Bought my first 8N about 18 months ago. Then, as I posted here about three months ago, the 8N came up for sale that my uncle owned and just before he passed away, sold to my dad. Dad sold it about ten years ago without telling me. I had been in silent mourning ever since. This time it was very overpriced, had loads of surface rust, and hydraulic fluid almost running out of one rear axle seal. It was take it or leave it. I bit the bullet and took it, overpriced and all.This week, our little local classified weekly came and for $2000, had an 8N, brushhog (fair condition), moleboard plow (Ferguson), ajustable/reversable grader blade and post hole digger, all in very nice condition. Everything had been shedded. I knew of the elderly gentleman who was selling. Immediately, I thought I could keep the implements and resell the tractor possibly for a bit of profit and in effect reduce the overprice I paid for my Dad and Uncles 8N. When I got there, he was selling due to declining health. It was a 48 model and he had owned it since the 1950's. They were selling out and moving to be close to one of their children. I couldn't hardly stand the thought of breaking up his set. I don't think he would have sold if he could have still used his tractor, yet he seemed to be pleased that I wanted to buy it. I did... As is usual with the earlier models, the axle seals were bad, and the tractor had zero brakes. Other than that, there was a bit of rust through where the hood meets the doglegs. It was still 6 volt and started at a touch. The hydraulics were much better than either of my other 2 8N's (took about 5 minutes to leak down with the engine off), lifted like a dream, even after mowing for 20-30 minutes. I hoped to get a shop built this month, and I would like to keep it for a 3rd restoration project (I have 3 sons!), but it is not financially practical at the moment. Told dad about my find. He wanted to come look. He decided he needed another tractor and told me he wanted it and the brushhog. So much for the original $ plans, but he is happy, I still more than broke even, and in effect the the elderly gentleman's equipment set was not broken up, so I am happy also. QUESTION: Since dad is only interested in having a work tractor, I may try to trade out with him in order to cut the cost a bit and maintain more originality restoring the N he and his brother owned years ago. Will the grill from 48 and 50 models interchange?
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