9n Transmission question

A new 18-20HP JD (or Kubota) compact will way outperform any N series tractor with the possible exception of serious plowing (probably no draft control). Live hydraulics, quality brakes, PS, good usable gearing, etc, make them vastly easier and safer to use. A live PTO is nice but live hydraulics is way more important IMHO.

As for "sturdiness" I've found the compacts to be every bit as sturdy as an N, especially the 4WD models. They are more complex machines which means more things to maintain but they are very well built. A NEW machine will be virtually trouble free for the next 20+ years if properly maintained and not abused. I've got a 25 year old 4WD Kubota compact loader tractor with 2000+ hours on the original engine and it's still going strong. I purchased it with 600 hours on it for $6500 almost 20 years ago. I paid $2000 for my 9N about the same time and I've put 5X more money into the N than the Kubota. In fairness the N is 30 years older but quite simply it is no more well built.

OTOH the compacts are, well, compacts. Even a small 10AC operation is likely to tax a 1800# machine on some chores. For example my Kubota loader maxes out at 600#. That's a bit anemic and I'm definitly in the market for a bigger machine with more beef (30-35HP/3000#). My advice to you would be shop the used tractor market in that size range for something built in the last 20-25 years. A used MF/IH/JD/Kubota/Ford w/loader. PS and a hydrostatic or shuttle shift transmission is a serious plus for loader work.

YMMV,

TOH

However, you missed that opportunity so I'll address you follow up questions. Live pto is very nice, but lots of us get by without it. I use my Ford 850 (bigger than a 9N) to bale hay and I don't have live pto. To me, baling hay would be the most useful reason to have live pto. Buying small, learning as you go and then moving up sounds like a reasonable approach. A 9N or 8N will always have a use on your place even after you've bought a bigger, nicer tractor.

The first year live pto became available was in 1955 with the "hundred" series. Ford introduced four different series that year (600, 700, 800, 900) with more than one model available in each series except the 700 series which was only available as a 740. In the other series, live pto was installed on all models that had a 6 in the middle of the model number (660, 860, 960).

Live hydraulics was a feature that became available 2 years earlier with the NAA/Golden Jubilee. Some people confuse live hydraulics with live pto, or they just say "live power" without specifically explaining what they mean. If a seller tells you it has "live power", ask more questions to see what exactly he means by that. If his explanation seems to indicate live pto, check the model number. If it doesn't have a 6 in the middle, the seller is telling you stories, or he just doesn't know.

ALL Ford tractors have live hydraulics starting in 1953. The N's do not have live hydraulics or live pto.

I get away with not having an ORC because the only pto inplement that I use with that much energy is my hay baler and it has it's own ORC built in. In reality I should probably get an ORC anyway just in case the baler's slip clutch ever locks up.

BTW, if that 9N becomes available again, I have a 9N transmission sitting in the back yard if you need any parts.

JMHO,

TOH

It might be fixed by taking steering column off the top of the transmission and detrermine which shifter fork is out of place.

If there are broken parts in there it will definitely need to be split and disassembled.
If you can get this tractor for $500-$700 it should be a good deal for yoiu even if it does cost a few $ to repair tranny.