The "N" word

[tripledog]

Looks like this little Ford 8N is going to follow me home. It will be used mostly to pull tree tops as well as hauling my 10' x 6' firewood wagon. It is rough, but has potential and is fairly complete.

[bkm]

I've always wanted one, but have zero use for one, which according to my logic is probably why I'll buy one some day.

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[atc007]

My next door neighbor just passed from lung cancer,so I'm into my eyeballs getting a fleet of around 18 -20 machines up and running for his widow who is 84. He has 4 8N and 9N's that I saw yesterday. Case track loader,IH hoe, Cub and a lo boy w mower and blade,and on and on. All will be for sale after I service them. Or better yet,,as is now! I assume you're getting a great deal on that one. Hers won't be " cheap",but a couple are really nice.Points file and fresh gas and you'll probably be up and running.

[tripledog]

The guy wants $800, but I am sure I can get it for a bit less. No money changes hands until I hear it run and run it through the gears. I don't even know if it will have enough power to skid tree tops. Some people have told me that the N series tractors have very little more horsepower than a riding mower, but I find that hard to believe. Sorry to hear of the loss of your neighbor, 007. My Dad died in December, and his brother died in March. My oldest dog died a year ago yesterday. Not real good with this whole death thing.

[bkm]

The 8's are a little better than the 9n's and 2n's because of the 4 speed gear box vs the 3 speed of the earlier models. There was a company named Funk that made a hi- low gear box that really helped. They also made six cylinder and flat head v8 conversion kits. But that being said, they were pretty gutless.

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[Matt85'350x]

I have an 8N. It'll pull some pretty big logs but the key it to keep the front of the log off of the ground. If you can tie off close enough you can use the 3PT and a draw bar to get the front off the ground a little bit. Otherwise you better be pulling through flat terrain or be using a log sled. It's always safer to pull in reverse (that way you don't wheelie out) but the reverse gear is a bit too high for big logs and you'll get a feeling for when the tractor is going to pull up or not. I've been happy with mine for the most part; although when I brush hog my fields I have to keep up on them otherwise it's a real struggle for the old girl.

[BarnBoy]

That Ford doesn't look too bad. If it runs ok, and the transmission seems good, grab it. They only had around 25 horse power, but can pull a whole lot. The garden tractor we use for cleaning the barns is a JD 26 hp diesel, but the 8n would pull much more than the garden tractor would. I used the 8n for hauling wood out of the bush, great little tractor for that. It looks like someone put a drawbar on that one which is nice, we only have the drawbar that connects to the 3 pt hitch. They would do decent speeds in fourth gear. With the stock 4-speed, reverse is way too fast. I have almost hit things many many times trying to back up into and out of sheds with a trailer because of this. Nice thing about the 8n's is the two brake pedals are on the same side, unlike the 2n/9n.

[coolpool]

Trip you hit my third weak spot, trikes, Military vehicles and old tractors. Glad you're saving the old girl! Make sure you do up a build/resto post.

[tripledog]

I am going to convert from a 6 volt to a 12 volt system. Has anyone here done the swap? I have seen the kits, but none that include a starter. I would assume the reason is that the 12 volt system won't fry the 6 volt starter. Wish I could find a Sherman combo transmission cheap!

[dustrunner]

Why spend the money on the 12 volt swap...I HAVE A 1950 FERGUSON AND IT STILL HAS 6 VOLT SYSTEM...Starts rite up any time.

[tripledog]

Why spend the money on the 12 volt swap...I HAVE A 1950 FERGUSON AND IT STILL HAS 6 VOLT SYSTEM...Starts rite up any time.

Have you priced a 6 volt battery lately?! In addition, I would like to be able to jumpstart a car or vice versa, should the need arise.

[Matt85'350x]

Have you priced a 6 volt battery lately?! In addition, I would like to be able to jumpstart a car or vice versa, should the need arise.

You can still jump it even with it being 6V. My battery died a long time ago and I jump it every time now. Just remember it's a positive ground system. Here's how I jump mine:
-Make sure the tractor is in neutral
-Turn the ignition switch on
-Don't start the car you're using to jump, just hook up the cables like normal on the car side
-Now on the tractor put the positive jumper on the steering bar right below the starter
-Then just touch the negative jumper to the nut on the starter. Should spin the starter and start right up

[ATC-Eric]

230972

Grew up with a Golden Jubilee. I love the old ford tractors. I need a tractor with a nice loader, but want another one of these just for the fun of it.

[tripledog]

^^^ SO very nice! Thanks for sharing. Kind of like this one as well...

[ATC-Eric]

^^^ SO very nice! Thanks for sharing. Kind of like this one as well...

Should have thrown a disclaimer up. That's not the one we had. Although when my papa bought it, it had been freshly restored/gone through. So it was that clean.

[tripledog]

No disclaimer needed. Always enjoy some good tractor porn!

[atc007]

Cheapest 6 volt I could find 4 years ago was $94 at battery warehouse in Elmira NY. While I can't condone jumping a 6v with a 12 v. Matt has it down pat. The starter will handle it, but the harness won't. By bumping the starter that is perfect way to do it. I haven't even looked at the models of what I'm looking at down to the neighbors. 2 8N's I think, another with a red hood. looks like a Ferguson,but it's Ford. I got the bigger one of the 4 going,,on 2 cylinders and I think I'm gonna be cleaning the carb,but will see after she's happy on all 4.It is converted to 12 :)). That made life easier.

[350for350]

The last farmers I worked for had one that they used for small chores. They built a trailer that had a big wire spool that was pto powered. They used it to roll up electric fence wire. With the two speed rear, they just drove it around to the different fields. The biggest complaint that I've heard is they don't have a live pto. Other than that, they seem to be a good tractor.

[tripledog]

Thanks 350for350. Not only do they not have a live pto, they can transfer inertial energy from an attached implement (such as a finish or sickle bar mower) through the transmission when clutch pedal is depressed, causing the tractor to lunge forward. A pto overrunning clutch (essentially a glorified one way bearing) will prevent this, but this tractor is going to be used primarily for hauling firewood, so nbd there. I DO want to buy a 3 point hitch boom pole to keep logs off of the ground when I am dragging them out of the dingweeds. I am learning bit by bit. It needs newer front tires, and I wonder if there is any reason I can't use 16" truck tires instead of the original rib type tires.

[Jd110]

231248
It's amazing to me how well this were built to handle the elements. Local water district keeps it out every night.

[tripledog]

231248
It's amazing to me how well this were built to handle the elements. Local water district keeps it out every night.

That N has some sweet patina!

[Caminofeld]

I have a '51 8n that I use around my 8 acres. Got it for $1750 with new tires, a freshly rebuilt motor, and new clutch. IMHO there are so many nice ones for cheap that it makes more financial sense to buy one thats already restored…unless you want the experience. She has been great for hogging and has a little ass behind her too…I've pulled a few stuck trucks out of mud and snow with her. The only downside is the brakes…or lack thereof. I have a very hilly property and have to go down hills in gear or else risk a runaway. Only time it's been an issue was when I had to auger postholes down a hillside.

I did the 12v conversion in one day with a $100 kit that included wiring, instructions, belt, and alternator. I didn't have to take the front end off like most people say. Worth it's weight in gold, plus now I can run 12v accessories.