Are Fords red-headed step children of tractor families?

OK. I've been loving these Fords for a decade now and have just recently found the Classic Tractors Channel on RFDTV on Dish Network. I only have Fords so I get excited when the show comes on to see whether any look as mine do. My insiration has grown in the past two years with the addition of the 740 and 841 to keep my 8N company.

So what happens? Hardly a Ford to be seen! Plenty of IHs, JDs, ACs and MMs but barely a glimpse of a Ford. Time and time again this is the case. So I order the playing cards from the Classic Tractors website. They offer a deck of JDs or IHs or Over the Pond Tractors or a variety deck. Sooooo I get the variety deck and since many in my family have IHs I get that deck too.

The decks come so I open the variety deck and there may be 2 of 52 tractors that are fords. They even have a 1776 edition riding lawnmower as the Joker. Where are the Fords?

OK I have read a lot about Ford, probably more than most that attend this site even. I haven't read squat about any other tractor brand, although I have an IH book. But have never asked tractor guys the question because I love my Fords and who cares. Well its time to ask. When I watch the show I notice that non Ford tractors in the 30s and 40 and even 50s are much larger and maybe more powerful. FOrds/Fergies 3pt makes it attractive through the 40s. I know Ford tried to compete by making an enexpensive tractor, although my NH dealer doesn't show me the same affection when I order parts.

Whats the scoop guys?

Don't be afraid to be candid.

RICK/GA

Second: Fords aren't considered thoroughbreds: their lineage stems from a "horseless carriage", and they don't have the undiluted bloodline that JD's, IH's and AC's enjoy. Some purists look down their noses at the "little gray Ford", much as they would snicker at a Sears or Home Depot tractor. Somehow, Fords just aren't considered "real" farm tractors.

So, I guess that means that the 750,000 Fordsons and the 800,000+ N-Series tractors that farmers all over the world bought from 1917 through 1952 were just a waste of good iron..... .

And yeas.. lots of johny popers.. IH's and ac's.. even wheel horse garden deals.

Saw a fergie or two.. but nill on the fords.

You talk to the big collectors / restorers, and they kind of laugh at the idea of restoring a ford.. seems the feel the N's were just work wheelbarrows... not restoration material...

Funny thing is.. There are alot of still working n's around. There is a marine shop in the area that uses an 8n to caddy the boat trailers around on the lot, and another guy down the raod that uses his for pasture and yard maintenance. Still another jube down at the seminole store they use to mow the pasture around the store.. And my 8n came from a fellow who had 2 and had a rotary cutter on one and a finish mower on the other.. as he had just got the other 8n from his brother and wanted to sell one... )

Though I havn't seen and antique JD's doing any mowing lately....

( In fairness though.. I know of one familly that has a working cub with the belly mower that still mows around their house and 1/4 acre horse paddock... )

Guess like the comercial says.."built ford tough"
As these old guys are still workers.. and havn't had time to retire yet...

Soundguy

Maybe this is the insight you are looking for. I have 19 tractors. Only 3 of them are Fords. The Fords do most of the work. Only one of the Fords goes to shows.

George Willer

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I just got a Fergusen TE20 in late 2001. I go to the Canfield fair every year. Last year I went excited to examine Ford N's and if lucky a Fergy. to see how much origional equipment was left on my tractor.

Much to my dissapointment, there were only a few N's.

The steam powered threashing demo is always fun though. Enjoy the popcorn.