ridgeandvalley
Member
Hi,
I grew up using a Ford 8n on our little hobby farm. When I got my own place, I picked up an 8n of my own, and it's been a handy little tractor for 20+ years. I now find myself needing something with a little more horsepower, as I'd like to be able to use an old haybine and small square baler to make hay on about 7 acres of hay ground. Other than that, just some brush hog mowing, blade work, and miscellaneous other tasks that the 8n was able to do.
I've come across an ad for a Ford 960 that's not too far from me. Looks to be in decent shape and has new rear tires. Ad says "power steering and live PTO" which would be nice additions compared to what I'm used to with the 8n. I would need hydraulic hookups to lift the haybine and aim the thrower on the baler. Am I safe to assume that a 960 would have the hydraulics to do these jobs? Does it have the power to operate an older 9 foot haybine and older small square baler?
Any other thoughts on this model? Pros and cons? How about parts availability? With the 8n, I was always impressed at how easy it was to find replacement parts, as well as "how to's" for just about anything on line. Will my knowledge and skills with the 8n carry over to the 960 or is it a "whole 'nother animal"? Thanks in advance for any input. I may be going to see it tomorrow evening, so am trying to go well prepared.
I grew up using a Ford 8n on our little hobby farm. When I got my own place, I picked up an 8n of my own, and it's been a handy little tractor for 20+ years. I now find myself needing something with a little more horsepower, as I'd like to be able to use an old haybine and small square baler to make hay on about 7 acres of hay ground. Other than that, just some brush hog mowing, blade work, and miscellaneous other tasks that the 8n was able to do.
I've come across an ad for a Ford 960 that's not too far from me. Looks to be in decent shape and has new rear tires. Ad says "power steering and live PTO" which would be nice additions compared to what I'm used to with the 8n. I would need hydraulic hookups to lift the haybine and aim the thrower on the baler. Am I safe to assume that a 960 would have the hydraulics to do these jobs? Does it have the power to operate an older 9 foot haybine and older small square baler?
Any other thoughts on this model? Pros and cons? How about parts availability? With the 8n, I was always impressed at how easy it was to find replacement parts, as well as "how to's" for just about anything on line. Will my knowledge and skills with the 8n carry over to the 960 or is it a "whole 'nother animal"? Thanks in advance for any input. I may be going to see it tomorrow evening, so am trying to go well prepared.