I'm new to tractors and looking to buy my first one. I'm looking at a nicely restored 8N but while talking to my neighbor today he said to avoid the "N". States that with no live PTO the 3 point hitch just "drops" everytime you clutch the tractor. I want to use this to grade and push some snow around this winter, is this a problem with the N or is it something that you can live with? Any input greatly appreciated
- Thread starter Tater_51
- Start date
The 8N 3-point will NOT lift with the clutch depressed, but SHOULD remain in position, if the system is working properly/free of leaks.
(BTW, unless you are completely familiar with the 9N/2N/8N series, it'll be worth your while to surf over to John Smith's most excellent "identify" website and have a look around. LOTS of guys have bought (or sold) an "8N" that turned out to be a "9N" or a "2N", or even an "NAA".}
IDENTIFY IT
(BTW, unless you are completely familiar with the 9N/2N/8N series, it'll be worth your while to surf over to John Smith's most excellent "identify" website and have a look around. LOTS of guys have bought (or sold) an "8N" that turned out to be a "9N" or a "2N", or even an "NAA".}
IDENTIFY IT
huntingreen2day2
Member
I would get a Ferguson 35 or 135.
Hotflashjr
Well-known Member
- Location
- Western MA
I'm not a ford guy and I only care to have green tractors around. That being said I worked on a farm that had an 8N when I was younger. The tractor could do a bit of everything but didn't fit right for any job. It always lacked a bit in power for the implements they had for it including a 4 ft. back blade and a 4 ft. brush hog. I personally wouldn't buy one based on my experience, but again, I'm not a Ford guy and I could have just had been on a poorly kept tractor.
I bought my 8N with implements from a guy who was switching to a quad with a blade, he felt the quad was more efficient for clearing snow.I liked my 8N but found I did not use it enough, found someone who made better use of it and had more application for the disc,plow,blade,dirt scoop etc.
ditto what Bob said.
while the 3pt and pto won't operate with foot on the clutch, the lift should stay up. if lift won't stay up it has a leak.
that said.. i wouldn't get an N either.. I'd get a 53-64 model.. specifically a 55-64 model.
they go in about the same price as the N's and are way more tractor...
soundguy
while the 3pt and pto won't operate with foot on the clutch, the lift should stay up. if lift won't stay up it has a leak.
that said.. i wouldn't get an N either.. I'd get a 53-64 model.. specifically a 55-64 model.
they go in about the same price as the N's and are way more tractor...
soundguy
My neighbor had a quad with a front blade. No chains, no weight. He was trying to push frozen snow away from the end of his driveway when I made a pass down and back with the old N I used to have. He put his quad away. That being said a live hydraulic pto is really where you need to be. A shuttle shift is even better.
An N is going to be maddening for working snow. Every time you stop to change direction and want to raise the blade, you'll have to clutch, take tractor out of gear, release clutch, lift blade, clutch again and put it in gear.
As others have said, if it is working properly, the 3 point will stay in place when you depress the clutch.
You'll want something that at least has live hydraulics, which began with the next model after the 8N, which is the NAA, and all after that.
Live PTO is also desirable, but did not start in Fords until later (600 and 800 series- some, but not all, have it). Try to get something with both, if you can. MF 135 is ideal.
As others have said, if it is working properly, the 3 point will stay in place when you depress the clutch.
You'll want something that at least has live hydraulics, which began with the next model after the 8N, which is the NAA, and all after that.
Live PTO is also desirable, but did not start in Fords until later (600 and 800 series- some, but not all, have it). Try to get something with both, if you can. MF 135 is ideal.
Ultradog MN
Well-known Member
- Location
- Twin Cities
An N is a great first tractor.
They have their limitations as have been mentioned in other posts. But they are a heck of a lot of fun and actually do make a rather remarkable little snow mover. Properly set up of course with a front plow, rear wheel weights or fluid in the tires and good snow chains.
These days however, for the price an N would bring just a couple of years ago, you can buy a Hundred Series Ford which is a superior machine.
If you do buy an N make sure you buy an 8N and not a 9N or 2N as the 8N did have some better features than their older sisters.
I would not pay over $2500 to $3000 for even the nicest N.
I agree that having live hydraulics is a major advantage over the non live type the Ns had. Not having live PTO on a tractor under 40 hp wouldn't be a deal killer to me.
Do some reading on the site that Bob linked to.
There is a section there on buying a tractor - what to look for etc that is invaluable to a first timer.
Good luck and welcome to Yesterday's Tractors.
They have their limitations as have been mentioned in other posts. But they are a heck of a lot of fun and actually do make a rather remarkable little snow mover. Properly set up of course with a front plow, rear wheel weights or fluid in the tires and good snow chains.
These days however, for the price an N would bring just a couple of years ago, you can buy a Hundred Series Ford which is a superior machine.
If you do buy an N make sure you buy an 8N and not a 9N or 2N as the 8N did have some better features than their older sisters.
I would not pay over $2500 to $3000 for even the nicest N.
I agree that having live hydraulics is a major advantage over the non live type the Ns had. Not having live PTO on a tractor under 40 hp wouldn't be a deal killer to me.
Do some reading on the site that Bob linked to.
There is a section there on buying a tractor - what to look for etc that is invaluable to a first timer.
Good luck and welcome to Yesterday's Tractors.
The N series was a tractor well ahead of it's time. But that was in the 1930s, over 70 years gone by.
Theres been lots of improvements since then, like live hydraulics, live pto, and at least 5 forward gears if not 6 or 8 or 16, makes a lot of tasks _much_ easier and ends up safer.
Many of those features started appearing in the mid to late 1950s.
Nice collector tractor, and sure it can get tasks done if you want. There is better out there that will be funner, safer, and more useful for about the same money.
--->Paul
Theres been lots of improvements since then, like live hydraulics, live pto, and at least 5 forward gears if not 6 or 8 or 16, makes a lot of tasks _much_ easier and ends up safer.
Many of those features started appearing in the mid to late 1950s.
Nice collector tractor, and sure it can get tasks done if you want. There is better out there that will be funner, safer, and more useful for about the same money.
--->Paul
Brad Buchanan
Member
Hey Tater! You could do a lot worse than an 8N for a first tractor.
A properly operating 3-point will mot drop when the clutch is pushed and the lack of a live pto is not a particular problem unless you are baling hay or similar.
There is a reason that the N's were the most popular tractor ever sold and in my opinion it is because they are nimble, user-friendly and pretty fun to drive.
Am I biased? Yup I own an 8N. Anyway welcome to the board!
Brad
A properly operating 3-point will mot drop when the clutch is pushed and the lack of a live pto is not a particular problem unless you are baling hay or similar.
There is a reason that the N's were the most popular tractor ever sold and in my opinion it is because they are nimble, user-friendly and pretty fun to drive.
Am I biased? Yup I own an 8N. Anyway welcome to the board!
Brad
This is kinda funny. I have 4 tractors here on the farm. Ford 8N used more than any other tractor hands down, 5' bush hog, plow, disk, cultivator, post hole auger, rear blade, 2 row planter, sub soiler and finish mower no problems (I do deer plots and 3 acres of garden with it for the wifes farmers market stuff, if I had another I wouldn't have to change implements 3-4 times a week). Tractor loader backhoe....used more than the other 2. 1206 IH use mostly for hay and blowing snow. M Farmall...not used much, rake hay with it and pull hay wagons is about it.
That being said if the hundred series were in the same price range in your area thats what I would look for. Round here they are at least 1500 more than an N.
Rick
That being said if the hundred series were in the same price range in your area thats what I would look for. Round here they are at least 1500 more than an N.
Rick
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
Thanks for all the great responses!! I'm learning a lot about the old Ford tractors. I've found a 1955 640 that looks good (at least the pictures show well) with chains, plow, newer tires. He says it has good hydraulics and PTO for $3000. Also was looking at the workmaster's but have only found one and it was around $4000. Thanks for all the input!
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
You still want a tractor with live pto. Not sure if the 640 had live hydraulics or not.
Similar threads
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.
Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy