8N or 600/800 advice

Hi, I am looking for advice on my first tractor purchase. It will be used for driveway maintenance, mowing/bushhogging 2 acres of field, and skidding/clearing trees (mostly 12” or less) and brush from the woods. It is important to me that my kids, both high school age, begin to use and feel comfortable with it.

My price range is 3K, and as a result I’ve been looking mosty at smaller, older tractors like the 8N or Farmall A, but I’ve recently found a Ford 800 diesel Select-O-Speed in my price range. I am tempted to follow the usual advice and buy more tractor than I think I need. I also like that it is geared lower than the 8N, but at the same time concerned that it may be too much machine especially for my kids. Also, knowing nothing about the reliability of the Select-O-Speed, would appreciate any input on that particular feature of the 600 and 800 series.
 
I almost always would recommend an 800 series over
the n series. that said, it really depends on the
tractors you are looking at. I am not a fan of the
select o speed, but they can be an excellent option.
A good 8N would do all the things you are looking to
do, but a good 800 series would do it better and is
really a much better tractor. I would have to look
at each tractor to make a better recommendation.
 
Unless you good with a wrench and reading instructions I would stay away for an SOS transmission and a diesel. The SOS needs TLC from time to time that the 4 or 5 speeds do not. I would also try to find something in the 860/861 model over the others due to live PTO which is important for many things
 
Welcome to the best tractor board on the whole internet.
Don't buy an N. Buy a 600/800.
They are just so much better of a tractor and will out perform an N on every level.
As for the kids, they will do just fine with the bigger machine.
 
Definitely buy a 55-64 machine lil a 6xx or 8xx. Vs a n or naa, I think id steer clear of an SOS model however, if it was my only machine and I wanted it for work. If you had 20 of them and wanted an SOS to play with, that's different.
 
Thank you all for your advice, this is a great forum. Here is a photo of the tractor, I was told it is a '59, and may be a 871? It is very well maintained but I have read some horror stories about the select o speed. I have also found but have not looked at yet a '57 860. The 860 is more expensive, but of the two it sounds like it would be a better fit for my mechanical learning curve?
a171696.jpg
 
The pictured tractor looks to be a nice one.

I'm not fond of the early Ford four cylinder diesel engine but do like the S-O-S transmission.

I would not consider an 8N unless it was less than half the cost of the 871.

Dean
 
The 871 seems nice! If the 860 isn't too much more, it might be a better tractor. It would have live power as would the selecto, almost bullet proof tranny, and should start nice in some pretty cold weather. Of course test each out as best you can.
 
(quoted from post at 17:47:52 10/16/14) Thank you all for your advice, this is a great forum. Here is a photo of the tractor, I was told it is a '59, and may be a 871? It is very well maintained but I have read some horror stories about the select o speed. I have also found but have not looked at yet a '57 860. The 860 is more expensive, but of the two it sounds like it would be a better fit for my mechanical learning curve?
a171696.jpg

How do you know that it was well maintained? It must have had at least two owners.
 
I do like 8n's. But they were not made for bush
hogging. Not enough power. if the grass is
above your ankles. it's time to mow with an 8n.

I think you should look for an 860 and not a
861.

The 861 uses wider more expensive tires, most
have the hard to find power adjust rims that
almost all ways need replaced.

The widow lady next door has a 861 diesel in
her shed. it needs a new injector pump, both
rear tires,one rim and has a problem with 3rd
gear. I figure it will take $3500 to fix hers.
I'm hoping she comes down on her price if I
leave it set a few more months.Last I asked she
wanted $7000.00!
 
As others have observed, there are a lot of 'mutts' out there with
different combinations of engines and transmissions over the
years.

I would take a 6XX or 8XX with a live PTO over one without

I would take the 5 speed over the SOS for reasons already
mentioned.

I would take gas over diesel as easier for me to fix.

I would take a 6XX or 8XX without a live pto over a jubilee or
NAA because I think they have stronger rear ends

I would take a jube or an NAA over a 9n/2n/8n because of the
live hydraulics
 
First tractor and young people using it too,
I'd take SOS and early diesels off the list.
I'd also pass on the 8N and Farmall A. Both good little tractors, but no.
Geared 60* or 80* series would be my goal with that money.
Since you mentioned trees and woods, 80* series
preferred for the weight increase alone.(and a 800 will go pretty much anywhere a 8N can go)
The hundred series are actually easier to operate than the earlier ones too.

At the $3k level, depending on your area's prices, a little newer Blue one might be possible too.
 
(quoted from post at 19:47:52 10/16/14) ]

I'm curious whether the SOS is still the original red transmission or whether it's been updated to a blue transmission? If it's the blue one, it's a dang good transmission if it's not been totally mistreated.

I started driving an SOS tractor when I was 7 years old. If I had an SOS available to me, I'd snap it up in a heartbeat. Contrary to most others here, I'd run from that danged shin bustin' 5 speed!!!!

Finally, 800 series had neither the diesel engine option, nor the SOS option. It therefore is an 801 series. The picture verifies that as well.
 
Lower grill area looks like a repair...has it had a loader on it at some time in its life? If so look at center pivot pin for wear.
 

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