front end loader/bucket attachment for 8n Ford

clark owen · Jul 27, 2020

I recently acquired an old Ford 8n but all we have is the bush hog attachment. I can find box blades here in the Ft Worth Texas area, but I need to know how many front end bucket/loaders will fit it. Can anyone tell me what I'm looking for, please?
Clark Owen

old · Jul 27, 2020

A loader and an 8N do not mix well. Yes they make them but a loader also make them VERY hard to steer. One model that fits is the Dearborn 1971. I have one on a late 1950 8N but it also has a Scout backhoe on its but

Tony in SD · Jul 27, 2020

I agree. There are much better tractors to put a loader on.

gene bender · Jul 28, 2020

Before you get any further take some time and make sure the front spindles are greased good with
grease coming out the top and bottom many were neglected and need grease bad you will not believe how
much easier the steering is when well greased

caterpillar guy · Jul 28, 2020

Like said loaders don't do well for N series tractors. Look at other tractors for loader tractors. You will want/need power steering and live hydraulics for loaders to be successful. You don't want to be always putting the PTO in and out of gear all the time. And the loader to stop when you push the clutch pedal. Your call. I would skip an N series for just about anything except a putter tractor for looking things over around the place.

Traditional Farmer · Jul 28, 2020

Can you think of a worse on?

4wdtom · Jul 28, 2020

Agree with with what others have said. If you do go and put a loader on it get one of the light "pipe" frame ones with a narrow bucket, not tractor width. And then
only use it for small buckets of heavy stuff. Best suited for snow, sawdust, light manure, etc. The front ends on these tractors aren't made for all the weight a loader
puts on it.

tomNE · Jul 28, 2020

the loaders are basically worthless. I really can't think of anything good about those tractors. get a 4630 with a 3cyl diesel and then you'll have a base to
start with! live pto, good hydraulics, power steering and on and on and on!

BarnyardEngineering · Jul 28, 2020

You are looking for a loader that was removed from an 8N Ford. Otherwise you will be heavily modifying whatever you buy.

Loaders for an 8N are heavy and difficult to install and remove. It is not something you will be able to put on and take off in minutes like a modern quick attach loader.

This is not to discourage you but to give you a realistic idea of what to expect.

coshoo · Jul 28, 2020

We had a loader with front pump, and while it wasn't the greatest, it did make the tractor a lot more useful.

I take issue with those saying the N Fords weren't good for anything. They were great for going to get the mail. If you didn't have too much mail.

DeltaSteve · Jul 28, 2020

Back in the day,an N was about the only option for a loader. As worthless as they were,they were
still better than a pitchfork or shovel.Buy a newer tractor with power steering and live hydralics
with the loader already mounted.An 'N' with a loader is like a 'hog on ice' that you cant steer.I
once bought an N pipe frame loader for ten dollars. Thought I could flip it and make some money. At
the next consignment auction,it brought one dollar.

sotxbill · Jul 28, 2020

in addition to what others have said... also install the longest, heaviest shredder or rear implement to off set the weight of the loader. Other than being longer and harder to turn in tight quarters like corrals due to the long tail, the implement makes it easier to steer by transferring weight off the front end. We had a 5 foot shredder with very heavy plate on it that made the 8n tolerable. But you could only turn it while it was rolling... used it for years in the old days.

ss55 · Jul 28, 2020

Fifty, sixty years ago many local livestock farmers would try using an N series Ford with a trip bucket front end loader, then about a year later trade it in for a newer, larger utility tractor and a full hydraulic loader. Power steering, live hydraulics, live PTO, quick attach loader are all nice to have if not essential. It is usually cheaper to buy a tractor with a loader already on it, than to buy a loader separately.

Duner Wi · Jul 28, 2020

Any loader that fits 9n,2n,8n Ford and Ferguson TO20, TO30 should fit. There are more models of tractors that will fit also. Live pump and rear ballast would be nice.

jimtrs · Jul 28, 2020

(quoted from post at 23:16:18 07/27/20) I recently acquired an old Ford 8n but all we have is the bush hog attachment. I can find box blades here in the Ft Worth Texas area, but I need to know how many front end bucket/loaders will fit it. Can anyone tell me what I'm looking for, please?
Clark Owen

Everything said above is true. With that being said, many many old N tractors had / have loaders on them. Just don't expect too much. Wagner loaders were a popular choice. Most are the "crawl over" type. Try to avoid a "trip" bucket. Find one with a hydraulic cylinder on the bucket.

Got too many old Fords to count, but my oldest (to me) has had a Wagner WM4 on it the last 30 years I've owned it. Still sees some use. Not like early days though. Have more modern stuff that works better.

There are "step through" loaders that will fit, Wagner and others. More convenient, but doesn't leave for much room.

Get one with it's own front mount hydraulic pump. The old N's hydraulic pump doesn't work well for a loader (inconvenient, slow, gravity down, etc).

Make sure you get all the components when you find one. Components often missing are front hanging bracket, hydraulic pump, stinger shaft. A crawl over type loader for the N's, missing any components is worth about $0. Don't over pay. A crawl over with everything, should be had for a few hundred dollars. A step through, complete, a couple hundered more.

Ultradog MN · Jul 28, 2020

The Ford Ns are handy, nimble little
tractors and will still do a lot of
useful work for you. But I would not put
a loader on one. A loader will make a
behemoth out of it.
Heavy, long, clumsy because of the hard
steering.
Buy a 3 point back blade, boom pole and a
rear scoop. Those will accomplish most of
the tasks a loader will do.

Wheat47 · Jul 28, 2020

Used to mount Du-al #100 loaders on many Ford tractors. A very nice size for them.
I don't know if Du-al is still in business or not.

docmirror · Jul 28, 2020

I had a Wagner on my 8N for more than 2 years. It worked, barely. With any kind of load in the bucket, it was ungainly, and would wobble and bounce even on modestly smooth surface. The steering was execrable, and will wear out your steering box quickly.

Switched to an 860 with PS, and life is good again. If you have to use an 8N, and you have to have a loader, spend the big money and buy the aftermarket dual piston power steering option for the 8N. By the time you buy it, install it, and then mount the loader, you'd be better off with a 641, or 800 series with PS already done.

front end loader/bucket attachment for 8n Ford

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