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N-series use survey

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ACH

01-04-2001 14:48:09

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How many of you guys on this board actually use your 8N,9N,2N for farming? Such as plowing,disking,planting,picking,hay cutting,raking,even bailing. Not gardening but farming. For example, on more than 10 acres. I almost never see any on real working small farms being used. They are very popular in my area but for snow removal,finish mowing and light landscape, blade lawn work,some bushogging mostly. Just thought it would be interesting.

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ColBob

01-07-2001 20:11:08

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

Since we went out of the apple business over 10 years ago the 1940 9N is down to grading the drive way.

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George Schmidt

01-07-2001 12:53:07

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

I just acquired a Ford 2N from a friend but it isn,t operable, needs an engine and lots of other things. Going to try and bring it back to life and spend a little money at it. I live in a small town ( Port Lavaca, Texas) and so the only use I will have for it is to shred grass for some people that have empty lots but that is not the reason I got this tractor. ( morelike this guy just gave it to me because he needed to clean out his garage) Going guite a little back in time, however, my Dad purchased a 2N probably after 1942 before I was born ( 1944) up in Northwestern N. Dakota. Back then all the heavy work was done on the farm with a McCormic Deering 22-36 because it was capable of handling 4bottom - 14" plow and Dad was doing several hundred acres which I don't think he would have gotten done in a timely manner if he just used the 2N Ford. However, I will tell you this, that little 2N got a good workout on lots of other things, especially during haymaking season. Dad got a 3 pt. Dearborn sickle mower that mounted on the back and it got used. Along with doing other chores like cleaning out the barns, raking hay, cultivating the row crops - things that were impractical to do with that steel wheeled McCormic Deering. It would be safe to say that the little 2N probably put in more working hours in a year than the other tractor did because it was just so convenient to use. It carried its load on that farm as I remember during the short time I spent on that farm as I was growing up. The little 2N was the first tractor my Dad put me on to learn how to drive - almost ran it through a fence as I paniked while trying to figure out how to work the clutch and get it stopped - all the while Dad is walking beside me hollering at me trying to tell me what to do. Oh what fond memories !!!

Don't undersestimate the usefulness of those N's just because of their small size.

George Schmidt

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Jon

01-07-2001 12:32:01

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

I raise a few steers (part-time. I do have a real job). I use a 9N and an Oliver 77. The Oliver pulls the baler, the corn picker, and does some of the plowing and discing. The Ford does the planting, cultivating and raking. It also handles most of the misc. stuff - manure hauling, snow removal, post hole digging, etc.

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DIck Huard

01-07-2001 10:39:01

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

I bought my 8n about thirty years ago to plow and harrow gardens in my town (west newbury mass.) For the pats 25 years I have used it to mow the sides of the road in town, using a side mount mower. I also use it to pull small stumps and pull a trailer full of kids.

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Danny Caudill

01-06-2001 05:10:25

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

I us my 8n to farm tobbacco. There is a lot of light tractor work in farming tobacco so it comes in very handy.

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fessman

01-05-2001 19:50:13

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

Like many others I use my 8N for chores around the house. I.E. brushhogging 5 acres, back blading / landscaping, snow plowing, hauling firewood to the back door, moving gravel, moving large rocks to the stone wall.... finding an excuse to get outside.

Fessman

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ricker

01-05-2001 11:00:59

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

Bought mine for bush hoggin' I plan on fixin the hydraulics and shooting some paint on it.

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Nogrimace

01-05-2001 10:39:38

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

I use my two 8N's for farming 57 acres of grass hay. We use it for plowing, harrowing, cutting the hay, raking the hay and hauling the hay. It is almost to small to pull the hay wagon, it gets mighty light in the front end with 120 bales of 75lbs each of hay. Some day we would like to retire the little fords and use them for playing and get a big boy tractor, not going to happen when the cost of farming is not profitable. Most folks on this board probably use their tractors for snow and orchards.

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Keith 8N59448

01-05-2001 10:06:34

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

ACH,
Good thread. I don't qualify really but am gonna get in anyway. I bought my 8N to make our market garden easier to handle. We garden on 1/2 acre of our own and because of the N are looking for another acre to lease. We have not used him yet but he will be used for tilling and raised bed building as well as hauling our product to the markets. We plow snow both at home and at a retail store.

=keith=

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Dennis 8N (NY)

01-05-2001 09:06:52

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

So far my 52 8N has been used for occaisionally brushhogging our 16 acres for the purpose of training our golden retrievers for hunt tests and field trials. Last week, when my '71 GMC pickup wouldn't start, the 8N was pressed into service to plow 21" of snow from our 800-900 foot driveway with a 4' back blade. My neck and back still hurt! I hope to put in a small orchard and look forward to using the tractor for more agricultural pursuits.

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MIKE(NY)

01-05-2001 07:59:37

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

I USE MY 52 8N TO MOVE SNOW,BUSH HOG , PULL LOGS AND STUMPS ETC. I FIND MY SELF LOOKING FOR THINGS TO DO JUST FOR THE EXCUSE OF STARTIN HER UP ! WE HAVE 13 ACRES HERE IN UPSTATE NY AND I CAN'T IMAGINE NOT HAVING THE TRACTOR TO HELP OUT.

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ARB

01-05-2001 09:12:49

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Re: Re: N-series use survey in reply to MIKE(NY), 01-05-2001 07:59:37

Pretty much same here.

Anywhere near Lake George?

ARB
Putt Putt Putt >>>>> ==== >>>>> ====

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Brad

01-05-2001 07:47:52

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

I use mine to maintain my rental properties. They all have dirt driveways. After reading here on the board about how to use a plow to dig trenches I believe it'll by doing that, also. It gives up it's 12 volt battery on a semi regular basis to use temporarily in vehicles I work on. I also pick up spare change with it. Just about anytime I drive it around the neighborhood someone will flag me down and have me grade their driveway for a quick $20. It's in pieces at this time going through a partial overhaul

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9N'er

01-05-2001 07:10:24

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

My goal is to have one tractor per acre, and a tractor to drive to each tractor parked out there, and just crawl over one tractor into the other without touching the ground with my feet. That's it.

But, before that happens I need my tractors to remove trees, skid logs, dig footers and fence post holes, bushogging, plowing, moving brush, lifting, stumping, and grading etc.

Let's see...if I ever win the lotto, that means more land, more tractors, and more work...I wonder if I will ever achieve my goal?

(actually, my intent is to have a 9N and 100 Series tractor for both work and show). - 9N'er , ,:)

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Snowplow

01-05-2001 14:00:01

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Re: Re: N-series use survey in reply to 9N'er, 01-05-2001 07:10:24

Me too!

Here is a pick of my dream front yard!

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Dumb Logger

01-05-2001 18:32:36

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Re: Re: Re: N-series use survey in reply to Snowplow, 01-05-2001 14:00:01

I don,t know if that is the cure, but it has to be getting close.

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Beekeeper

01-05-2001 06:41:06

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

Actually use ours (in the process of putting it back together after an extensive rebuild) to move trailers and pallets of beehives, dig post holes, and move drums of honey. - what else would you expect from a beekeeper???

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chuck

01-05-2001 05:45:32

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

My 52 8N does everything on my So. Md. 24 acres. Grade and plow the road in, haul fire wood, dig post holes, keep the grass and fields mowed, pull stumps, drag those old pines to the fire piles, pull the red trailer full of tools for any job, move the picnic tables/supplies/keg to where ever the party is going to be, move dirt/gravel from where it is to where it is needed, plow the garden when the wife lets me, jump start my old cars (12V conversion), move the boat/trailer out of the barn to work on it or it hook up to the tow vehicle, and most importantly, provide "hay rides" for all the kids (and adults).

chuck 436244

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OKcity8N

01-05-2001 05:33:56

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

I want to use mine for anything that needs to be done on my 6 acres. However, I have only used it for bush hogging, snow removal, box grading, and tree dragging. Right now, it sits in the shed testing my tools. Yep, just the other day, it proceeded to find a weak socket and broke the &$%$#&&#% thing. Once I get the ignition system back together, I hope to get it back to work on other things.

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Salmoneye

01-05-2001 04:41:37

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

Bonnie 8N gets put through her paces here at anything I need done or can think up. She works at least 5 hours a week and usually closer to 10.
In the last year she has brush-hogged, graded dirt, plowed snow and hauled about everything around here at least once. We also led the Halloween Parade pulling a wagon full of smiling kids. I even pulled a couple yuppies out of the ditch. SUV's go good in snow, but they don't stop on snow at 50. Go figure...
Just the other day we went out to the woodlot and snaked logs in 20 inches of snow without spinning.
We have a set of old discs and am looking for a one bottom plough. We have 5 acres that need some christmas trees planted on them.

On a summer evening we take a ride and watch the sun fall behind the Adirondacks

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Redbelly1

01-05-2001 04:22:23

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

I use my 52 to plow 2 acres of garden/corn, to bushhogg close to four acres of side-hill pasture, to widen and contour my 100 yard gravel driveway, to pull logs out of the woods for firewood and building animal pens; i even tried to pull the front end of a cement truck that got stuck with a load of cement. ( it did'nt work )

around here the old timers tell me that the N tractors were very popular years ago in the logging industry. they would use them to pull logs out of the woods to be loaded onto the trucks. ( this probably acounts for alot of the stories i've heard about these tractors tipping over)

not bad for a 48 year old piece of machinery.

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swavo

01-05-2001 03:33:43

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

Let me refresh my memory to the question, how do we use them? That seems to imply that they are up and running. For me this is a hobby,never had one a these things before. A project to keep the hands and mind busy. I was going to say a project to keep me out of the bar rooms but learning from the best and brightest on this board I've moved an old fridge into the garage to keep the Coors cold(thanks Dave) belch !
Mike

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younganddumb

01-05-2001 00:23:11

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

I use my 2n for brushhogging,posthole digging,york raking,and plowing snow.We like to call our 55 acre homestead a farm but the only thing we produce is a lot of horse poop.Call me a wannabee

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Dell (WA)

01-04-2001 22:25:47

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

I use my 8N on my majestic 15 acres of starvation grass at the foot of Mt Rainier where I raise a flock of sheep for training my Australian Shepherd dogs to compete against Border Collies in Herding Trials. (didn't say I win, but I usually don't embarrass myself or my dogs too badly, grin) I use it for pasture maintenance, fence repair, hay chopping, grass reseeding, and other useful back saving jobs..... .Dell

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Danny in CO

01-04-2001 21:20:41

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

I have 13.5 acres here in Colorado. No farming, but it is used for mowing, grading, moving horse #@$% around, light work with the front loader and snow moving.

Mostly, a GOOD toy!

Danny

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ALLEN

01-04-2001 21:13:12

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

WE HAVE A 49 8N WITH A WOODS 750 BACKHOE THAT IS BEING USED TO BUILD A MOBILE HOME PARK.INSTALL UNDERGROUND UTILITIES AND SEPTIC TANKS.ALSO HAVE A 52 8N THAT IS USED FOR GRADING AND RAKING 200 ACRES OF HAY A YEAR.

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Bob

01-04-2001 20:38:32

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

This year marks the 60th birthday of my 9N. Out of respect for it(and the new paint job), I use the 9N only for light work on my 82 acres. The bigger, day to day chores are handled by a newer New Holland. The 9N is however, the vehicle of choice when it's time to run down to the mailbox, or pull a float in the 4th of July parade. And when it's time to impress guests, everything else gets put in the barn, and the 9N is what gets parked in full view!

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norm-wy

01-04-2001 20:11:15

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

ACH
My 8N is used for loading, stacking, unloading and feeding small round bales to my horses year round, cleaning the horse corrals, dragging the pasture for meadow muffins and even blading a little snow on a very short driveway. This ain't farmin' and it ain't gardenin' but it sure saves me a lot of work. FWIW

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Truck

01-04-2001 19:59:54

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

Well, the original 2N is at my brothers alpaca ranch, outstanding in its field. It has been used for wagon work when he hayed, lots of bush hogging, and constant plowing under of alpaca poop and the usual gardening work.By the way, it started fine on a zero degree day with the original 6 Volt system and no maintenance for a year. When I heard he was going to plant several hundred fence posts, I sent a 3000 up there so he'd be a little bit safer with live hydraulics and a two stage clutch. The diesel didn't start as well on Christmas morning, though.
At my place, I started moving gravel fill around with a 2N and backblade, and have gradually moved up through a 600 with a bucket to 3000 SOS, and now a 4000. I use the tractors mainly for site work, and have even had a few paying jobs with them. Mostly parking lot graveling. Someday I hope to have a few acres so I can play with my toys more in the farming line.Already have the baler, but it is green. Tractors is FUN!;-)
PS.. Anyone who wants an ALPACA, my bro sure could use the money!50 of the critters is plenty!

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denton

01-04-2001 19:14:36

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

I use mine to keep my checking account mowed down pretty short. It is also useful for irritating my lovely wife when she gets around to speaking to me. Around the house it is useful for keeping the grass killed down and the ground torn up since I only have a 90 foot back yard to turn it around in. My garage has shown definite signs of becoming a shop and cleaning the greasy footprints in the kitchen is good exercise which cuts down on my workout time. I find that by reading this discussion board at work I have increased productivity by 26.8%. I consume more fluids, use more colorful language, and generally better myself overall by owning my 1951 8N. I think it is a Godsend.

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Charles (MO)

01-04-2001 18:28:17

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

MY 8N Funk gets over 100 acres run under her each year brush-hogging; here in the Ozarks. With her long nose, she makes hill climbing a breeze, hills that 4 cyl Ns (if they are smart) stay away from! She helps with feeding cattle, garden work, orchard work, keeping the kids occupied (my son just likes to be around her, so much that the gas tank is usually dry)! Always seems to know just when to but her away, before she sucks air!

I may be nutts, but even though my tail sure hurts when I get done brush-hogging; I like the feeling of a job well done with a machine that I can depend on working as hard as I have to do it. N'n in Missouri, Charles

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Jess

01-04-2001 17:58:16

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

I have a Jubilee and 33 acrea's. I pull a brush hog around over most of the land. I have plenty of tree's too. I've been cutting some down for fire wood. Dragging them out where we can cut and load them. I wouldn't want to be on her from daylight to dark every day like Our grandpa's did but it's nice to do MY heavy work.

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Tom WY

01-04-2001 17:48:31

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

I have 1.37 acres with a whopping 150' gravel driveway. As soon as I get my '47 2N done...
I dont know what I will do with it. I may just blade my drive, and show it off in the annual parade. Perhaps pull a wagon to the bus-stop to pick up the kids??
I JUST GOTTA HAVE IT THOUGH!
Im a farmer at heart, but just can't afford to do it.

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Dumb Logger

01-04-2001 17:29:15

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

Well I plowed, disced,harrowed, and planted our little 3 acre hay field,with my 8-n, a couple of years ago. Most work last couple years has been keeping fields clipped every year and about two miles of dirt roads mowed, as well as keeping up with all the dead and blowdown trees on our 49 acre stump ranch. I made 2,000 dollars last spring on alder logs skidded by the Jubilee,so I feel they earn their keep. I also work up 7-8 cords of wood every year which is moved with the tractors. I wish I could figure out a way to make a living on the place, but until I do I just keep on tractorin' .

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Chris Graves

01-04-2001 17:10:24

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

I have 50 acres and my Dad has about 30 acres ( about 20 acres total is fields ) . We use my '47 2N for bushogging , dragging logs , blade work , and pretend farming . I say pretend because we do it for food and deer and not making a living .

I love my N and will get another one someday so both of us can drive at the same time !

Chris

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WaterBoy in MI.

01-04-2001 16:23:38

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

Hi ACH:

Well now I have to tell a little story. My son bought a two acre lot. He rented a LITTLE Kabota tractor from a rental place. Two days and cost $600.00 dollars. I about fainted. I said son lets go look for a 8-N. Found 1950 8-N with back blade, front loader, rebuilt 9-N engine. Had been changed to 12 Volt. Fella who had it is a machanic at one of those green and yellow shops. Beautiful shape. $3,000.00. I'm happy as a little kid. Takes me back to my days on parents farm. Soon as I figure out how to run this new camera, will post a picture. Named it Tilly after my only Grandaughter. Also my blood pressure came down, best medicine them 8-Ns.

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Jeff G

01-04-2001 16:15:25

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

We have a 30 acres of woods, fruit trees, a nursery, and about 5 acres of grapes. We also have about 2 miles of dirt and gravel roads. Our 8N, in its peak gets about 30 hours a week plowing, ditching, grading, and hauling. Also one of the "bigger" jobs it has done is set some 300 posts, with an auger over the last 3 years. In addition it is regularly run with the brush hog, used to drag logs, trees, and anything else too heavy to carry. I can say without a doubt, it has more than recovered the $2500 I paid for it. My only complaint is when its worked like I use it, it runs great, but as soon as it sits for a while its like it gets artheritis, and each winter it goes through a reasonable overhaul to get it going again in the spring.

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RON

01-04-2001 15:55:37

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

HERE IN CENTRAL PA. WE HAVE A 200 ACRE FARM, WE HAVE ON HAND FOR EQUIPMENT, AN A/C WD, A FARMALL H, A FARMALL SUPER A (MY WIFE'S LAWN MOWER) AND OUR PRIDE AND JOYS A 9N AND AN 8N THE N'S DO THE LIONS SHARE OF THE WORK, EXCEPT FOR THE HEAVIER STUFF, BUT WE PLANT OUR CORN WITH THE 9 AND MY 8 PICKED ALL OF THE CORN THIS FALL, WITHOUT MISSING A BEAT. GLAD I DON'T HAVE TO MAKE MY MAIN LIVING WITH THESE OLDER MACHINE'S BUT MY GRANDAD, DAD, AND FATHER IN LAW ALL DID.

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RON

01-04-2001 15:55:08

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

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Sam (Mo.)

01-04-2001 15:55:06

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

There isn't any crop farming in my area anymore, though there was when I was a kid. Giant "agribusiness" and good transportation actually make it cheaper to grow fruit and veggies in California for Missourians to eat. There's lots of beef cattle being raised here, but that's because folks can pasture cattle and still hold a regular "paying job". Hay is raised, cut, and round-baled with BIG farm equipment, not 50 year old "N's".

Small farms are about gone, and I think the "N" tractors are so popular because they're perfect for us non-farming small landowners. I think I'm pretty typical, and I find LOTS of uses for my 8N's on just 6 acres. I wouldn't want a bigger tractor for what I do.

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Tim Jacoby

01-04-2001 15:52:49

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

My father's 8N is still used to operate the sulfur machine in our vineyard here in Fresno, CA. Also, there are many used near here to pull bin trailers during the harvesting of peaches, plums, etc.

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Scott(Ks.)

01-04-2001 15:33:32

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Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-04-2001 14:48:09

I had 160 acres with a cow herd to feed and hay to put up in the 1970's. My 8N was the primary tractor, others came and went. Nowadays trying to hay on any scale with an N would be kind of like showing up to a gunfight with a knife. I think they are used pretty extensively on truck gardens still. All mine is used for now is mowing, snowblading and occasional dirt work on my 27 acre building site.

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ACH

01-06-2001 17:37:38

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Re: Re: N-series use survey in reply to Scott(Ks.), 01-04-2001 15:33:32

Out of 39 responses so far only 3 of the people (Danny Caudill,Nogrimace,and RON) use there N's for "real" farming. This proves my theory that 8n's,9N's,2N's aren't a very good farm tractor,that;s why I made this post. They are to light to plow and can flip easily because of light weight. And are about the last tractor you want to bale hay with. I think they are junk(all Fords for that matter),I guess they are used for mowing and stuff because they aren't good for much else. I will never own one. Around here most N's are owned by city boys(about 1/2 are yuppies) who bought a 5-acre lot to build a new $200,000+ house on.Land went from $2,000-$3,000 to $8,000-$10,000 in 5 years because of them. I can't afford to buy any land to farm because of these city-boys. Most N's are used exclusively for finsh mowing only. These guys are insane about there 5-acre lawn(mowing everyother day etc.,I mow my 1/2 acre yard and the other 124 is corn/beans,hay and woods. I use Case,John Deere,Allis tractors and equipment. Mowing grass is a waste of time. One guy who built a new house on 5 acres next to me lets his 8N in very good condition set outside while his 94' Ford Ranger sits inside the garage washed and waxed. He doesn't understand that tractors get messed up setting outside while his ranger won't. For a tractor that size and horsepower the ALLIS-CHALMERS CA is better. It would kick a 8N's butt anytime. It weighs 700 lbs more than the 8N. A FARMALL SUPER C is the same size and HP, would also beat a "N". I know this post is going to *$%# you guys off and offend you, It's just my 2-cents as a "Real Farmer" not a wannbe city-boy.
P.S. when you guys say plowing, indicate if it is field plowing or snow-plowing.

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Brad

01-06-2001 21:31:20

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Re: Re: Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-06-2001 17:37:38

It's all a question of scale. I imagine if you look hard enough you'll find someone with a large 4-wheel drive or Caterpillar that would laugh at your equipment. Ford had the first practical three point hitch. That hitch is the pattern for all the current equipment today. When I bought my tractor I needed to be able to use a box blade. How much would I have spent to rig a three point hitch on a "real" tractor? None of the tractors you listed have the versatility of the N series tractors for even close to the price. When did they go to a three point hitch on a Case, JD or an Allis? An how much do those models cost? How much are parts? It all depends on how much tractor you need. As an added bonus, when you have an N you get to associate with some pretty good people here on the board! ;)

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ACH

01-07-2001 08:49:20

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Re: Re: Re: Re: N-series use survey in reply to Brad, 01-06-2001 21:31:20

I give Harry Ferguson credit for the three point hitch,he sold the Idea to ford. JD came out with 3-point in 53' I believe. Case started using it in 60'(but had eagle hitch which is very similar).AC started using it in 59' with the D-10,12 and D15,17,19 by 64'. AC's snap-coupler hitch was a better system,never leave the tractor seat. Just back up until you hear the click,attach the lift chains and go. No toplink to mess with,no catogory bushings to buy. It's a darn shame the snap-coupler isn't the standard that we use today. Have you checked prices on these tractors? They run for about $1,200-$2,200 in my area in good condition,just try to find a N for that price. Add a $400 3pt kit if you want and it will still be cheaper than a N. These tractors are cheaper than 8,9,2,N's beacause they aren't as popular and don't have 3pt. The parts for the CA and Super C are readily available and fairly cheap. But you won't need as many parts to buy for these as the "N's". In Case you are wondering about 40,000 Ca's were made and over 98,000 super C's. I see them in use on other farms around here unklike the N's.

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Brad

01-07-2001 10:16:10

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-07-2001 08:49:20

I gave $500 for my '51 and $150 for my '52 parts tractor. Most of the older tractors ( that I've seen) around here are Ns or Fergusons. I've seen a few JD As and I know where a couple of IH Ms? are, these tractors seem to have been brought in for restoration projects. These are just my observations, the side of Houston I live on is urban and used to be mostly woods or swamp. Somebody out in Sugarland would probably tell you different. An N series wasn't designed to farm two or three hundred acres, who'd want to plow a hundred acre field with a two bottom plow? I wonder if you have more of a problem with the tractor or with people moving into your area and changing the way of life you grew up with.

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Truck

01-06-2001 19:43:01

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Re: Re: Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-06-2001 17:37:38

I think you forgot one factor there when you said most N's aren't used for real farming. PRICE. In the local want ad I can buy N's all day for $2500. For the same price, a real farmer could buy a larger tractor that isn't a Ford to do some real work with. I forgot to mention I also have a 454 International that has taken over from the Fords for dirt work, and a 674 that gets logging use. Seriously, the newer tractors blow away a 2N.There is no substitute for weight, tire size, and HP.Power steering doesn't hurt either.I think you will find most N owners have a wish for a newer Ford, usually lusting after a Jubilee or hundred series tractor. Many do graduate to a larger machine, but the small tractor stays also. The 2N I got for my bro the alpaca rancher was just perfect for his "play farming". Dependable as a rock, and not enough power to get in serious trouble without really trying. I wouldn't dream of sending him a 3000 SOS with the jerkomatic tranny, as I like my neices too much. Ditto for any trike tractor, or anything with serious hp. The N has a place.. Sure it's outdated. Sure it is lightweight, and not very good in the pulls. But any warm blooded human can learn to maintain and repair it without going broke, and it still does useful work 50 years after it was built. Try that with any other machine from 50 years ago.. And also, do you think those computer wonder tractors they are selling today will still be around and chugging away in 2051?
Planned obsolescence will get em!
And I too, don't like increasing land prices. I just got my tax bill for my shack on 1.9 acres.. and it is 5 percent of the purchase price.In 20 years of tax paying, I will have spent as much on taxes as I did on the house, and I can't even have company over.But that's another rant!

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Bill Stanley(NC)

01-06-2001 19:08:37

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Re: Re: Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-06-2001 17:37:38

Don't have an N but a cousin. A MF 35 was purchased for the female at my house to cut grass and bush hog. The tractor, scrape, boom, and bush hog are strictly toys. I maintain the toys as a hobby and for the personal satisfaction it provides.

You are absolutely correct. However profitable farming in the 40's and 50's could probably be accomplished with tractors of the N class. Farming for a living today would require a much greater scale than in the 50's and therefore more land and bigger tractors. The world has changed. Tractors and city boys farming did not drive land prices up. Prices went up because developers built houses in the country where land is cheaper. I also dislike.

Do you have a store bought job also?

I suspect that about half of the interest in N's is for restoration without serious concern about working the tractor. Suspect almost all with N class tractors will also have a store bought job. In my part of NC many who have farms but do not farm have more than one tractor. There cannot possibly be an economic justification for two tractors that are not employed in the business of farming. Judging by the questions many who participate here have little mechanical aptitude or training.

I find nothing wrong with the admiration of beautiful equipment (or beautiful women for that matter) or rebuilding equipment for the joy of doing or learning about mechanics that one missed as a teenager or gentlemen farmers who do not really farm or mowing grass for the pleasure of doing something constructive. We all have fun in different ways.

Sorry you do not like Fords. Most here probably find the N's lines, size and paint scheme to be the classic vision of a tractor.

Thanks.

Bill Stanley(NC)

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ACH

01-07-2001 14:28:37

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Re: Re: Re: Re: N-series use survey in reply to Bill Stanley(NC), 01-06-2001 19:08:37

Yes I have a "store bought job" as you put it also. I am a part-time farmer. I think somebody thinks I farm 124 with the Ca, or as somebody said a 100 acre field with a 2-bottom plow. I don't only use the CA. I also have a Farmall 806,560, a Oliver 88,a IH 300 and the CA. I pull 5-16's with the 806.

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Bill Stanley(NC)

01-08-2001 08:59:48

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: N-series use survey in reply to ACH, 01-07-2001 14:28:37

It's all a matter of perspective. A store bought job and five tractors for 124 acres sounds somewhat like collecting toys and playing.

While traveling in ND in October I stopped to talk to several working a field. Turn out they were working 125 acres which was only about 10% of the total field. And they were farming something over 3,000 acres. Mentioned that I had purchased a MF 35 for the female. Comment was "Good tractor, we use those around the house." Incidentally they were using 1/4 million dollars of equipment that I could see.

Thanks.

Bill Stanley(NC)

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