upgrade opinions

I am contemplating an upgrade from my 8N. Is a jubilee much of an upgrade as far as moldboard plowing is concerned? I am considering that or a MF 135 which I know is a lot more powerful and modern, but is 50% more money. Mainly will be used to work a 10 acre garden. It just takes too long with the 8N, and it seems to be getting tired. Of course the less expensive one sits better with the wife.

if you want to jump to something like a 3-12 or 14 then go to soemthing with a 172ci engine if you want to stay int he 50's era.. IE. a 8XX or 9XX or 4000 4 cyl.

soil will always be a major factror. Virgin packed dense soil and a plow becomes an anchor.

The Jube has the 134 "Red Tiger" valve-in-head engine
and live hydraulics.
Both are a big step up from an 8N for many tasks including plowing.
About 5HP more than the 8N and 2HP shy of the MF 135 IIRC.
I have not used a 135, but my Jubilee does quite a bit better
at plowing than my 8N. It seems to have more lugging power.
Maybe someone with MF experience can shed more light.

Edit - Keep in mind, the Jubilee was only made for two years
and is a "one of a kind" type of beast. The 640 is the same 134
engine, but hydraulics, trans, rear end all different. Aftermarket
parts are readily available for the Jubilee, tune-up, gas tanks,
hitch parts, etc. but used parts may be more difficult to locate.

By all means upgrade if you can afford it.
You will not regret it.
A newer tractor will have more HP, have more features and do more work.
A 135 would be a great tractor to own.
Jubilees, though they are far ahead of an N I would skip them. Partly because they cost more because of the cool factor and also because parts for the transmission and rear end are harder to find, rear axles are not as strong as later models and the hydraulic systems are not as modern.
A 600, 601, 800, 801 would all be significant upgrades from a Jube.
And don't despise the Blue Fords. the 4 cylinder 2000 and 4000 which were basically upgraded 601s and 801s were great tractors.
And the 3 cylinder Fords - 2000 (again), 3000 and 4000 (again) were the next generation and some of the best tractors ever built by any brand or color.
Don't get me wrong. The Ns were great tractors. They were serious contenders in a highly competitive market. More Ns were built than any other tractor. Ever!
But they were the first tractors Ford built (not counting the early Fordsons)and by no means the best.
Think about it; a tractor with live hydraulics, live pto, differential lock, remote hydraulics, power steering, more gears, more HP, more reliability and longevity, gas or a totally reliable, fuel sipping diesel, all on a platform just a little larger than an N. One that will use all your existing Cat I implements, be familiar to an N owner, has excellent new and used parts availability and be as much fun to own.

Remember these old tractors are around 50-60 years old. A lot of water has run under the bridge since they were built.

One of the best cultivator tractors was a c farmall with front cultivators, if you can afford a separate tractor just for pulling and cultivation.

The 135 Ferguson, 3000 Ford and the small Case are good choices. Repair and parts is always an issue, what equipment dealers do you have around your area?

I have an old 1957, TO 35 ferguson, great little tractor, but it's getting up there in years, so far so good but, who knows each time I use it may be the last as with any tractor of that age.

You do want live pto, no matter the brand you buy.

Good hunting!!!!

8N's are fun, cute little machines,
but climb on a NAA/Jubilee and later, and as far as ANY work, conveniences go, the N will sit.

I will always own some NAA/Jubilees because I like them and they are cheap, but like mentioned they have their quirks.
(2 year only hydraulics, external lines, 8n style rear hubs)
not a big deal but if you don't work on a lot of stuff and have spare parts...........
Buying a NAA, hydraulics have to work well AND be setup like you need. Adding remotes, etc will get very expensive.

600-800 tractors are more refined but cost more here.
and a 600 and a NAA with the same transmission is exactly the same tractor when you are sitting in the seat working it.

ah, now the hard part of your question.
opinion...a MF135 is a better, heavier duty built tractor, and has more
options built in.
And if the 135 has the diesel engine, there is no comparison at all to a Jubilee.
You would have to go to a much later Blue Ford to match a diesel 135.(the later Blue Fords as described by UltraDog)
So, it's a money thing...
good Jubilee for $1500 versus a $3000 diesel powered MF135
and that 135 would be on my trailer as fast as I could get there.
very, very nice Jubilee for $2500 vs a $5000 diesel MF135(a more realistic MF price)
is a tougher decision.....which only you can make.

I wish the prices you describe were in line with what they are here. Jubilees around here seem to be priced around 3 grand or more. There is one available for around 2400. the mf is gas but has power steering and a back blade which I do not need and is priced at 3500 which isn't too bad for here either. It isn't an emergency to buy now but the jub seems like a good price and claims really low hours. The 135 has around 4000. both have good tires. About a 2 hour ride to see either one.Don't want to waste a week looking around. I guess I can keep looking but sometimes funds get diverted if you don't act quickly.

As far as I know,the Jubilee was only made in
1953'50 years after the first production model,thus
Jubilee[50 years] the other similar model is a NAA.
lha

You can't get a jubilee here in sw nebraska for less than 3800 4000.

8n's are $2500-3500

hundred series 3000-3400

I have seen good clean stright 8n's out sell hundred series tractors on the same auction.

My 2 cents would be skip over the jube and look for a 650, or 651 which is basically the same tractor as the jube but with a 5 speed tranny. (660 or 661 is even better with Live PTO added but will cost more). 2nd gear on the 5peed is like 1st gear on the 4 speed. Those 4 speeds are simply geared too fast for some tasks.

Jubes sell for a premium simply cause they a jube.

850 or 851 (860, 861 live PTO) would be even more powerful but they do burn quite a bit more fuel too. That said they do represent quite a bit of power in a compact package.

(quoted from post at 09:42:12 10/12/14) As far as I know,the Jubilee was only made in
1953'50 years after the first production model,thus
Jubilee[50 years] the other similar model is a NAA.
lha

Click to expand...

lha, my understanding is the '53 and '54 were both the NAA model.
The '53 was nicknamed "Golden Jubilee" in honor of the 50th anniversary.
Same tractor otherwise. I have one of each. Don't see any difference.
Unless you count the nose badge.