8N vs 2320 question

[rolandfarm]

I currently have a 1952 Ford 8N and am thinking of buying a JD 2320. Primary task is brush hogging 5-6 acres on flat ground. I do have an old double "V" heavy disk that I use every couple of years to disc up a piece of pasture for alphafa, native grass planting, etc.
Will the 2320 do what the 8N will, without knowing the weight, do you think it will pick up the disc? What about my 5ft brush hog I got from tractor supply, will it work on the 8N?
Thanks

 

[kebo]

Here is some data for the 8N:

TractorData.com Ford 8N tractor information

And here is same for 2320:

TractorData.com - John Deere 2320 tractor data


As you already knew, the 8N has considerably more weight and HP. I don't have any real experience with either one of these tractors so I'll defer to others who have, but I thought you might at least like to look over some of the spec's. I will hazard a couple guesses though....

That ""V" disc heavy plow you referred to will probably make the front end VERY light on a 2320, unless you add additional weights (that is assuming it can pick it up in the first place).

I also would guess that a 2320 or an 8N will run a 5ft bush hog with relative ease, but the 2320 may struggle in really heavy brush and bog down some.

Good luck!

 

[Cocre]

I have a 49 8N and a JD 3320. If all you want to do is pull the disc and use a rough cut mower, the 8N will do fine. You may need to change the 8N PTO shaft from a 1.125" to a 1.375" or just buy an adapter (if it has not already been converted), and you will also need an overrunning clutch to prevent the mower from pushing you around and causing you to run over your family members.

I do not know much about the 2320, but my 3320 is a much more pleasant machine than the 8N, and there really is just no comparison. I must say that the 8N does handle the 6 ft box blade in loose sand better than the 3320, but that is probably due to the Ag tires vs the R4s on the JD.

 

[whitedogone]

Think of the 2320 as a big lawn tractor. It's not much more than that.

 

[rolandfarm]

Thanks Cocre-
I currently have an 8n with the modifications you suggested. I was thinking of "upgrading" to the JD2320 because of the transmission, newer everything, cool FEL, safer, etc. I thought the 2320 would be able to take the place of the 8N but I wanted to check with you guys first.
Any other feedback/thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks
Tony

 

[whitedogone]

If you want an update to the old ford, go with a modern tractor with the same or sightly more HP AND weight. You will LOVE a new machine.

 

[JD755]

Or you could get a new 8N.

New Holland | Boomer | Tractors | New Tractor - 8N, 50 Horsepower

 

[deere5105]

Based on my experience, you can not base replacing an older tractor with a new one solely on HP. I believe most will agree that the older lower HP tractors will "out work" the newer ones and so far as I can see weight is the main issue. If all you are doing is mowing you will be fine, but when it comes to ground engaging tools you will be left with your tires spinning and disappointed.

 

[JSR LLS]

I have 5 acres that I brush hog using a 2320. Before we bought it, we used our neighbor's Ford Jubilee with a 6' brush hog. There isn't much comparison about driving and riding on the two. I use a 4' TSC brush hog on my 2320 and really wouldn't want to put too much more on its 3 point. The biggest thing is it takes FOREVER (at least it seems like it, but hey it is seat time) to cut that acreage with the 4 footer.

 

[OtterBrookStables]

I have a 1951 Ford 8N. It's been in my family since new, so it's a bit sentimental. We restored it, so it's pretty nice. But - no camparison to our new JD's. Not even a vague similarity. The 8N is fun to play with, and I remember working the hay fields with it as a kid. But our 4120 or 2210 both outperform it beyond any comparison. In every way - power, reliability, comfort, etc. As others have said, you will appreciate a new tractor very much. Keep the old Ford if you can afford to do so - just for kicks .

 

[NewJDGuy]

I use my father's fully restored 1949 8N to cut his 5 acres with a woods finishing mower, and when the 8N was down, I used my 2520 with the same mower. No comparison, the 2520 worked it much better. I can take a slow sharp turn without having to slow the blade speed (single clutch on 8N), power steering, etc. The 8N is much heavier, so will tow the ground implements better as previously noted. You can approach this by adding weight. I love fact I now only have one tractor to maintain, and can easily switch implements. Plus, the 8N is can be a bit tempermental if you need to stop and restart (i.e. need to add gas, or take a break) as it hates to hot start. I don't think you'll go wrong with the 2320. See if the dealer will let you try it out. The bush hog isn't likely going to be a problem, only the disc, if that.

 

[southrnr17]

I have been nothing but impressed with my 2320. It has done everything I have asked of it with no problems. I have experience running a 4' bush hog, 4' tiller, 1 row planter, 1 row cultivator, 10' sprayer, middle buster, corn picker, etc. Here is a picture of my 2320 pulling a New Idea 323 corn picker and my wagon with about 1200lb of corn in it. No problem up to that amount, but this weight is about all it can handle before it runs out of traction. Don't try to get off flat ground or all 4 tires will just spin. Need a heavier tractor to pull more.

 

[stlbill]

I can beat my grandfather in a foot race.

Isn't this about the same comparison?

 

[mrtfelton]

Look at the 3032e. Great tractor and its not that much more.

 

[Wombat125]

Here is a picture of my 2320 pulling a New Idea 323 corn picker and my wagon with about 1200lb of corn in it. No problem up to that amount, but this weight is about all it can handle before it runs out of traction. Don't try to get off flat ground or all 4 tires will just spin. Need a heavier tractor to pull more.

That's a pretty cool picture. Post a few more if ya got some.

 

[stlbill]

Look at the 3032e. Great tractor and its not that much more.

I agree on the price, but when I was looking at tractors the 3032E did not have very many options compared to it's 2000 and 3000-Series siblings. I seem to have found it hard to get a MMM, for example.

Is the Build-Your-Own program at Deere.com just confused or is the 3032E a less-dynamic purpose-built tractor that does one thing better than the same siblings? Something about the model number 3032E is sure unique.

-Bill

 

[PLUMBER]

load the 4 tires with beet juice or "Rim Guard " you wont belive the diffrence it makes

 

[jcmseven]

There is no doubt in my mind the 2320 would suit your needs. If the 2520 can do it, the 2320 likely can, too. There are some important considerations to keep in mind here. First, the 8n was really a tractor. It is heavy, which is good and bad and has about three more PTO HP. I doubt it makes as much torque, but we do not know this. The 2320 is a lighter machine with four wheel drive. The MFWD will make it behave as a tractor that has 7-10 more BHP, or a 30-35 HP machine with two-wheel drive--except powering implements. The 48" brush cutter is about the biggest this machine can handle and not bog in heavy cutting. It can handle a light LX 60" cutter in very light duties, but I would not recommend. If a company made a 54" cutter, that would be ideal for this type machine. Perhaps there is one out there. I run Rim Guard and two rear wheel weights each side on my 2320 and it weighes around 2200 pounds with this combination and no attachments. In my opinion, one would need to step into the 3000 series machines to achieve much more capability, though the 2720 has 31 HP and could easily power a 5 foot cutter, just not the MX level (too heavy). My personal favorite of the 3000 series is the 3320. It has plenty of attachment power, heavy duty frame and for the features one gets it is not that pricey. The 3520 and 3720 do offer more PTO HP, but not enough in my mind to justify their additional cost. I do take some issue with the poster's opinion that the 2320 is "a lawn tractor." This simply is not the case. The 2320 is a true compact tractor and will work any lawn and garden tractor into the ground three Mondays each week.

John M

 

[stlbill]

load the 4 tires with beet juice or "Rim Guard " you wont belive the diffrence it makes

I can certainly attest to the value in loading tires on a small tractor. However, the John Deere Compact Utility Tractor Ballast Calculator ( Microsoft Excel required) does not recommend loading the front tires of the 2320.

-Bill

 

[jcmseven]

JD Corporate believes that loading the front tires will put undue stress on the front axles, etc. This might be true in the 2000 axles, but I can say without doubt I had the fronts loaded on my 4520 and it did make some difference--just not much. The reality of front loading the tires is that they just do not hold very much, and really offer no significant traction increas unless the tires are really large and voluminous.

John M