Ford 8N or similar older types

   / Ford 8N or similar older types #81  
Actually I think there were three. One was just a step up, one a step down, and one combo that did both as well as standard.

The thing is, with the combo that does both step up and step down.....standard is NOT the same as not having a sherman. It is FASTER than an 8n without.

There was also a howard speed reducer. Less common though


And? HP is not a measure of pulling ability. Its a measure of work done over a given time.

Say, how many acres of ground can those horses plow in a day?
I have heard it said that the Howard was the best of the bunch, but as you suggest, very rare.
 
   / Ford 8N or similar older types #82  
I have heard it said that the Howard was the best of the bunch, but as you suggest, very rare.
No experience with anything other than the Sherman combo. But have read that the Howard was fragile. Never made for full torque pulling hard. It was made as a speed reducer for things like spraying or mowing.

But that Howard learned this wasn't gonna work....being so weak.....so on the hundred series and up tractors they made it bulletproof
 
   / Ford 8N or similar older types #83  
Take 24 horses and hitch them to plow’s. Check out the actual work done at the end of the Day!
 
   / Ford 8N or similar older types #84  
I was able to knock off 3/5 of my spring plowing with the old girl this morning. I have a couple more acres yet to do but that spot is still too wet. Maybe I can get another year out of the original rear right side, calcium filled rim. I nearly lost the left rear tire on an antler today, but fortunately I spotted it out of the corner of my eye on the previous pass.

Plowing with this tractor is fun now, but probably won't be so much when I get old and loose some arm strength. You got to keep a pretty good grip on the wheel staying in the furrows.

It looks like I am needing a new seat cover:
20210515_091009.jpg
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   / Ford 8N or similar older types #85  
Take 24 horses and hitch them to plow’s. Check out the actual work done at the end of the Day!
I was not the one trying to make the crazy comparison of 2 horses to an 8n. Now its 24?

Wonder which one is higher maintenance and more expensive to keep working....betting it isnt the 8n.

Nothing against horses or people that like nostalgia. Heck the 8n is nostalgic. But things evolve for a reason. IF I had a few acres I wanted to plow for a deer plot.....I'd take the 8n hands down over a couple of horses
 
   / Ford 8N or similar older types #86  
The last team of horses left our farm in 1950 when grandpa bought a brand new John Deere model M. My dad still uses that now and then in his garden.

I found this horse shoe (hanging from my concrete clydsdale's collar horn), while I was planting corn with my 8n. It had to have been lost over 70 years ago. My buddy, who is now divorced from his "horse woman", always referred to horses as "hay burning sh...t makers". No wonder that marriage didn't last. I only ever knew one man who was able to satisfy a "horse woman".View attachment 698619
20210515_114341.jpg
 
   / Ford 8N or similar older types
  • Thread Starter
#87  
Yea, Ive spent a fair amount of time researching between yalls advice, youtube, and visiting 3 dealer lots (JD / MF / and Kubota). I think I have it narrowed down to a MF 1835M / 1840M and the JD 2032R / 2038R / 3038... I still got plenty of time, although it probably will be an advantage to buy the 2021s when the 2022s hit the lots. Keep the advice coming! Im leaning heavily toward a MF though! 😎🍻
 
   / Ford 8N or similar older types #88  
Tractors aren’t like cars and pickups, there is usually no difference in cost buying “last years” model unless they had a major redesign..
 
   / Ford 8N or similar older types #89  
as a person looking for his first farm tractor this has been a great read. One thing that I have seen referenced in my research about the N series Fords that has not been mentioned here is that more people have died using an N series than any other series of tractors. Neither writer gave a reason for this, but I would think it is related to the sheer number sold and the absolute lack of built-in safety.
Agreed. I have mine set at 70" wide and it is only about 42 high. CG is below 32 inches. But when I mow across my 15 degree hill, it gets bouncy if I go in 3rd gear. Even 2nd can be bad if I hit a big woodchuck hole. I occasionally stood to absorb the bucking with bent knees. Once, the spring seat launched my butt up above my head so that hanging onto the steering wheel was the only thing that kept me from going off. Had to twist a little to land my feet on the foot boards and the hump helped. After that I slowed down and don't use 3rd gear. So it's not tippy if set up right but can throw you off. Also, no protection from branches and won't stop if you fall off. Go slow.
 
   / Ford 8N or similar older types #90  
Yea, Ive spent a fair amount of time researching between yalls advice, youtube, and visiting 3 dealer lots (JD / MF / and Kubota). I think I have it narrowed down to a MF 1835M / 1840M and the JD 2032R / 2038R / 3038... I still got plenty of time, although it probably will be an advantage to buy the 2021s when the 2022s hit the lots. Keep the advice coming! Im leaning heavily toward a MF though! 😎🍻
I'm so tempted by the RK37H... only thing is i don't know if it can handle my 15 too degree hill and how wide I can set the tires. Also, it is loud.
 

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