Ford 8N with Factory Backhoe?

RedDawg · Apr 1, 2012

Okay, I've never seen this before. I went and looked at an 8N yesterday with a backhoe on it. I expected a homemade job. But it's not. It looks like it is factory installed right on the back of the tractor. The Hydraulic/Differential housing is completely different and the Backhoe looks like it came from the factory this way. You use the seat of the tractor - by simply lifting it up and turning it around. There is an axillary pump that runs off the PTO shaft coming out the front of the tractor.

What am I looking at here?

Steve

Taylortractornut · Apr 1, 2012

THats a Sherman power digger or a Pippin Im leaning towards a Sherman. THere used to be a man in town that back in the 50's put in gas stations. He had 2 8ns with Pippin backhoes. THese looked like all pipe rigs. One had a blade on the front and the other had an old pipe loader. He passed away and a his place was auctioned off. Lots of old construction equipment. He had a Sherman backhoe on the back of an IHC that looked like the one on that 8N.

RDrancher · Apr 1, 2012

I've never seen one but I sure do like it!

RedDawg · Apr 1, 2012

He said it was quite top heavy. You have to be careful moving it around the farm. Be sure to go straight up and down hills rather than across them. Additionally, transporting it was tricky because of it being top heavy.

The motor sounded great. About as good a starting and smooth running 8n as I've seen or heard. Transmission was smooth and brakes good but it's not like they need to be real good as you are only going to drive it to the next spot you want to dig. It's not like you'll be digging holes one day and discing with it the next.

The box on the front is a counterweight. It is full of concrete with some additional iron thrown on top of that. The front tires even had the wheel weights.

I had hoped I could put it on my Ford 640 at the farm (with a front end loader) and leave the 8n here at the house to do little things. But I don't think that will work.

He wants $2,800 for it. What do you think?