Ford 8n or similiar

[RickB]

I wasn't comparing anything.

8N's were among the greatest technological advances of their time. They don't compare favorably to today's tractor choices, or even a choice made today to buy something as little as 10 years newer than an 8N. My take is you compared the suitability of an 8N in its period to the suitability of one today. Maybe you see it differently, and that's fine.

If I have to choose between an 8N and a mule, I'll take the 8N. If I have to choose between an 8N, Ford 860, or Kioti DK40SE with cab and A/c, the 8N will not be my choice.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

To the OP, if you buy an 8n you will need to also buy an overrunning clutch from Tractor Supply, AgriSupply or other dealer. They are only about $80, but will save your bacon.

Without an overrunning clutch, the centrifugal force of the mower stays engaged with the transmission, so you step on the clutch to stop, but the mower keeps pushing the tractor forward . . . inevitably towards some object you don't want to hit.

The overrunning clutch allows you to step on the clutch and stop the tractor while the mower (or other PTO driven implement) winds down and stops.

 

[wolc123]

A Ford 8n was not the first tractor I operated (that would be my grandad's John Deere M), but it was the first tractor I purchased myself. As it's second owner, I still have that old 1951, 8n and still use it occasionally for some tasks that it is very well suited, such as operating a 2-row corn planter, a 2x12" plow, or hauling firewood. No modern tractor can do those tasks much better, few have better reliability, and none has better parts availability. Certainly it is not a great tractor on PTO implements but adding a ORC, as suggested in the last post, makes it adequate. The lack of 4wd and power steering makes it one of the worst front loader tractors imaginable. I cringe whenever I see a front loader on an 8n. Without a loader, the 8n has a great power/weight ratio. Ford took a small step backwards there with the 600 series.

 

[2458n]

Was a great tractor for me at 16. Put in yards after the new homes were finished. They always called the kid with the tractor when the snow was a bit to deep to shovel. Was transportation until it earned me enough money for a 64 chevy stepside. The PTO was a consideration when bush hogging. 3pt. disc with a couple of railroad ties was a ,"wheelie" machine.

 

[whizdbiz2]

What an absolutely and idiotic post.

Agree. Any machine misused will kill you. Ford Ns are no worse or better than others.

 

[VroomVroom]

We have an old farmall m also. I just like the simplicity. We had quite a few j 5 bombardier tractors. Simple 45 year old machines. I'd only use the old tractor for hauling a wagon, or plowing, or pushing snow. I like the older stuff. Not sure why. Unlike the old farmall, those had a 3 pt