Starting A Tractor Work Side Business with Ford 8N or 9N

[CADplans]

My tractor is a virtual clone of the 9N, 8N type tractor,, as far as weight, rear tire size, wheelbase,,

BUT, my tractor has newer features, including 4WD, independent PTO, and hydrostatic transmission,

This tractor will cost the same as a 8N to move, and burn 1/3 the fuel,,

The big difference is,, I can not think of a single job that this tractor can be used for that it will not do the work in 1/3 the time that the 8N will require.

Who would ever hire a guy with an 8N,, when there is another guy with a modern tractor that can do the work faster, and 90% of the time for less money,, ??

I bought this green tractor used,, for not much more than 8N's sell for on Craigs List,,

Rethink the choice of tractor,, or buy the 8N strictly for the enjoyment of looking at it,,

 

[LouNY]

It's interesting to follow many of these discussions.
I have to laugh sometimes at what is said or wanting to be done.
I'm in the opposite situation, I have the tractors and equipment and I don't care to do it as a business.
I have a neighbor that is a smaller farmer that does do some snow plow and such.
Occasionally when we have a bad storm I will help out a few of my neighbors just to be neighborly.
But that can be too easily abused. I have had some people ask me to plow snow or brush hog and even mow for them.
I am retired from my full time career and now "just" work on an as needed basis for my brother on the farm,
that's from just 1 or 2 hours in a week to 50 or 60 hours depending on the season.
When people ask me to plow or brush hog for them many times they don't like to accept that I don't care to do it,
so I have developed an hourly rate and a liability form that no one that has pressed the issue is usually willing to pay.
My tractor and me is $100 hour portal to portal and my liability form places all physical liability on the homeowner for any
and all damages done to any property as a result of me and or my equipment being on their property.
I also stress that I work at my pace and don't ram around and tear up my equipment.

I have plowed snow during real bad storms for people at $60 an hour after I show them my driveway and explain
that it takes 2-3 hours to do it and the first time on theirs will take at least that or a comparable amount of time.

But usually by the time I finish mine and some at the farm most people are done also.

 

[K5lwq]

That's true, and if you want happy customers, you better show up with newer equipment and know exactly what you are doing!

NO ONE like to pay someone to get "on the job training" at their expense...

When I show up to till a garden or field, I ask "what do you want it to look like when I'm done", then it's up to me to set the tiller and tractor to get that as fast as I can.

That's how I get return customers.

SR

I don't disagree that works for you and your business. And I also agree that people don't want to pay for on the job training. However, if he bids by the job and not the hour, and can provide quality work, I personally would not care what his stuff looks like. My old Kioti looks like crap. But it is a very capable machine with lots of upgrades.

 

[fried1765]

My tractor is a virtual clone of the 9N, 8N type tractor,, as far as weight, rear tire size, wheelbase,,

BUT, my tractor has newer features, including 4WD, independent PTO, and hydrostatic transmission,

This tractor will cost the same as a 8N to move, and burn 1/3 the fuel,,

The big difference is,, I can not think of a single job that this tractor can be used for that it will not do the work in 1/3 the time that the 8N will require.

Who would ever hire a guy with an 8N,, when there is another guy with a modern tractor that can do the work faster, and 90% of the time for less money,, ??

I bought this green tractor used,, for not much more than 8N's sell for on Craigs List,,

Rethink the choice of tractor,, or buy the 8N strictly for the enjoyment of looking at it,,

"the enjoyment of looking at it"

That is the ONLY reason I have not sold my 8N long ago!

 

[johncanfield]

Heavyequipmentforum is a good place to ask about the practicalities of starting a business with equipment. I've done some tree work for my neighbor (using my grapple) and some blading but there no way I would do any excavating for anybody but myself. (I've dug up enough plumbing on our ranch to last a lifetime . )

 

[Jstpssng]

My tractor is a virtual clone of the 9N, 8N type tractor,, as far as weight, rear tire size, wheelbase,,

BUT, my tractor has newer features, including 4WD, independent PTO, and hydrostatic transmission,

This tractor will cost the same as a 8N to move, and burn 1/3 the fuel,,

The big difference is,, I can not think of a single job that this tractor can be used for that it will not do the work in 1/3 the time that the 8N will require.

Who would ever hire a guy with an 8N,, when there is another guy with a modern tractor that can do the work faster, and 90% of the time for less money,, ??

I bought this green tractor used,, for not much more than 8N's sell for on Craigs List,,

Rethink the choice of tractor,, or buy the 8N strictly for the enjoyment of looking at it,,

1948 ford 8n tractor - farm & garden - by owner - sale $2300

1952 8N Tractor - farm & garden - by owner - sale $2800

1948 8N FORD TRACTOR - farm & garden - by owner - sale $2495

ford 8n tractor 52 year model - farm & garden - by owner - sale $2700

If you bought that for 3 grand then you got a good deal.​

 

[LD48750]

1948 ford 8n tractor - farm & garden - by owner - sale $2300

1952 8N Tractor - farm & garden - by owner - sale $2800

1948 8N FORD TRACTOR - farm & garden - by owner - sale $2495

ford 8n tractor 52 year model - farm & garden - by owner - sale $2700

If you bought that for 3 grand then you got a good deal.​

But you're comparing it to that new stuff, look up 9N's & 2N's.

 

[Jstpssng]

But you're comparing it to that new stuff, look up 9N's & 2N's.

I was referring to his comment about his JD;

I bought this green tractor used,, for not much more than 8N's sell for on Craigs List

 

[radios1]

there are professionals that can make a safe ROPS for any tractor!..

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

A neighbor a couple of roads over, has an 8n that he uses to “ grade “ the road with a blade. Usually another of his neighbors has to go back and fix what he attempted to do with his JD 4055. The road is a lot of mud / dirt and gets really rutted. The 8n can barely scratch the surface / ruts. The JD with a 6 ft box blade fixes the road in about a third of the time.

It may have a lot to do with operator ability, but I think the job is beyond the capabilities of the 8n