Which tractor

Dune Country · Oct 11, 2017

Going to take a tractor over to my daughters new property so they can plow snow, I have a 7' 3pt blade.

case VAC new rubber and chains, 6 volt

Ford 8n larger rear tires that are loaded (case is not) 12V

Which one would plow snow the best?

Mike Groom · Oct 11, 2017

In my opinion the Ford would be a better option all around.

Fatjay · Oct 11, 2017

I would pick the 8n. It sits lower and has less chance of tipping, especially in weather that will probably be slippery. My VAC had a narrow front end, which would further hurt stability. They had a wide front end option I think, though. Still lower = safer if terrain will be slippery or uneven. 8n is both heavier and more powerful. I liked my VAC I'd take the 8n hands down.

rustred · Oct 11, 2017

niether one is any good unless you only have 2 inches of fresh snow. definitly need chains or forget it.need a tractor with weight to it. i know a W6 will plow good chained up.

Duane WI · Oct 11, 2017

If the VAC has live hydraulics it wins. Raising the lowering the 3 point without live hydraulics would be a pain. I am pretty sure the 8N doesn't have live hydraulics. The latter VAC has live hydraulics. If you are planning to push snow going backward the narrow front is also better because it won't put a front wheel in the snow when turning corners. I also think the narrow front end is much more maneuverable in tight places than a wide front. Narrow front also is easier to turn the steering wheel.

I push snow backward with a farmall super C. Narrow front and live hydraulics. I have been doing this for 18 years now. I also really doubt the 8N is more tractor than the VAC. I think size, weight and horsepower are pretty close.

Fatjay · Oct 11, 2017

My VAC didn't have live hydraulics, but my ferguson TO-30 doesn't either. I just pop to neutral and let out hte clutch if i don't need to. raise the blade on my ferguson.

http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/000/2/2/223-ford-8n-dimensions.html
http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/006/4/3/6437-ji-case-vac-dimensions.html
Case is 17hp and 3200lbs, 8n is 27hp and 2700lbs, I guess I got the weight backwards, but those loaded wheels will help.

C. Amick · Oct 11, 2017

I've heard those 8N's are hard to start in cold weather. Does the VAC have an Eagle Hitch? If so, it should have live hydraulics. I used to push snow with a VAC with rear blade. It did pretty well, but needed more weight on the rear. Didn't have wheel weights or fluid in tires. You should be able to buy the VAC for less.

grayrider · Oct 11, 2017

I would vote for the Ford 8N

Richard G. · Oct 11, 2017

8N with 12 volt is the way to go. I have a 51 VAC and a 52 8N and I had to choose for cold weather, it would be the 8N.
Richard

Dune Country · Oct 11, 2017

Vac is a wide front w/live hyd, drive is 800' and flat

4 for 8N
3 for VAC

so far

buickanddeere · Oct 11, 2017

Once you use a snowblower , a blade looses it appeal.

Ji Case 35172 · Oct 11, 2017

Ford 8n

ss55 · Oct 11, 2017

Northern Alabama snow or Northern Minnesota snow? Neither would be great for deep snow, but the 8N with loaded tires should be better than the VAC without ballast.

redforlife · Oct 11, 2017

I would likewise vote for 8n. Only because of fluid filled tires. If any depth of snow at all, you are more than
likely going to need tire chains as well. Otherwise, you will just spin your wheels with a blade full of snow.

flying belgian · Oct 11, 2017

Put fluid in the VAC and take that one. When you say bigger tires do you mean taller or wider. Tall skinny tires with fluid and chains would be unstoppable.

tracto-man · Oct 11, 2017

I vote 8n. 3 neighbors have used them
to plow the drive since I can remember
here in Michigan. I've never had any
trouble cold starting my 12v N's

Traditional Farmer · Oct 12, 2017

I'd take the one that starts the easiest in cold weather,either way better hope they don't get much snow.

jamstra · Oct 12, 2017

Any real depth of snow and you need both weight AND chains! Tractor tyres are not designed for good traction pushing backwards!

jamstra · Oct 12, 2017

Forgot to add that of course the geometry of a 3pt means that the harder you push back the less traction you have, as the back wheels are 'unloaded'!

Mike M · Oct 12, 2017

A good walk behind snow blower will clear more area faster than either of those tractors.

flying belgian · Oct 12, 2017

He mentioned below that the drive is 800 ft. Lets assume it's 10 ft. wide. Walk behind is 3 ft. wide. Do the math. Takes a good person to walk a mile and a half behind a snowblower in 0 degree weather with a 20 mph. Northwest wind. Ain't no way you could do it faster then the tractors.

Mike M · Oct 12, 2017

Didn't see the 800 foot ! In that case get an old pickup with a snow plow on the front !

I went from a old tractor and blade to a walk behind and it seems to go pretty fast on a short drive. I can blow down and back and don't waste time backing around to maneuver.

People who want to sit way back in forget about how hard it is going to be to get out in the winter and how much it costs to haul in more gravel in the spring.

hd6gtom · Oct 12, 2017

As stated put fluid in the Case. I started running n fords in 1960 and would never recommend them to anyone.
Hard to if not impossible to start, brakes are some of the worst ever designed. Reverse is way too fast to
make them usable to push anything in reverse. The negative list goes on and on.

mj · Oct 12, 2017

(quoted from post at 18:16:28 10/11/17) My VAC didn't have live hydraulics, .............

Mine does. You've got the belt-pulley(EARLY)pump.......Right?

mj · Oct 12, 2017

(quoted from post at 18:02:00 10/11/17) niether one is any good unless you only have 2 inches of fresh snow. definitly need chains or forget it.need a tractor with weight to it. i know a W6 will plow good chained up.

I DO NOT AGREE!

I do not agree! AND chalk up another vote for Case.....I HAD Fords...... no more!

mj · Oct 12, 2017

(quoted from post at 06:00:57 10/12/17) A good walk behind snow blower will clear more area faster than either of those tractors.

I'm callin' B...S...! :roll:

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