Weather to buy this Tractor or not?

I live in Central Minnesota and I am thinking about buying a tractor so that I can plant some food plots, work my garden, plant trees, and remove snow.
There is an 8N for sale not to far from my place. I can't tell the year of the tractor it is for sale on consignment, the gentle man that is selling it said that it started when it was pulled off the trailer this fall. This person also recommended rebuilding the carburetor.
The tires are weathered and will need to be replaced and that looks to be about an $800 or more. I did not look at the rims and only discovered the importance of this as I read past articles in your forum (very helpful).
I would like to have a compression test done before I buy the tractor. The sale does not include any implements.
While I would not consider myself a mechanic I am willing to do some work on the tractor. My fear is that I will be buying a money pit.
I looked at your suggested price list and that was helpful. The price for the tractor seems to be in the $1500 range.
Looking for some advice, please respond.
Thank You
 

Unless you enjoy mechanic work don't buy any tractor that is not in great running condition .
These N's are fun tractors if you buy them cheap and do some work or buy an expensive one that someone else has fixed up .
Most for sale are tired and will probably need work with in a year or two , just my opinion .
 
A couple things that may help you figure it out for sure since many sellers have no clue as to what they have. 8N has a 4 speed transmission. The 9N and 2N have 3 speed transmissions. The early 8N has a front mount distributor from 1948 to early 1950. Then is April or May of 1950 the 8N had the side mount distributor and was made till 1952. If not running if you do not know engines and tractor it would be best to look more unless you can find some one in your area like me or some of the other guys on here
 
If you know a good DIY mechanic,print out Bruce's
75 tips,try to at least get it to turn over. With a
timing light,you can check for spark[if it's
6v,you'll need a 12v source]. A compression check
would be helpful.An 8n,9n or 2n that runs fairly
well will plow,disc and make a great garden.
 
(quoted from post at 14:09:01 02/28/15) I live in Central Minnesota and I am thinking about buying a tractor so that I can plant some food plots, work my garden, plant trees, and remove snow.
There is an 8N for sale not to far from my place. I can't tell the year of the tractor it is for sale on consignment, the gentle man that is selling it said that it started when it was pulled off the trailer this fall. This person also recommended rebuilding the carburetor.
The tires are weathered and will need to be replaced and that looks to be about an $800 or more. I did not look at the rims and only discovered the importance of this as I read past articles in your forum (very helpful).
I would like to have a compression test done before I buy the tractor. The sale does not include any implements.
While I would not consider myself a mechanic I am willing to do some work on the tractor. My fear is that I will be buying a money pit.
I looked at your suggested price list and that was helpful. The price for the tractor seems to be in the $1500 range.
Looking for some advice, please respond.
Thank You

I'm over by Battle Lake MN. Here if it starts and runs it's worth at least 800-900 dollars. But we have a lot of lake shore owners that think having one is a great idea so it keeps the prices up.

Needing tire and a carb rebuild I wouldn't go over 1K. I paid 1500 for my last one and drove it home. Now 2 years later I'm getting ready to do the first repair, got a wheel bearing going bad.

Rick
 
Where in central MN?
I just got home from Aitkin a couple of hours ago.
Skip the Ns.
Hold out for a Hundred or Thousand Series Ford.
They will have more features and are all around better tractors.
Yes they will cost more but they are worth it.
 
my advice? Ignore anything older than late 1954. Get a 00+
unit. 55-75. The 3 cyl 2000/3000 are not much bigger than the
4 cyl 55-64 jobs. Personally if pre 65 I'd get gas, and post 64,
get a diesel. ..
 
That tractor will do every thing you want it to do. If the tires on it
will last for a while you can watch for some used ones. I've bought a
couple of sets of rears mounted up that look new for $400 for the
pair. Others that are not great but will last for years yet for $200 for
the pair.
 
I'm with the camp that says if you are willing to spend
about 1500+, hold out for at least Hundred series or even a NAA.
In my area Fords are high and for some crazy reason, all N's are just silly high.
(I buy NAA's for less than N's here ?!?!)
But, even in this area, 1500 for a N that doesn't run and needs
rear tires is too much.
There are no 'scrap price' Fords here.
The one you describe.....800-1000.
 
You shouldn't buy it unless it runs. If it starts and runs you can check out the brakes, transmission, and the hydraulic lift. Otherwise you are really buying a parts tractor and $1500.00 is way too high for that.

An 8N with a side mount distributor is easier to work on than a front mount. Others have advised that $1500.00 is too high no matter what but for a good runner with a good hydraulic lift I think that's ok. The 8n will probably do everything that you need it to and at that price you won't get hurt if you decide to sell it down the road.

Checked tires can run a long time depending on what you want to do with it.

These are easy to work on and parts are readily available. If you need help identifying the year John Smith has great information that will teach you what you need to know.

Good luck with your search.
 

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