Upgrade from my Ford 2N, to what?

nanate25 · Jun 1, 2023

Hello all. I wanting to upgrade from my old 2N and not sure what I should go for. The old 2N has been really good, especially having barely $1K invested in it, but it also works me real hard on some jobs. Stopping and shifting to neutral and back just to lift an implement get tiring.

I know a tractor with 2 stage clutch could help a bunch but what old tractors have independent lift & 2 stage clutch? I guess that s what it would be called. I was thinking some had the lift pump that was driven directly from the engine and the PTO ran off the trans with a 2 stage clutch. I m hoping to stay with something old like the Ford or MF. But I don t know if any of them have the independent lift. Any input would be appreciated.

wjytexas · Jun 1, 2023

MF 35 or 50 would be a step up. Reliable and parts available. 2 stage clutch, engine and ground PTO, and 3 spd. with Hi/Lo. I have both a Ford NAA and a MF 50 and for work I'll always pick the 50.

Timmycornpicker · Jun 1, 2023

Even consider an MF65. 50 HP, live hydraulics with position control, two stage clutch, power steering. Still very maneuverable like an N. If you go that route, in my opinion, look for one with a 6-speed hi-lo transmission and avoid the multi-power transmission.

nanate25 · Jun 1, 2023

I do want to keep it as small as I can like the N series and MF35. I have been on an MF50 before but not a 65. They look like they are about the same size. The lift position control would be really nice too. I have to use chains on the 2N. That would speed up a lot of the cutting when I need to adjust height on the fly.
Power steering? Now that's just getting fancy right there.

wore out · Jun 1, 2023

As long as you are updating, look for something with an independent/live PTO.

That is as much as a leap forward from a 2-stage clutch as a 2-stage clutch is from the ''N Ford'' system.

nanate25 · Jun 1, 2023

What old tractors have that? I'm trying to keep cost down too.

Leroy · Jun 1, 2023

I had that independent/live PTO on a Ford and I HATED IT. To me that was a
step back, not forward. Tried using it one time and went back to tractor
without any thing except tranny driven and with NO POWER steering.

nanate25 · Jun 1, 2023

Does independent live PTO mean that the PTO will keep going even when you clutch it? If that is the case I don't think I would like that.

wjytexas · Jun 1, 2023

I've got one of them too but it is larger than a 9N. Heck of a tractor though.

paul · Jun 1, 2023

Many tractors designed about 1955 or newer had the option of live pto and most had live hyd by then.

Oliver, ihc, Ford.

Not every tractor, but many.

A very familiar tractor for you would be a Ford 860. That 6 in the middle is important. It has live 2 stage pto, live
hydraulics, 5 speed tran. And the Ford 861 basically newer but almost the same.

An 840 has the 4 speed and does not have live pto!

Paul

nanate25 · Jun 1, 2023

Anyone familiar with the MF135 system? I'm pretty sure it has a 2 stage clutch but that's about all I know. I've seen some of the Ford 600 & 800 series here and there too so I'll have to look into some of them. Y'all give me a good idea of which ones to look forward to or not. I appreciate the feedback.

Timmycornpicker · Jun 1, 2023

I should clarify the 65 utility model, not the row-crop version.

fdt860 · Jun 1, 2023

Ford 2000 or 3000 would be a god tractor

NDIHC · Jun 1, 2023

I can't imagine not wanting a live pto.
Running my Mohawk rotary mower with a
Farmall M, no live pto, every time you push
in the clutch to change gears you have to
wait until the mower stops spinning before
you can grab a gear and go again. Give me
live, independent pto any day! Also, sickle
mower quits when you step on the clutch so
you can stop and raise up the bar if some
weeds get tangled. With live power I can
usually just stop, raise the bar and it
will clear the snag by itself with the
sickle running.

cdmn · Jun 1, 2023

You might have to check out an Allis Chalmers. They had a foot clutch that stopped everything, but also
a hand clutch that stopped only the wheel drive. Perhaps a D15 with power director? My dad's 44 Massey Special
did the same, but don't know how small a Massey would have it.

grandpa Love · Jun 1, 2023

Get a Ford 860,861 or 960 ,961...... I
love my 900 series fords

Push the clutch half way and tractor
stops pulling, all the way down and pto
stops.

ray hofstetter · Jun 1, 2023

I have a 1957 Ford 860, great tractor

rrlund · Jun 1, 2023

Let me tell you why you'd like an independent PTO on an Oliver Super 55 or 550 better than a two stage clutch. If
you're on a long headland or something and want to stop the PTO, then restart it when you pull back in, with two
stage you have to stop the tractor and reengage the gears that run the PTO, and it would probably be best if you
stopped to disengage it instead of just forcing the lever to disengage it.

With the Oliver, the independent PTO has a hand clutch lever right next to the three point lever. The later 500s
had them on the side of the dash. You can disengage and reengage it smoothly on the go. Once you used it, you'd
never go back. I dare say it's been a long time since anybody made a tractor with a two stage. That fact should
tell you which is the best.

ptfarmer · Jun 1, 2023

(quoted from post at 14:40:35 06/01/23) Anyone familiar with the MF135 system? I'm pretty sure it has a 2 stage clutch but that's about all I know. I've seen some of the Ford 600 & 800 series here and there too so I'll have to look into some of them. Y'all give me a good idea of which ones to look forward to or not. I appreciate the feedback.

Most of the 135's have the 2 stage clutch, you really can't go wrong with a 35, 135, or even the small MF200 series with the 3 cylinder perkins diesel. Parts are cheap, readily available, and they are simple to work on.

nanate25 · Jun 1, 2023

Well, that gives me a lot to think about. I can see the live PTO advantages now. I think I need to look around for some of these tractors mentioned and test drive some. All I use is a bush hog, disk and a box blade. Now I have some models to search for and price shop. Thanks y all for all the feedback. And thanks for showing off them good looken Fords! Those are nice!

Upgrade from my Ford 2N, to what?

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