TO20 and the to30 compared to ford n series

What are the differences in Ferguson TO tractor's and the ford n series?

They look very similar

The short answer is the engine. The ford 9n and 2n share the same three point hitch components as the TO?s. The 8n has Fords three point hitch system that breached the agreement between Harry Ferguson and Henry Ford. That?s a story by itself. The fords have a four cylinder flat head motor and the Ferguson?s have Continental Z series engines rated slightly higher horsepower than the Ford engine.

There is an issue with the TO30 engines, if the coolant has not been properly cared for there is a chance of the block developing cracked between the cylinders. Which usually is repairable, I have had four blocks repaired and they all work great.

Ferguson pretty much copied the Ford 9N design, had a set of Ford 9N blueprints to work to, and even most part numbers are the same as the Ford. When Ferguson and Ford shook hands in November, 1938, the very next day Ford engineers were busy designing the new 9N. Ferguson wanted the tractor to have an overhead valve engine as well as 4-speed transmission, but the Ford Engineering Team vetoed these and ended up with a 3-speed tranny and a flat head 4-cylinder engine. The 3-pt hydraulics are pretty much the same. The Ford 4-speed transmission wasn't introduced until July, 1947 when the 8N Ford Model was released. By then Ferguson was competing with Ford with his TE-20 and TO-20 models. The OHV engine was a much better motor and the extra 4th gear was a big plus as farmers wanted a faster highway speed to get to and from their fields. The Ford team would have had a much better tractor with an OHV engine and 4-speed tranny. The major issue with Ferguson Continental engine was they were prone to cracked blocks, mainly around the cylinder walls. Basically HP is the same and both are great strong work horses.

Tim *PloughNman* Daley(MI)

A have a neighbor with an 8n who watched my TO30 chew through some mowing that his would struggle with. More power with The Continental engine. But as others have stated, prone to developing cracks. My TO30 has no cracks, but I have a 35 with 4 cracks. It's been welded and is working fine.

Tom h. you've had four blocks repaired? Care to elaborate? welded? silicon weld? brazed? JB weld? Bondo? duct tape? I'd like to hear more as this is a looming concern for me. TO-30 with Z129 engine soooo.....

Thanxs,
JD