A 52 Ford 8N was the only tractor I used for years, still do. I just bought a Ford 861 diesel to compliment it, but have not used the 861 much yet.
Things I have done with my 8N: I have broken ground with a one and a two bottom plow, ripped with a single shank ripper, used a dump bucket to dig a ditch and move material, a post hole digger, a two row no till planter, a two row cultivator, a disc, a blade, pulling a manure spreader, moving stuff with a boom pole, lifting and moving scrap vehicles with the three point and a modified draw bar, using a brush hog, raking hay, cutting hay with 7' 501, I put up over 2000 bales of hay last year with a 530 baler and used an AC 72 all crop combine to harvest an acre of wheat. I have pulled countless items and vehicles with the 8N.
My youtube videos of my 8N:
Baling:
1952 Ford 8N Baling Hay with a 530 Square Baler 2012 - YouTube
Running the AC72 Combine:
52 8N running a Allis Chalmers 72 Combine in Wheat 2012 - YouTube
I am currently breaking ground to plant spelt, rye and wheat. I love my little 8N, I have driven the biggest tractors made on a huge farm, but I couldn't afford one of those giants, and it would be a bit rediculous to use such a big machine on my small farm. The 8N is so easy to maintain and is very reliable. It doesn't get the credit it deserves at times. There is always something bigger and fancier, but few things are as cheap to use, buy, maintain and keep running in the field.
I wouldn't want to farm 100's of acres with an 8N, but for the small farm it is a great fit.
