Looking at 8N today

There's a '43 2N for sale in the area as well for $1800, I've seen a picture, looks OK. Lots new there, too, according to description.

I'm looking for a tractor to mainly mow my 10 acre pasture, which is all grass, or grass-like weeds. I'll obviously need a mower as well. Driveway maintenence and general hobby-farm duties would be included. My absolute max budget for initial purchase is about $4000, but under that would be fine

For a tractor newbie, is the 8N a good place to start, or should I concentrate on later models like the 600, or even the MF TO35 or...?

When I look at the 8N, what should I absolutely run screaming from? I wouldn't mind restoring one day but it needs to earn its keep before then.

Thanks everyone for the excellent advice! I'm mechanically oriented so I'm not too worried about that sort of stuff...that said, I don't really want to get into a strip-down right away, I have a million other projects boiling right now.

Prices here in Washington State seem pretty "high," and there is not much at all to look at, and the tractors do sell. I'm pretty jealous when I look at the sheer number and model variety that some of y'all have for sale in your area.

I can just imagine buying a used tractor for $2000 in PA and paying $2000 to ship it...not. Sigh.

I will keep you posted and thanks for your patience.

It might be amusing to get the serial # off the engine and check out what it really is (see the "serial numbers" link on the left of this page) (assuming that there wasn't an engine swap).

-Bryan

So far all is good advice. I would like to reinforce the importance of scutinizing your potintial tractor. I learned through experience. I found myself in your shoes last year and came across an 8 for 3000$. I did not want a project right off the bat but rather a top of the line used/rebuilt one that would mow on my 8 acre place and possibly help pay for itself by mowing for others in my immediate area. Well the tractor looked great sounded great and so on. What I found after about 100 hours was that the oil pressure dropped to near nothing, which drove me crazy. I committed to tearing it down to find that the rebuild that the previous owner had claimed consisted of new rings on bad sleeves and new bearings on an untouched crank. I put another 1100$ in machine work and new parts. Tractor is now tops like I beleived it was when I purchased it. Lesson Learned. Run the tests, look for the signs, take your time. I would have found that the compression might have tested good, but not that of a good rebuild. Maybe I could have knocked some off the purchase price or found a less expensive tractor in the same condition. Foutunately the previous owner was picky about the paint. It still looks good.

Run it through the wringer,

Noel

So far all is good advice. I would like to reinforce the importance of scutinizing your potintial tractor. I learned through experience. I found myself in your shoes last year and came across an 8 for 3000$. I did not want a project right off the bat but rather a top of the line used/rebuilt one that would mow on my 8 acre place and possibly help pay for itself by mowing for others in my immediate area. Well the tractor looked great sounded great and so on. What I found after about 100 hours was that the oil pressure dropped to near nothing, which drove me crazy. I committed to tearing it down to find that the rebuild that the previous owner had claimed consisted of new rings on bad sleeves and new bearings on an untouched crank. I put another 1100$ in machine work and new parts. Tractor is now tops like I beleived it was when I purchased it. Lesson Learned. Run the tests, look for the signs, take your time. I would have found that the compression might have tested good, but not that of a good rebuild. Maybe I could have knocked some off the purchase price or found a less expensive tractor in the same condition. Foutunately the previous owner was picky about the paint. It still looks good.

Run it through the wringer,

Noel

flathead

• John Smiths Site

Keep in mind that these are 50+ years-old machines and all but the best will probably require some work when you buy it. If you are mechanically inclined, and have the time, any of the vintage Fords should be OK for you. The good news if that nearly all parts are readily available at reasonable prices.

If I were looking to buy a single tractor in your price range I would look for a decent 6xx or 8xx as these can be had for around $3,500 here near Cincinnati. You would still have a bew bucks in your budget for a bush hog. Keep in mind that the 8xx will handle a 6 footer while a 5 footer is tops for the 8N. The Jubilee/NAA, 6xx can handle a light 6 footer in ideal conditions but will be much better suited to a 5 footer.

Happy hunting.

Dean