My 8n is too small...so is my pocketbook..

[Soundguy]

just get one that needs no work in the rear. I don't think I'd be buying a 3xxx or 4xxx that needed rear end work to start off with.

for laoder work.. that 4xxx front axle will be shoulders above that old 1939 design with the radius rods.

 

[GE222]

Besides my little Kubota 7200, I also have an early 70's 4000 diesel with a Westendorf Loader. I believe it is a little bit over 50hp. Its only drawback is the Select-o-speed power shift trans. My is working well, but I do know that getting them repaired is becoming more and more difficult as many shops won't touch them. Get a standard manual trans instead. I paid 5K for mine 10 years ago, and around $250 to haul it 200 miles.

I also used to have an 8N as well. Nice little tractor, but has a few limitations. Plenty of power for 5' bush hog, but power steering would have really made it nice.

 

[brin]

Here's an example of what you can do with 5000$


I got this 4600 for 3900$ needed some tlc.

had to do some body work, chase some leaks, change a few gaskets and orings.. do some welding.. paint....found a rops for it.. made a bumper / grill guard, made a topper out of steel and fiber board and heavy rubber matting.. muffler..had to weld up bracking sna mounts on fenders.. front wheel weights.. filled tires with water and eco AF.. old beater mower was free.. but I see beater mowers for a couple hundred all the time.. bought a couple to rehab. this mower required lube, paint, and welding... it's a beast...

all in all I got time and about 5000$ in it or so..

good machine...


soundguy

Chris, I am once again completely impressed with your ability to find the deals and then restore them to their rightful condition...Really nice work and should be proud....You are the master at this.

 

[Soundguy]

Chris, I am once again completely impressed with your ability to find the deals and then restore them to their rightful condition...Really nice work and should be proud....You are the master at this.

my wife might say 'monster'

that 4600 was actually a funny story.

I like the 54-64 series tractors really.. and of those.. the row crops. I do have a couple post 65 tractors.. but surely wasn't looking for another one. during a hunt for a nice 900 row crop restoration candidate one day, I stumbled across this 4600 for 3900$ that's LOW money for a beefy 3 cyl tractor.. especially an X600 model that means it is a 76+ machine ( that one is a 78 ).. the x600 have better hyds.. etc.. than the prev 65-75 models..

even beat up.. that machine was probably still a couple thousand under priced. It started and ran like a champ.. sounded throaty as it had NO muffler on it.. just a flap cap right at the hood. fenders were off it as the brackets rusted off at the base. when i bought it dealer gave me the old service(rhino) mower you see. tailwheel was broke off it, a frame needed a pin and welding, and gear box needed a seal and was dry.. blades were as dull as my finger... but it was free..

I ended up putting a hyd top cover kit in it. fixing a power steering line.. chased a diesel laek at the injectors and at the pump.. had a couple rust thrus on the hood nose.. was missing the air cleaner door.. got that from member RickB here

lets see.. of course, full fluid service and filters... filled the front tires with eco af and water.. found some 2 piece front wheel weights at a scrap yard.. welded up a grill guard and bumper.. then cast my own concrete front weights. had bought a rops from a guy for my 00/01 series tractors.. but when i got this 4600, i kinda wanted one for it.. as luck would have it I found a guy to trade me straight up.. so got the rops still cheap anyway. I used the canopy on my 5000 as a template and welded up a canopy for this rops.. so all that cost me was time and rod and some scrap metal and leftover supplies from the farm. same with welding up new fender brackets... same on the mower. lotsa welding and torching and scrap metal.. did require a seal and some lube and then some gringer work... I splurged on a 25$ seatbelt set from napa since I had a rops.. body work.. paint.. etc..

not counting my time.. I know i for sure didn't have 1100$ of materials in it.. thus with 3900$ purchase.. it slid in under 5000$ total investment of cash anyway.. my 'time' would obviously put it over.. etc...

 

[WWhunter]

A little history...I grew up on a dairy farm and our two main tractors were a 5000 Ford and a MH. After leaving the farm I bought 120 acres in the woods and at first got an 8N with a digger/cultivator, bush hog, 2 bottom plow, etc. That little tractor did it all until I could upgrade. I picked up a 3000 Ford that at the time seemed like a Stieger compared to the 8N. The 3000 was a great tractor and handled any chore I put before it. The live power was great compared to the constant on of the 8N.
What I am saying is the 8N can do more than most people think as long as you use it the way it was designed. I also think the other comments on staying away from the 3000 series are unfounded. I think the series are great tractors. I have used mine close to 20 years without a single issue until recently. The steering box went out and I am searching for a used one. Other than that it has been a great tractor. When I bought it it had a loader on it. Since I have two skidsteers I had no use for the loader but I did use it occassionally. Sure steered hard with a load but then this tractor has "Armstrong" steering...no power steering!!
I have since purchased a new CT450 Bobcat tractor with HST. Dang, talk about a luxury tractor!! LOL

 

[Agent Blue]

Buying an older tractor is cheap horse power. Just remember someday your going to need repair parts. Don't buy anything considered " great condition " but obsolute in the parts department. If your not mechanically inclined remember the dealers are at ( in my area ) $95.00 an hour for labor and retail at parts.
Lots of new style compacts out there for twenty grand or less. This is something you can depend on and will do the work it was intended for. I like old cars for their style and power. I drive new cars for comfort and dependability. Don't get tunnel vision and look around. 8N Fords are a dime a dozen and for sale all over. Good tractor to ride and get the mail but nothing for power in field work.
The best person to sell your 8N to is someone that " believed " .... kind of like the Harley owners that think they have a cycle that doesn't depreciate. Good luck on your search.

 

[nwbearcat]

Almost a year ago, I picked up this '66 4000 SOS (pic below)that wouldn't move (a gamble) that including gas to go get it, and the parts/labor to eventually fix it got me a tractor that I don't really need for not too much over $3000....but that's an outlier I'd guess, probably a couple $K under the market for a tractor with less than 3K hours like this one.

Deals are out there if you're patient. My thoughts though are, need to determine your accurate needs....if you want to have a tractor to run a tiller in a garden...a 4000 and maybe even a 3000 are going to be pretty big, pretty heavy for most gardens, and a tiller that you won't destroy is going to come with a hefty price tag.

I'd say your 8n maybe isn't the top of it's game, and there are some shortfalls of that tractor you're now seeing.

I think you also need to determine how much your time is worth. You can mow 32A, or even your 7A orchard 5' at a time, and get it done...can also mow 15' at a pass in less time, but that takes a bigger tractor, bigger mower etc. You eventually pay for that time somewhere. Even stepping up to a 4000 sized tractor, you can pull a 6-8' mower easy enough in about all conditions, or a bit larger if you keep things short and mow regularly.

A 4000 is a nice sized tractor for use outside of the yard, but having mowed parts of my yard with mine and a flail mower, it can leave tracks. I do use it to plow/disk our garden, but could get by with less if I had it. Unless you're using it heavily, I wouldn't be too afraid of a 3000 for light/occasional loader use, and probably wouldn't go larger than a 4000 sized tractor if planning to use in the yard.

When buying, knowing what brands are supported by local dealers is helpful, as you may need parts along the way.

BTW...did a quick search on-line using your zip...I don't personally know much about the 1900 series of tractors, but I might consider researching further if in your shoes. I think they were some of the Shiburau (sp) mfg tractors from the 80's...and if i recall, my dealer has mentioned getting parts for some can be tough. Maybe someone else knows about these:
http://www.tractorhouse.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=6898299&

 

[LD1]

Dont rule out the Legendary MF135.:thumbsup:

Not much larger physically than the 8n, so it is still nimble, and almost twice the HP. AND you get the power steering and live hydraulics as an option. (make sure you get one with those options otherwise it aint much better than a 8n).