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Ford 9N, 2N & 8N Discussion Forum
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Why do people run down N Fords?

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Steve W (NY)

02-24-2004 07:26:03




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I was having a burger at a Fridays in Florida. Got talking to a guy on the bar stool next to me. Talking farming, and stuff. Subject of tractors came up. Clearly a Farmall guy, he claimed a 8N couldn't pull a 2 bottom plow, no way, no how. Amazing. Even after I told him my 2N will pull 2 12's all day long in rocky soil, he insited the plow tips must only be in the ground an inch or two.

I asked him where he got his information, and he was uncomfortable with that question and changed the subject. Otherwise he seemed like a nice guy. Is it because they are to cute? Too small...just jealousy over poularity? I see this attitude all over the place, even on other boards. Me, I love all tractors.

What's the deal?

Take Care,
Steve

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Rich,NJ

02-25-2004 07:23:48




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 Re: Why do people run down N Fords? in reply to Steve W (NY), 02-24-2004 07:26:03  
For a variety of reasons, Maybe they're old enough to remember and didn't like Henry Ford! Or maybe, Like my father's cousin, a Fordson caught fire and burned up the fields. He was running a hay bine that day and dust collected on the exhuast pipe. He bought a 1936 John Deere mod B to replace it. He had the JD for fifty years till he quit farming. Ole Les wasn't much for maintenance but it was only over hauled once. He added a JD mod 60 in 51 or 52 to drive the combine. When I asked him about 3pt hitches he said it was just propaganda. In addition to his own place, he rented and farmed three other farms during the war. lotta equipment to drag around. Maybe people like the nimble qualities of a smaller machine. It doesn't matter too much which color they are, or which letter of the alphabet. Red,green, or orange, A, B, or C or whatever.They seem to be inspired by a goat rather than an OX. This year I unintentionally started a foodfight when I posted that I liked my 1938 Allis Chalmers B better in the snow than my 52 8N. I was comparing apples and oranges and I knew it . I confess I've never tried to plow with the 8n
think I'd rather use my old H with my 16"2 bottom plow,(JD, not Intl) taking a 32" swath across the field than the 8N's 14" X 2 bottoms, for 28". However,I may get to use the N for just that this spring. So what are the advantages of a Ford? Longevity for one, These machines are infinitely rebuildable. I will not be surprised if a significant number are running at 100 years old. The oldest(39s) are 65 years old and collectively are still running strong. Versatillately is another. No machine is as versatile as the little Fords. A list of attachments for them is endless. Want to dig? With a loader, an auger, or a backhoe? Want to plow? Snow or dirt? Two bottom or rear blade? Want to cut the grass? Will you be brush hogging? or finish mowing? Ford didn't invent didn't attachments for one machine, But he made it alot easier to change with out a lot of modification. Regards, Rich

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Fast Ed Ohio

02-24-2004 23:18:30




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 Re: Why do people run down N Fords? in reply to Steve W (NY), 02-24-2004 07:26:03  
I had a friend put upa fence for me, he saw the 8n out there and said I used to have one of those, I asked him why he sold it, he said he got tired of working on it, thats kinda like I feel after 13 years of very light use .



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Ohiosteve

02-24-2004 17:29:09




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 Re: Why do people run down N Fords? in reply to Steve W (NY), 02-24-2004 07:26:03  
From my experience it seems that N's are constantly being compared against newer and larger tractors. Since N's are still earning their keep and not trailer queens as are most other tractors of the era. Actually I find it amazing how well they stand up against those newer and larger tractors.



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JohN 50

02-24-2004 17:08:26




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 Re: Why do people run down N Fords? in reply to Steve W (NY), 02-24-2004 07:26:03  
My father-in-law said he never did like the "little Ford" even though he owned one or more. Said reason was he had to overhaul it every other year or so. Now this man farmed a LOT of acres, had them H's and M's and one of them big Ford diesels. Anyway short story long, he finally admitted the biggest problem was he EXPECTED the 8N to "Whether plowing, haying or harvesting it was to keep up. Make every round the other tractors did." He said I just plain over worked it but it worked.

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PloughNman

02-24-2004 16:22:55




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 Re: Why do people run down N Fords? in reply to Steve W (NY), 02-24-2004 07:26:03  
Hey Gang-
Well I am partial because I only have owned a Ford 8N. It is a great little workhorse in my opinion. I plow 12" and 14" two-bottoms, cultivate, plow snow 300' drive, mow ten acres of grass, scoop, disc, lift with boom, grade, etc, etc. The N Series was designed to plow with the newest Ferguson System of 3pt hydraulics. This made skeptics of many people because they up until then were using wheeled implements with levers and chains. Many felt that it was just a pasing fad because surely you couldn't plow without wheels on the plow! The 9N et al has a low center of gravity and the small horsepower at the time was sufficient to plow and disc and cultivate with. Still is. It sounds like Mr. Fridays is a city boy just trying to start an argument. I like all the old tractors. Each had a specific purpose. But, like I said, I am partial to Fords because I was brought up on them on my grandfather's farm. My 02 cents worth.

Tim "PloughNman" Daley

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Steve(OR)

02-24-2004 13:59:55




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 Re: Why do people run down N Fords? in reply to Steve W (NY), 02-24-2004 07:26:03  
Its simply one moron saying "My tribe is better than your tribe". Just like the Ford boy peeing on a Chevy, or the Chevy boy peeing on a Ford, or both peeing on a Dodge. Its just a basic human trait to want to be part of something special. But rather than finding a way to be special most people can only seem to do it by putting down others who are not in their group of choice.

I like my 8N but I'm not pledging any allegiance to some old skinflinty guy that died half a century ago just because he happened to hire some engineers that created a good design for him. Just my opinion.

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PeteNY

02-24-2004 13:48:04




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 Re: Why do people run down N Fords? in reply to Steve W (NY), 02-24-2004 07:26:03  
They put 'em down, but the only "common" (not some limited production high crop, propane, or obscure orchard model that no one realy ever used,) non green tractor that maintains resale value constantly are the N's, so while they are puttin' 'em down outta one side of their mouth, maybe buyin; 'em out the other!
Farmall guys won't like Dave2N's comment, but I have seen it my self...out of about 15 or so tractors in the "2 plow" class one day, the only four that transferred were a Super H, a Super W4, an I 4, and the 2N! ...'course our Super C wasn't there!!!! hehe

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Mike

02-24-2004 13:28:25




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 Re: Why do people run down N Fords? in reply to Steve W (NY), 02-24-2004 07:26:03  
Steve,

Plain old jealousy! And they feel stupid for not having one of their own.

Mike



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Dave 2N

02-24-2004 11:49:22




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 Re: Why do people run down N Fords? in reply to Steve W (NY), 02-24-2004 07:26:03  
My short answers to this are 1)they are trying to start a controversy or 2) they've never had any experinece with an N.
N's are much more tractor than a lot of people give them credit for. And has been mentioned, they were designed FOR plowing so when anyone says they can't plow, they either just don't know or have never used an N to plow. Our club has plow days every spring; we plow some fairly nice corn ground. Most of the guys bring big JD's and pull 3 btm. plows. My N with 2 12's will keep right up with them.
Where the N's tended to separate out from the rest of the pack was when big tractors were needed on hill farms to haul hay wagons and silage. The N's are just too light for this.
And finally, I pull my 2N at club shows where tractors are classed by number of plow bottoms they were designed to pull. That tends to put us against JD B's and Farmall H's. That's some pretty steep competition but there are som Farmall H owners out there who don't like to see me coming with my 2N. I know; some people will dispute this but a lot of you know what I'm talking about.

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souNdguy

02-24-2004 11:32:11




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 Re: Why do people run down N Fords? in reply to Steve W (NY), 02-24-2004 07:26:03  
Probably a couple different angles. For one, ford was a one tractor deal.. up untill hundred series.. other manufacturers had larger and smaller units.. Some probably got a ford, that needed a bigger tractor.. so then their memory was that a ford was underpowered or too small.. ( when they really just needed a bigger tractor )

And 2), ford was an economy tractor...not as many bells / whistles. That turns some people off.

Soundguy

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mike

02-24-2004 11:27:11




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 Re: Why do people run down N Fords? in reply to Steve W (NY), 02-24-2004 07:26:03  
i have an 8n that i use in the log woods... i don`t have it because it is cute, cute don`t pay my bills.. i take alot of flack over it at times..been told it hasn`t got enough power to pull a sick $#@!* off a ()*&^$#$#...but when the day is done we, me and the ford, have finished what we set out to do.. it`s a little mule.. and all you old timers know mule vs horse...



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John IL

02-24-2004 11:03:37




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 Re: Why do people run down N Fords? in reply to Steve W (NY), 02-24-2004 07:26:03  
It may depend on thier perspective. I come from a family a big farmers. By "big" I mean that they run a pretty large farm with some pretty serious equipment. When I bought my '51 8N as a utility tractor, my uncle said that it was neat, but way too little. He uses a JD4020 Diesel as a utility tractor for crying out load! To him, the 8N IS small. The point is, even though some folks think of N's as small and underpowered, they're perfect for what we use them for, a LITTLE bit of everything.

John

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Red Raider

02-24-2004 10:42:26




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 Re: Why do people run down N Fords? in reply to Steve W (NY), 02-24-2004 07:26:03  
Probably because they are unfamiliar with N's, just like anything else, they tend to dislike things unknown to them. The smaller letter series Farmalls and N's fit a certain tasks very well. Properly weighted, the B can pull a two bottom in our country. I own a 9N, 2N, Farmall B, Super C, H, 450, Cub LoBoy, and they all have a place, wouldn't trade them for anything.



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Mark

02-24-2004 10:14:09




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 Re: Why do people run down N Fords? in reply to Steve W (NY), 02-24-2004 07:26:03  
I have a couple of opinions and comments.

Had a B Farmall,,,,first tractor (1978) When was B built, 1950...speak for itself? I was a city transplant and the local country bumpkin said (of me running a 5' rotary mower behind) that's the slowest mower I ever saw.....obvious conclusion, the tractor was lacking any kind of power....probably as a cultivation tractor (with HAND operated implements) it was at home.

Had the TO-20...Fergie's N series. Pulled like a goat, started fast, very very handy around the place.....gave it to son and bought later model Fords....reason....the (blank blank) lift period. [Yes I had an overrun clutch (bought new one) but with it installed, the slack it put in the drive system was very much louder than without it]. So I would try to work without it.

Had I been born to the era and not known the difference there probably wouldn't have been a problem. But my second tractor was an IH 464 with Independent PTO.....spoiled me flat even though I prefered (and bought) Fords with Live PTO's that were satisfactory and no longer have any red in the yard.....except for my NH Swather.

My 2c.

Mark

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Rick H. Ga.

02-24-2004 10:07:10




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 Re: Why do people run down N Fords? in reply to Steve W (NY), 02-24-2004 07:26:03  
I purchased my 49 8N in 1977 after I purchased my property. I paid $1000 for it and, although I initially had to run it with the choke partially closed, I used it to pull trees, bush-hog, landscape, plow with a Ferguson 2-16” moldboard turning plow, plant and cultivate 5 acres of corn, keep my 300 foot driveway in order and drive it down the road on Sunday for pleasure.

It has been one tough and reliable little tractor, not to mention good looking. I still have it and still use it occasionally.

I guess you could say I ‘m an avid fan of the 8N Ford tractor.

Rick H. Ga.

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raytasch--- IGNORANCE

02-24-2004 08:08:49




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 Re: Why do people run down N Fords? in reply to Steve W (NY), 02-24-2004 07:26:03  
Only thing that comes to mind is ignorance and unwilling to learn. Probably the same person who could not get his paper ballot right in 2004.
ray, at home in FL



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Jeb2N

02-24-2004 07:34:23




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 Re: Why do people run down N Fords? in reply to Steve W (NY), 02-24-2004 07:26:03  
Had the same discussion a few days ago on whether or not they could lug a 5 foot bush hog. Tell them that the N's were DESIGNED to pull two bottoms. I never really understood why people like the Cubs so much...I always thought they were just too small. A lot of people find them to be cute, but i guess i never really did. I would put the N on par with a Farmall A or Super A and perhaps a JD B, but the ford is better layed out due to the wide front, low stance, and 3 point hitch. Truly a great machine. I'd still like to have an unstyled B, though!

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Gaspump

02-24-2004 08:19:25




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 Re: Re: Why do people run down N Fords? in reply to Jeb2N, 02-24-2004 07:34:23  
As I grew up we had a 9N, Farmall A, 8N and an NAA, all purchased new. The Farmall A was at very best a one bottom 16" plow and only a one row cultivator. Much less usable HP than any of the Fords. No comparison, N to A, the 8N would perform as well at most any task as either of our neighbors two Farmall H's. I would say not quite as strong as a nearby Deere B, the NAA would outwork the B. As to the guy in Fridays that started this thread he sure wasn't one of the local FL farmers, likely just another transplant or mis-informed talkitive snowbird, folks need to take loose comments with a grain of salt and let your their own knowledge prevail!

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