value of 8n/9n tractors

pinball

Well-known Member
I remember back about 10 years ago I was thinking about buying an 8n. I had a 960 that I liked. Seemed as those the prices were around 3000 or so and could actually buy a 900 ford cheaper. just never could justify paying that much for one. now it seems the prices around here are around 1500 or so even some down around 600. I did buy one for 500. didn't run but was a nice tractor. didn't take much to fix it but after running my 960 there was no comparison. my question is how are the prices in other parts of the country. I live in central Missouri. my experience with the 8ns were a great learning curve. re-alize now I wont buy another though.
 
9 years ago I bought my first 8n, new paint and tires for 2500 which was pretty standard price. This last summer I bought this one for 1100. Paint isn't as nice but mechanically in better shape and has a Sherman.
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Every couple of years Ford updated some part of their tractors because they sorely needed it. Your 900 has several years of improvements in it. Of coarse the improvements got out of hand later, that's why we like older tractors. 8n's around here set on a $1800 price for 30 years if running and in working order but there was always somebody that would paint over dirt and grease and get $2500??
 
I live in New Hampshire, prices are all over the map for N tractors. Some people think a paint job suddenly makes them worth $5000 and others can be found in decent running condition for $1000 to $1500.

There's no comparison between an N and a 960. I've been looking for an 860, they don't come up for sale that much around here. I missed out on one last summer, asking price was $2000. If I find an 860 or an 850 I'd still keep my 9N, they're great light duty tractors for the money.
 
From the time they came out to the present the Ns have always been entry level tractors.
They had a lot of flaws. The early ones had goofy brake pedals, no drawbar (imagine that) and up till 1950 they all had that despicable front mount distributor.
Some of those flaws were corrected but the 8Ns still had the worst reverse speed ever put in a tractor and none of the small Fords - all the way into the 1980s - had decent brakes.
What the Ns did have going for them was the 3 point hitch. The 3 point made them useful beyond any comparably powered tractor and that usefulness continues today.
Around here N values peaked about 10 years ago.
What was a $2500 tractor then is an $1800 tractor today.
Not only have Ns declined in value but all old tractors have declined.
Compare the value of a decent Farmall H, Allis WD, JD B, or Case DC and the Ns have held their value pretty well.
But Ns are still flawed, entry level tractors and always will be.
A lot of folks here think I'm just an N basher because I'm willing to point out what I think is the short sightedness of buying an N for $2000 when you can buy a 600 for $2800.
But, it's not my money after all.
You can bring a fish to water but you can't make them eat hay - or however that saying goes.
 
I've had my 8N for 30+ years and I will keep it as long as I can. That said I also have a 2600 diesel so I know the difference between an N series and a later more powerful tractor.
Yesterday ate an automotive swap meet someone had a 51 8N in pretty good condition without a Sherman and with good tires. They were asking $2500 but I am sure it could have been bought for less with cash. Under 2k is usual price for a good N series. Under 1k for a rough one.
 
Prices for almost all (of course, there are exceptions) antique tractors have plummeted over the past 10-12 years and will not come back.

I sold a 51 8N with Sherman combination last summer for $2,500 but it was an exception. I have a 52 with Sherman that I would not sell for $3,500 but it is even more of an exception.

Most people are very happy to get $1,500 for an 8N and $1,000 for a 9/2N in my area.

Dean
 
$800 to $1000 here is absolute top price for 1 if it runs. Not running decent tires. $2-500 tops. Which is where the majority of them sell.
 
Just did a CL search around the DFW area. for a running 8N, prices run from 850 - 2600. Seems the average for a running, driving 8N are just around $1800. Parts or non-runners are well below $1000. 9N seems about the same. However, interesting to note that there were several 9N restored, or at least fresh paint which were asking over $3000.
 
Yes I felt at the time I did get a good deal on mine and for the most part still do. With in two weeks of my purchase there was a 2N for sale with Sherman, good tires for $1150 and shortly after that a Jubilee with a combo unit for 1500, that one didnt last long.
 

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