IH 350 Utility or 2n?

Hi, This is my first post so if this is the wrong section or whatever, I apologize.

I have my eye on two tractors. One is a Ford 2n for $800 not running a bout a year or so, converted to 12 volt about 2 years ago.

The second is an IH 350 Utility with TA(torque amplifier), not running, needs distributor rebuilt, gas tank to be put back on, and a rear tire and other small stuff for $700. Has 2 pt hitch and pto.

I will see if I can knock down the prices a couple hundred dollars on each. So here's the deal. My friend got me into tractors a year ago and now I want to buy one. He made a couple thousand by plowing driveways where he lives. I want to do the same. On the big storms we get about a foot of snow. I have plans to get a scraper blade and plow with that. I know ALL about the "N" series and so I know that it will be able to handle it no problem. Besides, my friend has an 8n and that's living proof.

But what about the IH 350? I know NOTHING about them other than it has about 10-15 more hp. What is a better deal? Obviously, each will have their own problems and I will have to spend several thousand to get them running good. Should I get the 2n or IH. And what about the TA? Are those problematic? can I convert it to 3 pt hitch? expensive to do? ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED.

Oh yah, I have about half an acre with a, oh I say about a 50x30 foot drive way. And that is more or less the basic size of the driveways near me. I live on a mountain, but nothing steep. All the driveways are relatively flat. Nothing more than 15 degree.

If it's too long, sorry. Just giving you something to work around.

Any Question's and I'll do my best to answer them!

I may be a bit IH biased, but having owned 2 Ford 8n's, and many IH's, I'd vote for the 350 any day, hands down. Much more power, and more rugged design. More weight as well. 350 is just a better tractor. Just my two cents.

You are comparing an apple and an orange. The 350 has at least twice the HP and twice the weight. But $700 puts it in the junk class, just as $800 puts the 2N in the same class. 350 is vastly superior to the 2N when in running condition, but will probably cost a small fortune to get running. If you are that familiar with the 9N/2N/8N, take what you think the 8N will cost to get running and triple it for the 350. Yes, the TA can give problems because of operator malfunctions, probably needs to be rebuilt. Adaptors are available to convert the fast hitch to 3 point. However, the bushings,etc in the fast hitch are likely shot. Cost me about $600 to have the fast hitch on my 460U rebuilt (460 is replacement for the 350).

350 is so superior the price is a bit scarry.
The 350 needs to have a compression check done. If it has compression in the range of 120 or so +or- 10% on the average, It is a much betyter deal. Have a contract for sale that is conditional on a good engine.
The 2N will be far less tractor when operating. JimN

Wow, you guys were quick. Thanks for the info CNKS.
I made a mistake by saying a few thousand to fix. I meant to say I only have a few hundred to fix it up. And than as I make money with it, that's more money to restore it.

But if it cost a WHOLE LOT MORE to fix the 350, than I probably won't be able to gather enough spare money, at least not before winter.

I know that the 2n has only been sitting a year or so, so it shouldn't be terribly hard to find the problem. I guess the 2n is it. Only problem, is another guy got there before me. But are there any other tractors that you guys suggest? Allis Chalmers, Farmall, John Deere? I know how indestructible the fords are, especially the 8n, so I think I'm biased for them. But anything else?

JimN, I know that the 2n will be less superior. But remember I only have 1/2 an acre. The only other job I will use it for besides the snow is to clear out a part of the yard from rocks and dirt. I was considering a Power King tractor, but I have it in the back of my mind that it is just to small for what I need.

In the N series HP and weight range, you have the C/Super C/200/230/240. Each is an upgrade of the other. The C and part of the Super C's did not have fast hitch or 3 points, aftermarkets are available. I am IH biased, but have driven an 8N, mostly for cultivating, the ones I listed are far superior to the N's rear mount cultivator. But if you like the N series, why switch?

As some of the others have said the 350 is much more of a tractor than the 2N. We've had a 350 Utility and an 8N on the farm ever since before I was born (1964) and I have logged many hours on both, and overhauled both engines, and rebuilt the TA in the 350. I would have to say that if they are both fixer-uppers and all you are going to be doing is mostly plowing snow and light chores, and you are looking to do this as cheaply as possible, I would probably go with the 2N. New replacement parts are plentiful and reasonably priced, and there are alot of 9N tractors, which have most of the same parts as a 2N, in salvage yards for used parts if needed. Parts for the 350 are not as common and would be on average more expensive and some would be less easy to find. Plus the 2N would be lighter and easier to work on if you had to split it, remove the engine for repairs, etc. The 2N would also burn less gas.

As some of the others have said the 350 is much more of a tractor than the 2N. We've had a 350 Utility and an 8N on the farm ever since before I was born (1964) and I have logged many hours on both, and overhauled both engines, and rebuilt the TA in the 350. I would have to say that if they are both fixer-uppers and all you are going to be doing is mostly plowing snow and light chores, and you are looking to do this as cheaply as possible, I would probably go with the 2N. New replacement parts are plentiful and reasonably priced, and there are alot of 9N tractors, which have most of the same parts as a 2N, in salvage yards for used parts if needed. Parts for the 350 are not as common and would be on average more expensive and some would be less easy to find. Plus the 2N would be lighter and easier to work on if you had to split it, remove the engine for repairs, etc. The 2N would also burn less gas.

OK, it's the Farmall Forum. I like IH best. And I work them on my farm. If you are familiar with Fords and can get help working on one you might be better off with the Ford.

The major weak point on a 350 Utility is the steering gearbox. If the steering is worn out and sloppy then free might be too much for the 350. If it is good and tight then I agree with the others that it is a far superior tractor.

Sometimes it is best to stay with what you or your friends know.

My dad farmed with a 9N through the forties, including custom hay baling, but bought a Farmall M in a wet year and never went back to being down in the dust. He was getting stuck and the dealer told him the bigger tires would not get him stuck as often. He says the jury is still out on that. I guess it may never come in.

CNKS, you said that it would be in the junk class for that price. And that is exactly what I am looking for. A broken tractor that I can restore. It will probably take me a year, but I don't care. This would be a project I want to do.

And the fact that MHMalcolm said it would be easy to do any repair(i.e. splitting it or engine rebuilding)is nice. If I had to, I need to do it in a single car garage.(If my mom lets me as I'm only a soon-to-be junior in H.S., my dad should be easy to convince to do that)

And I guess the only reason I like fords is because it's the only tractor I have ridden and used it for work. And that was only for about 10 minutes.(my friends 8n) Kind of like a lot of people like their first car, or first breed of dog the best. Also is they are simple to operate.

Also as MHMalcolm had said, the parts are easy and cheaper to find and buy than the international. On a VERY low budget, that is what I need.

THANKS EVERYONE!!! YOU HAVE BEEN A GREAT HELP!!!
But if I had more land, and a better budget, than I probably would go with the IH 350 as you guy's suggested.

This doesn't exactly answer the original question...but it isn't necessary to limit yourself to an IH350U.

There are plenty of nice IH utility tractors out there in a range of power and sizes.

I'm a fan of the IH 340U and IH 460U which are either working and being worked on at present.

The "later" tractors have better and better chances of useful features like live PTOs and 3 point hitches already setup from the factory.