farm & garden - by owner - sale

 

[fried1765]

What were the improvements they put into the 8N over the 9N?

You have requested information, and you are getting GOOD information!
Please do yourself a favor, and USE this information to buy a tractor that will serve you well.
The 9N/8N series is NOT the tractor that you should want!

 

[K5lwq]

I have always thought the 8N is a great first tractor! If you learn how to get work out of it and how to work on it you will be miles ahead of the game with a modern tractor. It will teach you to pay attention as you learn it's limits. Things like anticipating stops will go a long way. I hardly ever need my brakes because I started on a 8N at 6 years old.

 

[Tractorable]

I cant think of anything I would need a bucket for.

The biggest task to be done on rural properties is lifting and moving materials. That can be done with your back or a front end loader. The collective wisdom and hundreds of years of combined experience on this forum agree that a FEL is a very useful tool.

 

[fried1765]

The biggest task to be done on rural properties is lifting and moving materials. That can be done with your back or a front end loader. The collective wisdom and hundreds of years of combined experience on this forum agree that a FEL is a very useful tool.

I have 3 tractors!
One is a 1989 Ford 1920 4x4 with loader, I use it the most.
One is a 2006 Kubota L48 TLB, I use it infrequently.
One is a 1951 Ford 8N, I have not used it AT ALL in 5+ years (I don't even keep a battery in it).