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Jim in Pa.
09-23-2003 16:51:07
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Re: 8N in reply to PhilipH, 09-21-2003 18:54:05
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Phillip, Last thanksgiving we moved from the city to two grassy acres and I contemplated what to buy to mow, clear snow, and possibly do some landscaping. I'm mechanically inclined but knew nothing about tractors. Our previous mower was a 19" B&D electric.
My two nearest neighbors each had about 7 grand wrapped up in garden tractor/snow blower combos.
After deliberating all winter,(thanks, Mark & Carmen, for blowing my snow!) talking to anyone who had an opinion, and making my wife a computer widow,(thanks, everybody here!) I decided to look for an 8N, preferably with a Sherman step up/down tranny. After going to some sales, I bought the first one I found with a Sherman, it's about a '50 with a "Ford Remanufactured" tag on the engine,not bad sheet metal, faded blue/gray paint that was probably applied to match the body to the reman. engine. It was a dealer trade at the local Kubota lot. I printed out the checklist from the Smith's most excellent "N" site and went through it step by step right there with the tractor in front of me. Made them remove the cement mixer from the 3-point hitch before I arrived (had it's own hydraulics and required the tractor hydraulics to be locked out.) Most things checked out, hyd. pump knocked a little, rear axle seals leaked on brakes. They were firm on price but promised to give it a going over and replace the oil gauge and battery and include a top link. I paid $2895, they delivered for free at their convenience. While waiting for delivery, got a 6' blade at auction for $30, the weekend after it arrived we got our last snow and I cleared 5 driveways in the neighborhood (Never been so happy to clear snow). Got a Sauder front end loader since for $15, have yet to mount it. Tecma 6' finish mower, about $1200 new. With summer's heat it began cooking over, $20 for a pressure flush at the radiator shop cleaned out most of the rust flakes but it's due again. A month ago it got real loud, ran crappy, the exh. manifold gasket blew on #4, took it apart to find the manifold warped & cracked. Bought a repro. manifold, ported & polished it, new muffler, tune up kit, carb rebuild kit, cost about $180 and it runs strong, mowed foot plus high grass, clover and raspberries in the neighbor's field without complaining. Sometime this fall, I hope to put in new axle seals and brakes. Maybe paint & body too. My advice to you is to gauge your mechanical ability, free time, and interest in old machines against the N's ability to do the jobs you want it to do. There're sometimes newer/better/heavier tractors in the same price range. It won't run a rototiller, even though you can mount one to it, but will use almost anything for cat. 1 three point hitch that you can drag home in a pickup bed. If those two match up, check out the the tractor once it's assembled and running, a deposit should hold it 'till then. There's lots of advice in the archives on what to look for. If you buy an "N" you'll have a collector's item that's also useful, versatile, and easy to work on and should never be worth less than you paid for it. I'm glad I did.
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