Which JD is the equivelant to the 8n/Powermaster

andrewj · Nov 26, 2005

hi folks....i recently went on a rant about my new tractor not beign as sturdy as i had hoped, someone suggested i look at old iron for the rough chores. i like 8ns but am concerned about the brake issues, lack of live PTO, live lift, etc.
So back in 1958ish when Ford started trying to improve their 8n type tractor, what fordfighter did john deere come up with to compete? is it the 1010? thanks for the help.

beenthere · Nov 26, 2005

Why worry about it?

ruglad03835 · Nov 26, 2005

Try looking at a JD 420 or 430.

andrewj · Nov 26, 2005

( Why worry about it? )

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

because i am really interested in old tractors and want to know! that's like asking why grow corn when the store has plenty! just askin - curiosity

beenthere · Nov 26, 2005

My question came accross a bit too terse, and I didn't mean it that way. Should have included some smiley's to lighten it up a bit. Sorry for that brief question. Your response added the info I was seeking.
Deere (IMO) didn't have anything to compare to the 8N, at the time they came out. Later they did, as it was the M, 40, 420, 430, then the 1010, etc. a few years down the road. I had the Deere 420 utility model, which was lower than the other models, but in several ways it didn't compare well to the 8N Ford, other than full time hyd to the 3pt.
I once heard that Harry Ferguson first went to Deere with his 3pt idea and was turned down, after which he went to Ford. The rest is well-written history.

RonR · Nov 26, 2005

A little like comparing apples and oranges, but I owned a JD M and have driven a lot of ford 8ns. I always thought my M was better for what I needed, and it was cheaper to buy.

My M was HEAVY--fluid and weights all around. It would pull and pull. Much of the time in low, it would spin the tires and keep digging until you lifted the implement a little. In the evening, the muffler would glow RED under a big load.............

The ford was probably easier to move around as the ones I used were lighter, and the 3PH made it easier for implements.

I borrowed and mowed foot high grass with my M and a 6 ft pull behind bush hog. Without live PTO, you have to ease into loads, but I managed.

I always wanted a JD 420 or 430, but never had the need/found one in good enough shape.

Ron

andrewj · Nov 26, 2005

(
Deere (IMO) didn't have anything to compare to the 8N, at the time they came out. Later they did, as it was the M, 40, 420, 430, then the 1010, etc. a few years down the road. I had the Deere 420 utility model, which was lower than the other models, but in several ways it didn't compare well to the 8N Ford, other than full time hyd to the 3pt.
I once heard that Harry Ferguson first went to Deere with his 3pt idea and was turned down, after which he went to Ford. The rest is well-written history. )

thanks for the info! i love the design of the 1010, but have heard some bad things about it. matter of fact, it was mentioned in "tractors to avoid." I'd still like to own one.

Didn't see any on Ebay?

beenthere · Nov 26, 2005

I too would like to have the 1010, and have heard the same thing - "avoid". I suspect, because it was Deere's first entry into a non-2cyl (but they kept the chasis/tranny/3pt of the 420/430), it wasn't the 'approved' combination (not cool enough). The transmission/3pt/ was pretty bullet-proof I believe, but maybe the engine was a bit shaky and not of the good design of the 6 cyl. engines that came out at the same time (such as about that time that the classic 4020 tractor came out, and still is a prize today).
For grunting around in the woods, my 420 was great and rugged, compared to all the things hanging off of my 4300 that I have to worry about.
But my 4300 has enough improvements that I like it real well. I grew up using an 8N Ford in the woods, and still miss some of the things it could do there that my 4300 cannot.
Not enough room to have 'em all that I want. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Soundguy · Nov 27, 2005

( like 8ns but am concerned about the brake issues, )

Any old tractor can have a brake issue.. All it is is axle seals on the N.. not a bad job.

( lack of live PTO, live lift, etc.
So back in 1958ish when Ford started trying to improve their 8n type tractor )

Not 58... 6ys earlier... 8n stoppe dproduction in late 52... and also in in late 1952 ford went to the 53modelyear NAA tractor ( jubilee for 53).. that had a live lift. Live lift was a standard option on all later fords if they had hyds. ( there were also dearborn live pto units available for the 8n and NAA ). In 1955, the hundred series came out.. any hundred series with 6,7,8 in the middle digit had a live pto . '6' models had a 2 stage clutch.. 7,8 models had independent pto, and dual speed ind pto.. both live, via SOS tranny.

Soundguy

EquipmentJunkie · Nov 27, 2005

In my opinion, Deere didn't have anything to truly compete with Ford until the 1020 and 2020 came out in 1965. That is when Deere embraced the true low-profile utility-type tractor.

My father has a '49 M. He thinks its 'cute'. I think that it doesn't compare to a Ford 8N. An 8N is much easier to get on and off, has a wider stance and is lower to the ground making it feel more stable than the M.

One uncle of mine had a Deere 1010 and another uncle had two 2010s. Dogs in my mind. Clumsy critters that wouldn't win a beauty contest either. (I always thought that the 2010 looked like a sway-backed horse!)

The 1020 and 2020 were good tractors. They were produced from 1965 to the early 70's. A relative of mine used a 2020 for over 30 years as a daily chore tractor until it finally wore out.

Ford had a wider variety of utility tractors to choose from. It all depends on what you want and like. Don't forget the Oliver 550, either.