Thinking about a 9n.

[wolc123]

My first tractor was a 1951 Ford 8n that I bought from the widow of the original owner, with 1200 hours on it, around 1990. It served me ok and I put almost that same number of hours on it over the last 35 years.

There were a few jobs, that I liked it better for, than any of my newer tractors. Those include: 1) Planting small areas of corn with my 2-row JD-246 planter. 2) Cultivating sweetcorn 3) Plowing small areas with the factory supplied 2 x 12 moldboard plow. 4) Hauling firewood with a 3-point carryall.

It quit on me last fall, with an unknown, “weak spark” issue. I sold it this spring, for a couple hundred less than I paid for it. I didn’t miss it for plowing because it was so wet this spring, that it would have been a step or two from completely useless, even if it did run. My 4wd JD had no problems pulling that little plow thru the standing water.

I did miss it a bit at corn planting time. That smooth running little flat head four gas engine is much quieter than the diesel on my Deere. That makes it a lot easier to listen for problems with the planter. The lower operators platform on the old Ford, and easy on/off from the operators platform, from both sides, is much more convenient while planting, adding seed and fertilizer to the hoppers as needed.

The light weight of that Ford, and well designed 3 point hitch made changing implements a cake walk, compared to my heavier Deere. Not having a loader hanging off the front was also nice for lots of jobs.

I drove by the 9n for sale, on my way home from work, a couple days ago. The price on it was marked $ 100 more than I sold my non-running 8n for, plus “or BO”.

If it runs ok, the hydraulics work, and it’s been converted to 12 volts, I’ll offer $ 100 less than I sold my non-running 8n for. Lots of “ifs” there, so it most likely won’t happen. There’s always a chance though. It sure would be nice for planting corn, and some of the other “odd jobs”, so that I don’t have to keep taking the bushhog off of my Deere.

 

[JJT]

Stop thinking and go buy it. You cannot go wrong, it's priced right.

 

[EdGooding]

Are you aware that the 9N does not have position control like your 8N?

 

[wolc123]

Are you aware that the 9N does not have position control like your 8N?

Very much so. It has both original top link adjustable side brackets with it, that can be used to hold the position for a mower or bushhog, and it also has the original pto cover on it.

I also like the blue paint, comfortable newer Ford seat, and low reverse gear that the 9n’s had. That will be nice for moving material around, scooping in reverse, with my pond scoop.

My 2 row cultivator and planter have separate depth control on them, and the carryall pretty much works only full up or full down. I see no problems with the lack of position control on the 9n.

I still won’t buy it unless it starts and runs ok though. All the tires hold air and the back right looks like new.

The best part about owning a red blue or orange antique tractor, is the appreciation the gives me, for always have at least one green one, to get the work done. I sold my old grey & red Ford, and Orange Allis Chalmers, so getting the blue Ford would be good.

My biggest fear about it is electrical ignition issues. I’ve got my Farmall Cub back again, and it’s running awesome, but the friend I sold my old 8n to is still struggling with it.

If this 9n has been converted to 12 volts, and it runs real smooth now, I’ll think about buying it. I really don’t have access to a good Ford tractor mechanic right now.

It’s also too heavy and big to fit in the bed of my pickup (like my Farmall Cub does), and I got no trailer. That means I’d need to sell it or park it in the hedgerow as an ornament, if it gave me ignition trouble.

That said, if all my “preconditions” check out, and it’s still there when I get back from vacation out of state next week, I’ll still fork over up to $800 for it. Probably not a penny more though.

 

[John0829]

For some reason the brake arrangement on the 9N messes with my mind. I much prefer the 8N tractors, wish I had mine back many times. And again personal opinion, but blue paint on them is just wrong to me. I know many were painted blue after Ford changed the color scheme in the 60's but IMHO I feel they should be the color they were born in, battleship grey as Henry painted. Ain't my tractor so, to each his or her own.

 

[EdGooding]

Those side brackets are not intended to hold an implement at a certain height. They are called drawbar stays and are there to be used with a cross drawbar to keep it from rising up.
You can use limiter chains to keep your mowers, or any other equipment, at a set height. They also allow you to raise the mower, set the limiter chains to hold that height, and turn off your PTO so you don't have the blades turning as you return to the barn.

 

[wolc123]

Assuming I get it, I doubt I’ll ever use any pto implement on it. If I need to, I’ll try making up some limiter chains, and definitely get an overrunning coupler. It looks like they can still be had for $ 75, which is about what I paid for the one for my 8n about 30 years ago.

Like I mentioned, I’ll mostly be using it on the corn planter, cultivator, and carryall, none of which will miss the lack of hydraulic positions control, like the 8n had.

This will be a user, not a shower, so I also prefer the blue paint, and the updated seat.

 

[NC419N]

The Brake arrangement on the 9N drives me crazy. I have one only cause it was my Great Great Grandfather’s. But to think where tractors came from and where they are today is revolutionary for sure

 

[wolc123]

Today’s the day I find out if that old 9n is still available. I don’t care much one way or the other, but it’s still there, and the owner will take $ 800 for it (in running condition), I’ll likely go for it. If it’s a non-runner, my mechanic buddy said he’d work on it for me. Of course I’ll likely drop my offering price a little, if that’s the case.

 

[wolc123]

I see it’s still there and still marked $ 1000 obo. I noted the flexible pipe connection between the carb and the air cleaner was apart, the last time I stopped to look at it, two weeks ago. I didn’t see if it still was, on my quick drive by, today.

That tells me that it most likely doesn’t run and if it did, it probably needed a shot of ether, to start. If it’s still there next Monday, I’ll call the owner and maybe go check it out and make an offer.

In the meantime, I’m going to make up a cheap three point adapter, so that I can use the two section drag that I have on my home farm, with my Farmall Cub. I just got that one back from my mechanic buddy, in pristine “runs like a watch” condition.

I know from previous usages, that little 10 hp Cub will handle a 2-section drag at the shallower settings.

The most important thing that owning Red, Grey, Blue, and Orange antique tractors has given me, is more appreciation for the green ones.

That said, if the price is right (under $ 1k including any needed repair), I’d be willing to give a Ford one more chance. If this one gives me trouble, that will be the “last strike” though

In addition to the first tractor I ever owned, 1951 Ford 8n, I also had a model 1970 something 2110 diesel for about 15 years. Of those two, I liked the 8n the best. Maybe older was better, when it came to the Fords, and this old 9n will turn out to be my favorite.

That 2210 diesel always took a shot of ether to start, when the temp outside was below 60, and I definitely don’t want to go there again.

That’s the opposite of my experience with the antique orange ones. I had a lot more good service from my grandads newer Allis Chalmers D-14, than I did from the pre war model C, that I owned for about 20 years.

The jury’s still out on the red ones, and I’m not sure of the year of either of the two Farmall Cubs that I’ve owned. The last one was more or less completely worn out when I got it, while the one I got now, had very few hours on it. No doubt, that’s why it’s given me less problems so far.