How to tell a 9n from a 2n

nondem

Member
I know during the war there were 2ns sold with steel wheels and a magneto...since the tires tend to have been swapped out for rubber by now - how can I tell the 2n from the 9n? I know I could eyeball the Serial number(in theory), but I'm talking from 10 feet away.
 
Most of the 2N have the tube type radius rods where the 9N had the I-beam type. Yes some of the early 2Ns had the I-beam type also but out of the whole thing not a real large number of them. Of course then you have the mutts and those you know are a mix and match up tractor built form more then one
 
nondem.......does it really matter??? Only sphincterly challenged originality inspectors care. Because steel wheels and lugged wheels are "rare", they are worth more to the "collector" today. Front axle support beams are "I-beams" for 9N's and "tube-beams" for 2N's. Both engines are 4-nipple front mounts ........notta'thority Dell
 
(quoted from post at 12:06:32 01/22/13) I know during the war there were 2ns sold with steel wheels and a magneto...since the tires tend to have been swapped out for rubber by now - how can I tell the 2n from the 9n? I know I could eyeball the Serial number(in theory), but I'm talking from 10 feet away.


About the only part I can think of is the 2N tool box will not mount to the 9N battery box and vice versa .

Basically the "2N" was just a name change to avoid the war time price freeze on "existing" models .

There are lots of small changes from the 39 and early 40's to the late 40's and 41's .
 
I'm aware of Smiths site....Since the I-Beams could be found on some 2Ns that rules them out. If the tool box doesn't interchange it might be the only sure way.
 
The I-beam was only used in from what I have read here the first year of production of the 2N as in till they ran out of them and that is common with most any thing built that gets an up grade so the chances of a 2N that you see with the I-beam type will be slim
 
Look at the back axle. Solid where the fender bolts
are on the 9N. Open on the 2N. Not sure at what
serial number this occurred. Tool box is different.
If original there will be a small 2N on the badge.
(Can't see that from 10 ft though).
 
I had a 9N tool box on my 47 2N until I traded it with my brother to put on his 39 so I know they can be interchanged. It can be pretty difficult to tell what is original and what isn't without knowing the complete history of the tractor.

Mark
 
(quoted from post at 15:28:05 01/22/13) I'm aware of Smiths site....Since the I-Beams could be found on some 2Ns that rules them out. If the tool box doesn't interchange it might be the only sure way.

The front axle support/doglegs are very good clues. Early 2N's used the 9N cast support but had a different radiator support with a cutout and a tapped hole on the front for retaining the 8N teardrop flanged style axle pin. That support also had brackets for through bolts that held the doglegs on from the outside and those bolts should be clearly visible from well beyond 10 feet ;-) Later 2N's used the 8N two piece stamped steel support and the same bolt on style doglegs as Ford ramped up for 8N production.

TOH

IMG_1470.jpg
 
Seems I have seen it said more then one way here so not 100% sure and of course you know how parts seem to never stay with the correct machine.
 
But hey if it has the tube type radius rods and a 3 speed if still as it should be you know it is a 2N
 
That is why I say what I did say but so far I have not found where people can agree when the I-Beam type stopped and the tube type started. seen 2 or 3 different opinions on that
 
So, radius rods looks like it's the best way to tell...the odds of finding a 2N with the I-beam type are very small.

I guess I should come clean as to why it's important for me...Well, it's actually not all that important, we aren't curing cancer here are we?

The reason is that I'm the resident "N" expert in my family...in fact, I'm the only guy I know personally that has one(and I actually have TWO).
So, when on road trips - my wife expects me to be able to tell her what model a Ford tractor is while I'm driving at highway speeds - from a distance.
The Radius Rods might help as long as the grass isn't too tall :)


(quoted from post at 12:45:19 01/23/13) But hey if it has the tube type radius rods and a 3 speed if still as it should be you know it is a 2N
 
Ah but then you have the 8N so unless you can also see the wheels then it could be either the 2N or 8N so yep at highway speed can be hard to be sure. Me I do it the easy way if asked something like that. I say looks to be an N series tractor maybe we should stop and look and see if it is for sale. Bet if you said that a few times she would stop asking LOL. Or maybe you would get lucky and she would say well lets stop and see if it is for sale. I know with my wife she would say well if you have the $$ then stop. Guess that is why when a friend asked how many tractors I had today we counted them and came up with 31 all be it not all of them are whole machines
 

Old, I get the same response: "if you have the money you can buy whatever you want".... I never have the money. Except one time they paid bonuses at work and I bought an 8N at a sale, wasn't a big bonus!
 

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