Buying Advice 8N vs JD950

[cbrake]

Hi,

Looking for a tractor to:

plow snow on 1/2 mile lane (NE Ohio)
grade 1/2 mile gravel lane
skid logs for firewood, and perhaps a few occasionally for lumber (15 acres of woods or so)
rotary mower

Looking at two options:

8N, rebuilt motor, new paint/tires, $2500
JD950, 2WD, comes with back blade, disk and plow, $4200

I'm a little partial to the 8N as I grew up with a 9N, and I'm less concerned about getting parts and working on it.

Is the JD950 worth the extra money? It seems some of the advantages are live PTO and option for lower ground speed, but it seems like these issues can be lived with in the 8N.

What else should I be thinking about?

Welcome any options.

Thanks,
Cliff

 

[motownbrowne]

Does the 950 have live hydraulics? It gets old moving snow without them. Also, having a lower ground speed is very nice. One of our 8ns has the Sherman hi/lo. The one without seems to be missing something without it.

 

[HarryN]

JD 950 for sure....

 

[PHPaul]

No contest. Get the JD. The x50 series are some of the ruggedest tractors on the planet. It DOES have live hydraulics, not so sure about the live PTO.

 

[GManBart]

I'd go with the 950 in that scenario. Moving snow without live hydraulics can be a pain...when it's cold, and windy, I'd rather not fuss with putting it in neutral, letting out the clutch, raising the blade, pushing the clutch back in, putting it in gear, moving where you need to go, drop the blade, make a pass, then repeat.

 

[motownbrowne]

Just looked up the 950, that's gonna be way easier to use than an n. No contest. If you want on old gasser, that looks good, go for the 8n, if you want a more capable tractor that's easier to use, get the JD.

 

[Soundguy]

i'm a ford lover.. but the jd is likely a better choice even if lighter. it has a plow and disc with it brining it's value up.

it is newer.. and presumably has live hyds.

lower ground speed is a plus.

now if it was an 860 with ps.. I'd say differently.

 

[Gary Fowler]

JD 950 is much more tractor than the 8N which is more comparable to the JD 750 (19HP). It will have live PTO and hydraulics. BIL had a 750 and it had all the modern amenities of hydraulics and PTO so I am sure the 950 will also. I know the 750 had the Yanmar diesel engine so I assume that the 950 does also.

 

[GManBart]

JD 950 is much more tractor than the 8N which is more comparable to the JD 750 (19HP). It will have live PTO and hydraulics. BIL had a 750 and it had all the modern amenities of hydraulics and PTO so I am sure the 950 will also. I know the 750 had the Yanmar diesel engine so I assume that the 950 does also.

I'm not so sure the 8N/750 comparison works well....similar power, but the 8N weighs 25% more, so it should be able to do more work with the same power.

 

[Soundguy]

I'm not so sure the 8N/750 comparison works well....similar power, but the 8N weighs 25% more, so it should be able to do more work with the same power.

i agree. the 8n hp is almost bang on with the 950, just a couple less. weight is a plus.

the downsides are hyds, froundspeed and lack of a live pto. I know the 950 has an option for 2 stage clutch after a certain sn. not sure what the early trans was though.

 

[wolftree]

As a first or only tractor, the JD 950 stands far above the 8N Ford. There are 40 years of advancement in the JD. The drawbar tractors of the 40s and 50s make great second tractors, but not as primary tractors.

 

[Soundguy]

As a first or only tractor, the JD 950 stands far above the 8N Ford. There are 40 years of advancement in the JD. The drawbar tractors of the 40s and 50s make great second tractors, but not as primary tractors.

i wouldn't class the N as a 'drawbar' tractor so much. it actually had a 3pt hitch.

something with no hitch.. I'd call strictly a drawbar tractor.. etc..

 

[wolftree]

Soundguy,

You are correct about the 3pt. Still I would hate to have to really work an 8N hard all day. I would be crawling into the house at the end of a day. It is hard for me to admit it, but I am not a young pup anymore.

 

[Soundguy]

Soundguy,

You are correct about the 3pt. Still I would hate to have to really work an 8N hard all day. I would be crawling into the house at the end of a day. It is hard for me to admit it, but I am not a young pup anymore.

all depends on the individual as you point out..

I look forward to working with them old tractors.

My 'every day' tractors are ford rowcrops.

same basic tech as the N. minor advancement in hyds.. but still non live pto..e tc.. etc.

love em. wouldn't have it any other way.. my most used is a 55 950 trike... next is a 55 850 with a 2 post loader for moving hay.

neither have live pto.... etc...

 

[motownbrowne]

I agree, the 950 will be much easier to use, but the 8n is a classic. Easy to get parts for, easy to work on, and will handle anything you can throw at it. Im no mechanic, and id much rather wrench on an old gasser than a more modern diesel. For years we did everything on our farm with the n. The 950 will be much more user friendly, but don't count out the n for getting the same work done.

 

[Soundguy]

if it was an 861 / 961 ford vs the 950 jd it would be an easier clear choice.

 

[motownbrowne]

if it was an 861 / 961 ford vs the 950 jd it would be an easier clear choice.

Agreed. I'd love a powermaster. I'd trade my two 8ns for one 861. And I'd definitely take a 861 over a 2wd 950.

 

[Soundguy]

oh yeah.. I'd make that trade all day. 2 N's for a powermaster.. especially a rowcrop.. etc.

 

[kemary]

I also grew up in NE Ohio with an 8N and currently have a Yanmar that is similiar to the JD 950. There is no comparison, also something that no one mentioned is that the 8N does not have a differential lock. The JD will push snow and grade the driveway better than the 8N just because of the diff lock. The 8n we had when I was a kid couldn't hardly move in the snow without chains and even then it wasn't great. The only thing the 8n might do better is pull a small plow just because of the weight but even that is questionable. The yanmar diesel in the JD will sip fuel compared to the old flat head gasser. Just my opinion!

 

[Soundguy]

sounds like someone isn't familiar with split brakes or ballasted tires.