Ford 960... decent replacement for a 8n?

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 have a 1964 Ford 4 cylinder with power
steering, 5 speed, and a Rest-O-Ride seat.
I am pretty sure it has the same 45HP 172'
engine. Easily handles a 6' bushhog and a
7' finishing mower. Never baled any hay
with it. I like it a lot.
 
lots of 960/961's around, lots of parts - they are excellent tractors within their limitations, which mainly surround HP -

It would not be safe to assume that any particular 900 series would have remote hydraulics - if any particular unit does not have it, plan on $300+ to add it

They are a big step up from an N series - something like 2X the horse power and 5 speeds and live power (that's what the one you are looking at sounds like)

They can also be used hard - with prices being what they are, there is no need to settle for something that needs major work or at least let the price reflect it -

check the condition of the 3point, and it should have a deep drop swinging drawbar with the bracket mechanism in good shape with no cobbled up bolts where it attaches to the differential housing -

a bit of seepage around the power take off can be expected, but check for end play - it's not particularly difficult or expensive to rebuild the area, but let the price reflect it -

a big percentage of these tractors have power steering, but the reservoirs are empty and the mechanism leaks - this area tends to be rather expensive to work on, and a leaking cylinder is not rebuildable beyond the replacement of seals that cost way too much -

older small farm equipment is easily within the capabilities of a 960 - if it's in good condition -

you're unlikely to regret this step up if the machine is in serviceable condition -
 
50/50 chance a 960 will have remotes. it will handle a square baler no problem. I'm not sure about a 9ft haybine. if the hay is heavy I don't thidnk so.
 
The 960 is in the mid to uper 40 horse range. I pulled a 9' unit with no problems with a Farmall H at 27 horse. So I would think no problems there. The big thing would be the type of unit, one that raises the entire unit or just the header. First type requires a lot more hydrolic pressure.
 

Seeing your handle, "ridgeandvalley," I'd be somewhat more concerned about roll-over potential with a 960 than an 8N; especially if the 960 has a narrow front end.

Other than that, what the others have said is mostly true,
 
The FORD 960 tractor introduced the new tricycle style models. They would have the 172 CID Red Tiger engine; 5-Speed transmission, Live PTO, and other options available as well. The 960 should do all you are looking for, but I would also caution against using a Row-Crop model on hills and slopes. A 660 or even a bigger 860 might be best suited to upgrade from an 8N. You will get more HP but also more gas consumption too. The NAA introduced the first OHV Red Tiger engine at 134 CID and slight improvements over the 8N. The 600 Series continued with the 134 CID engines as well, so a 660 might do all the work as well. Not certain about the hay baler stuff. You need to read the Operator's Manual on the hay equipment to determine the requirements and compare to what the tractor is capable of.

Tim Daley(MI)
 
I should have added too that going even further up the ladder to a 2000 or 3000 model would be wiser choices. The beauty of these old Ford Tractors whatever the model is, that parts are available for the most part virtually everywhere. You cannot say that for a lot of models these days. One example is a 1984 Massey-Ferguson Model 1010 I recently worked on. They were made in Japan, with Japanese diesel engines, and no longer serviced, meaning parts are no longer available and no one makes aftermarket stuff for them. When looking to 'upgrade' to any model whether a vintage or a newer brand, always check on parts and service before buying. You may be surprised to find you can get an new Kubota, Mahindra, or Kyote but no service. Kubotas are usually a good choice -most dealers also service as well.

Tim Daley(MI)
 
Go for it. I love mine. Narrow
front is only as dangerous as you
are. Common sense is the key. My
buddy has a 951 that he uses for
hay. He loves it. If you want a
wide front you can find the front
axle on Craigslist and swap em.
Post pictures and questions ,lots
of good advice on here.
a273077.jpg

a273078.jpg
 
You may be surprised to find you can get an new Kubota, Mahindra, or Kyote but no service. Kubotas are usually a good choice -most dealers also service as well.

I can believe that some Kioti and maybe some Mahindra dealers don't do their own service, but I am pretty sure that virtually all Kubota dealers do.

Another thing to be aware of is that some Japanese brand tractors as new as only 20 years old are gray market, which means that they were originally sold into another country and after they were well used a third party bought them refurbished them and resold them into the US and the original manufacturer will not supply parts for them in the US and tell their dealers not to even do routine maintenance type of service on them. Yanmar and Kubota are two brands that come to mind in this regard.
 
Thanks again. Yes, I wish the tractor had the wide front, but luckily all of my pasture and hay ground is on a ridge top and is relatively flat compared to the land on either side, so I don't think the tricycle front will be deal breaker for me. I've used my father in law's Farmall M with a narrow front on this land without any problems.

Originally, I was hoping to find something in the 800 series, as these seem to have the same basic form factor as my 8n, just with more HP, but haven't seen anything around my general area. Same thing with the 3000. This is the first Ford that's popped up in my area that falls in the HP range I'm looking for; looks to be in good physical shape; and is within my budget.

Hoping to go see the tractor this evening. Going in with eyes open. If I see any red flags, I'll pass and keep looking.
 
I run a 961-D with a New Holland 9' haybine. Has wide front and I have all tires out almost to max. Lets me just about straddle the swath without very little drive-down packing. Plumbed in a log splitter type valve mounted on a bracket just over rear axle. Handles hills fine for cutting- do most in 3rd gear, but I now use a 5200 for the baling. (Don't have to swap implements :)
 
Both of my 960 fords had the rear hydraulic hoses on them. did not have the control lever so I would suspect you would have to buy one and put it on. Very good tractors. good luck with your purchase.
 
The 9xx tractors will do the jobs you speak
of. As for myself, if I needed a tractor
with the size, weight and hp of a 900/901 I
would for sure want a 3 cyl 4000 instead.
 
Hi. I have no experience with the 900 series tractor, but have a fair bit with the
860, 861 tractors. I am sending a picture of our 860 mowing with a 9 foot MF
haybine,the tractor had an easy time with it in all conditions,the hydraulics
lifted the whole machine. We also used a NH 273 square hay baler with it,no
problem. We cut only about 80 acres of hay and green feed every year. Here in
Canada we often pay between 4 and 5 dollars for a gallon of gas, so the bigger
jobs have since been replaced with much more efficient diesel tractors.
a273151.jpg
 
Well, I looked at the 960 and couldn't pass it up for the price. Everything looked really clean and worked as it should. Good power steering, live PTO, hydraulic hookups for my machinery, etc...

Seller threw in a front loader (bucket is pretty rusty, but the rest of it is in good shape) that works, and delivered it for free. Just put it in the barn a few hours ago. I'd go "play" with it, but it's brutally hot out there right now. That'll have to wait for a bit.

Quick follow up question. It was advertised as a 960. I found an operator's manual online for Ford 701 and 901 tractors, which covers the 961 model. Is this the same as a 960? The pictures look similar enough that it could be. If not, is it close enough that the basic info in this manual would be the same as for the 960?

Here's the new 960 that will be replacing my 8n.

mvphoto19637.jpg
 
The main difference between the 700/900 and 701/901 series was the front pedestal and steering setup. The hundred series row crops originally came with a single piece pedestal and no wide front option available. They actually changed them at the beginning of 57, when the 700's & 900's were still being made so a '57 700 or 900 has the same two piece front pedestal and steering setup as the 701/901 series.
 

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