Wife has the tractor collecting bug!

martyh

Member
So we bought a 1950's Ford 640 a week or so ago. We thought it was a 1954 based on the type of water pump/fan installed but after scraping off the paint and running the serial number we see it's a 1956.

So, we go to the Portland, Indiana tractor show over the weekend and now she's hooked on Fords. I can see us ending up with maybe three. The 640, something smaller and something bigger. For larger I really like the 861. There was beautiful one on display at Portland. For smaller, maybe a 9N or even a Ferguson?
 
great problem to have!
line em up, before she changes her mind!
a 640 and a 861 is a great one-two punch.
casual use, they can cover about everything.

and a N.......lol...ain't gonna argue here...N's have been and probably will forever be, the most popular old tractor out there...
But if ya gotta have a N...from 39-52 they were pretty much the same tractor...and 99% of the people that see it will say..'nice 8N'.
So, take, look for, the best Ford had to offer in the N series.
51-52 8N with the side distributor, better steering box, proofmeter, etc, etc
 
I agree with NoNewParts but would also add that the late 8N's also have a double axle seal that helps a lot on keeping the oil off the brakes. my 2 cents worth Greg NE
 
(quoted from post at 10:05:02 08/31/15) I agree with NoNewParts but would also add that the late 8N's also have a double axle seal that helps a lot on keeping the oil off the brakes. my 2 cents worth Greg NE

That's an excellent point. Our R/C club has an 8N which essentially has no brakes because they can never keep the brakes dry. It does not have a provision for a proofmeter so it must be an older 8N.

If I added a little guy though, I'd love to get into the 1930's if possible. It'd be neat to be riding around finish mowing on something that old. If the early 9N's were complete piles of trouble though, I could be dissuaded.
 
On the N series go for one with the side mount distributor so that you do not have the distributor problems the early ones had and the weak square coil and the fact you have to pull the distributor to do the points. The later 8N as by far more reliable and easier to work on
 
I happen to have all of the tractors you're thinking about. Well except mine is an 860 not an 861.

I gotta say, I wouldn't even bother with an N unless you want it just as a "collectable" piece. The 640 is basically the same as an N, just better.

Don't get me wrong I love my 8n and it's a great tractor, but now that I have my 640 my N just sits.
 
(quoted from post at 12:32:26 08/31/15) I happen to have all of the tractors you're thinking about. Well except mine is an 860 not an 861.

I gotta say, I wouldn't even bother with an N unless you want it just as a "collectable" piece. The 640 is basically the same as an N, just better.

Don't get me wrong I love my 8n and it's a great tractor, but now that I have my 640 my N just sits.

I know exactly what you are talking about and at the moment I don't really need to be spending money on another tractor anyhow. I am however, interested in "saving" a couple for future generations. A look on Craigslist and you see a lot of unloved tractors. I'm just thinking, before they are lost, grab a couple of 'em.
 
Be careful with the type of thinking. That is how I ended up with around 30 of them. Got them cheap as in scrap price then fixed the ones that could be and parted out the ones that could not be fixed with out more $$ then they where worth
 
Ya but what gets me is it does not matter what brand many of the older tractors be they Ford or Farmall or AC all the gears forward and backwards where to fast to do many thing other then plow or disk etc. I think Oliver might have been the first to think hey 1st is to fast but lacked the 3 point system
 
Agreed. My model 640 borders on too fast as well. I have no idea what they were thinking back then. They're all way too fast for a lot of uses! I don't need another tractor like that so we'll probably hold out for the right 861/851 or come a little newer and get into the 3 cylinder 2000 with the better gear selections. I still want to save a 9N, 2N or 9N but as I have practical needs right now, they'll probably have to wait unless something perfect falls in my lap.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top