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TO-20 vs 8N

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Tim D.

03-13-2001 05:31:42




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I have never owned or operated a tractor, but recently bought 17 acres and am looking for a tractor to blade, plow snow, and brush hog. An 8n was first recommended but I recently have heard about the TO-20. What are the practical positive/negatives between the two (reliability, performance, maintenance, part price/availability, tractor price, etc.)? Any comments greatly appreciated. Thank You




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John

03-16-2001 11:51:06




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 Re: TO-20 vs 8N in reply to Tim D., 03-13-2001 05:31:42  
I was also wondering if I should get a TO-20 or an 8N. I was told the Freguson TO-20 had problems with the block cracking between the cylinders. After they crack antifreeze will get in the oil. Parts are more available for the Ford tractors. I ended up getting a 1947 2n with a Sherman transmission. I put a Zane Thang on it and now I feel I have the best of both worlds.



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Craig

03-14-2001 02:58:11




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 Re: TO-20 vs 8N in reply to Tim D., 03-13-2001 05:31:42  
Tim - I owned a 9n and a To-20. I liked the Ferguson better and sold the 9n. The Ferguson is a great little tractor but you might want to think about moving up to a tractor with live PTO. The M/F 135 is a great tractor and can be found usually for a good price. Good luck!



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Duner Wi

03-13-2001 18:03:13




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 Re: TO-20 vs 8N in reply to Tim D., 03-13-2001 05:31:42  
I have a TO 20 and a 9N for close to 30 years. I use the TO20 more often than the 9N. I just like it better to drive and is easier to start at - 20 below zero. Fords are more popular and bring a little higher price but I prefer the Ferguson.



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J. Shaffer

03-13-2001 16:54:45




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 Re: TO-20 vs 8N in reply to Tim D., 03-13-2001 05:31:42  
I have owned a TO-20 for the last 5 years. I live in upper Michigan, gets cold. That tractor ALWAYS starts at 10 degrees, even after standing for a month. And 6 volt to boot. Ya gotta love it! My father in-law is always complaining about his 8N not starting, but that might just be his particular one.

One caution regardless of which tractor you choose... if ya really need a "live PTO", go buy a new Massey... that is if you have about $20,000.

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Peter

03-13-2001 15:33:46




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 Re: TO-20 vs 8N in reply to Tim D., 03-13-2001 05:31:42  
I have owned a Ferguson TEA20 for a few years and I think it is a great tractor. I have a bigger tractor too, a David Brown 990 for jobs that need more power but I use my Ferguson the most. I would recommend Ferguson as I am very happy with my tractor. My Massey Ferguson dealer has lots of parts still in stock too so I have never had problems if a part needs to be replaced.



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Fred OH

03-13-2001 08:56:15




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 Re: TO-20 vs 8N in reply to Tim D., 03-13-2001 05:31:42  
Tim, My opinion is that Harry Ferguson spent a lot of his time in the tractor shop while Henry Ford spent his time in the office looking at the bottom line. The only thing that Henry did that I can see is to control the length of the Ford/Fergusons so that he could get so many of them on a railroad flatcar. When Harry started building tractors, after the splitup between Ford and Ferguson, he immediately went to the overhead valve engine. More efficient, more powerful and put in a four speed transmission, a hood that raised up to service the engine, a seat that folded over to keep the dew off your butt, regulated electrical system and just generally a better tractor. The TE-20 and the TO-20 were around 20 hp and the TO-30 was around 30 hp. Parts are available here on the web and tractor dealerships and used parts are available at the various tractor junkyards for the parts that are no longer manufactured, same as the Fords. There are not too many uh-ohs in either of these old tractors as they were both over engineered. (Built heavier than needed). If not, you rebuild them till they are correct. After 50 or 60 years, theres a good chance that they can be worn pretty good in certain places. The idea in buying one is to try to decide on the one that you think is in the best shape for the money involved. Sometimes it's strictly luck that you find one that hasn't been doctored up just to pass along to an unwary buyer. A good mechanic friend is good when buying, as is usually buying one from a person that bought it new and is selling his/her equipment. I have personally run them both and prefer the Ferguson over the Ford for the reasons mentioned above and the fact that Harry Ferguson was a mechanical genius. L8R----Fred OH

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bob pa.

03-13-2001 20:09:19




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 Re: Re: TO-20 vs 8N in reply to Fred OH, 03-13-2001 08:56:15  
i agree with fred totaly.harry ferguson was a geneus .in 1948 when the to20 first came out i was working for a 8n dealer .the to20 s went out on the farms and out did our 8ns . with it low rpm torque . and all the other things fred mentiond



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bill

03-13-2001 10:12:59




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 Re: Re: TO-20 vs 8N in reply to Fred OH, 03-13-2001 08:56:15  
well said fred ferge all the way



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Henry

03-13-2001 10:40:43




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 Re: Re: Re: TO-20 vs 8N in reply to bill, 03-13-2001 10:12:59  
Iam with Fred, the fergie has far more charachter and would be my choise every time.



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Henry

03-13-2001 10:39:49




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 Re: Re: Re: TO-20 vs 8N in reply to bill, 03-13-2001 10:12:59  
Iam with Fred, the fergie has far more charachter and would be my choise every time.



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bill

03-13-2001 10:12:58




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 Re: Re: TO-20 vs 8N in reply to Fred OH, 03-13-2001 08:56:15  
well said fred ferge all the way



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bill

03-13-2001 10:12:56




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 Re: Re: TO-20 vs 8N in reply to Fred OH, 03-13-2001 08:56:15  
well said fred ferge all the way



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