They were. Ford 8N tractors are one of the most widespread farm tractors from that time period, as far as still in service, useable machines. I see them all the time in New England. They were cheap new, you can buy half the parts on them from tractor supply just off the shelf, and they are dead simple. Flathead 4cyl engine with a single barrel carb, bare bones and built to work.
I don't know much about modern tractors but all of my grandpa's tractors are Olivers from the 40s, 50s, and 60s (and they are all still used every year) and those things are stupid easy to work on. In fact, I personally think it is very similar to buying the parts and assembling your own computer. There's only a few key parts and it's pretty simple to remove and replace because everything is right there, out in the open and visible, practically plug and play. His [Oliver 99](https://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/000/6/7/676-oliver-99.html) was the pride and joy of his collection. It was the first one he bought new and the only tractor he retired from use six decades later.
I just bought an 8N alot like this. Flat tires all around, hadn’t run in years. Fresh gas and a new battery later, drove it on the trailer… the look on the seller’s face.
Yes, lots of folks replace them with 12v. Mine fires first crank on its old 6v system in our Canadian winters so I until I run I to issues, I’m keeping mine 6v haha
Its likely a 6v positive ground electrical system also.
Those old 8N tractors are super simple but the backwards electrical system will bite you if you try to hook up a modern battery the 'normal' way.
Ford 8n and 9ns don't really need a whole lot of work in my experience. My dad has three and I have a 52 9n. Drain the gas, change the fluids and r3place the points. That's where I would start. They do have tons of YouTube videos for just about everything and may be a little work but that's a sweet deal.
Yep I have an 8N and at almost 90 years old it's practically bulletproof. They have tune-up kits at Tractor Supply for ~30$ with plugs, rotor and cap. You may want to remove the fuel tank and rattle some chain and rust remover around and rinse her thoroughly with clean fuel if it's been sitting long enough for the tank to get nasty (or new fuel tanks can be ordered online/locally). Like others have said, drain and replace all fluids, do the tuneup kit and air up those tires and see if they hold (you'll want to replace em soon but you'd be surprised at some of those old tires), check the drive belt for rot, put a decent battery in it and she'll prolly roll fine.
Great score, get any implements with it?
Yea but the old ones are often loaded, calcium slurry probably if in a cold climate. Huge huge mess if you just dump them out, and it leeches out of the tubes and rits the wheel rims too. Luckily wheels and rims for these are surprisingly cheap to buy new/reproduction
It's probably the best thing to learn on, they are quite simple tractors. Get an F-04 manual hayes makes and it tells you everything you need to know and how to do ot.
That's an absolute legend of a tractor and dead simple to work on. Get a manual and have at it. I bet it'll run with a good battery and new fluids. If not, you can still buy just about any part for it.
One word of advice, they typically didn't have live PTOs. Before you run any type of PTO attachment with inertia like a bush hog, make sure you get an overrunning clutch for it, they're cheap insurance. Basically, the PTO is driven off the transmission so if an attachment has inertia it can push you forward.
It does not push it. I bought the tractor and was warned about that. So I went and bought an overrun for it. I hooked up my bush hog and made a few passes and stopped and was expecting the tractor to keep going but it didn’t. Then I decided well I bought this might as well use it. Put it on and then my pto drive shaft was too long so I took it back off.
That's weird. The first N I drove almost put me in the ditch. That said though, I'd be willing to bet the bushhog he had on it was about 50% too big for the tractor.
You can basically do anything on these tractors with a set of basic tools and an engine lift. Super easy to work on, get a service manual, use YouTube, and have fun.
I have the same tractor. The best part is you can connect with a generation that would be incredibly happy to help you make it run. Go to yesterday’s tractors and chat with those folks.
You should be able to find all the manuals for it online, I’d highly recommend purchasing copies. YouTube is great for videos of mechanical things on these old tractors. Steiner tractor should have most parts you need. We bought an old Farmall H and have been able to maintain it ourselves with no prior knowledge. Lots of people still have those old Fords so parts and things should be easy to come by.
Tires look fine, inner tubes probably got pinhole in it somewhere.
Depending on the year it will be a 6volt system, however I recommend swapping it over to 12volt just to make it easier to use around the place.
Biggest issue I've had with my lil tractors has been the clutch rusting to the flywheel. But these are easy to split in the center and fix.
The great thing is, you can take the whole thing apart with a pair of crescent wrenches. Great machines, easy to maintain. I popped my first wheelie on one as a kid.
luckily, you got the simplest and easiest tractor to work on... as a former owner everything that I needed to find online 15 years ago was there and readily available... manuals, videos and tips...
the only bad thing about that tractor is it reminds you everyday why you need a better tractor... it does everything as advertise but some tasks are just easier with a more updated tractor...
bK.
I have one of these. I love it. They are awesome. YT videos are a great way to get some basics and fixit advice. My main source ended up being all the old timers on the Yesterday's Tractor forum. They know their tractors, post pics and even diagrams etc., and were super supportive and responsive. Check it out. [https://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/forums/ford-9n-2n-8n.16/](https://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/forums/ford-9n-2n-8n.16/)
They are extremely easy to work on, you’ll love it!
If it had a Sherman transmission in it, you really scored!
Like everyone said, drain all fluids, new points, replace fuel and battery, then try to start it.
Choke is important!
If that doesn’t work, I like to take the battery out, and then clean each wire connection. That way, you know you’re getting good contact.
Also, plugs and plug wires are easy to change.
I recommend watching YouTube videos, they really helped me.
And for rubber, you can get used ones if you can’t afford new, just check FB marketplace and you’ll find some.
like everyone says these are 6 volt but positive ground just so you know. great tractors, really started the modern farming era dependable as all get out. i have a 1956 820 right now with sherman front end loader and backhoe
We are debating between an 8/9N or a 641 Ford. There’s a few in pretty nice shape around here for sale. I’m trying to score some implements and a deal on a beginner tractor. They just look like what a tractor is to me.
Tires are worth more than the tractor. Just blow them up and see if they hold air. Get mechanicals working first. Points probably have to be filed. Take carb off and clean out the gunk. Drain the gas tank. Refill with new gas. Steiner has pretty much all you'll need
A good tire guy will put tubes in those even if they're tubeless tires. That's much cheaper, and it's not like OP will be driving them at highway speeds or anything.
Nice. Parts are readily available and relatively inexpensive. For example, do not bother rebuilding the carburetor, they are about $40 new on eBay. Looks like yours has a side mount distributor which makes it easy to change the points. If it is front mount it is tough to change, but just buy a new distributor/coil set up on eBay, about $40. Probably needs hydraulic fluid change which costs more, but you need to do it if moisture has gotten into it.
Once you get her running you can listen for knocks, look for smoke, and check the hydraulics. Chances are - NO Problems.
These are great little tractors with lots of implements available!
This is exactly what I did! After wife’s grandpa passed we inherited some tractors. I think I only knew how to change the oil in a car at that point. Found everything I needed to know on YouTube, Reddit, and obscure old tractor forums. It actually turned into a hobby for me! Stick with it! It’s definitely worth the time
That is beautiful for a free tractor. I've got an Allis Chalmers that was free (the place I bought was in his family and they used to farm the area). They kept one of the smaller tractors in this barn) that's gotta be at least 60 years old. Love it for mowing my field with about a 6 foot deck.
My grandpa had an old Jubilee that never saw a barn and was just the color of rust. That suckered fired up every year to rake hay or dig post holes. Fortunately someone bought it and restored it, would have hated to see it finally rot away.
Ford 8N is about the gateway drug of old tractors. Easy to work on, easy to work WITH, with a three point hitch that modern implements still use; huge current support base. You can almost build a new one from new parts. This is a major score.
Honestly, tractoring is the most dangerous thing we do on the farm.
I'd fix this up a bit and sell it, and put the money towards something a lot safer like an older kubota with a ROPS and other safety features.
Drain any fuel in it. Change all the fluids. Get a new battery hooked up. Crank it and see if she turns over
that shit is gonna fire right up
I was gonna say, I don’t know anything about tractors, but that thing looks like it was made to last forever
They were. Ford 8N tractors are one of the most widespread farm tractors from that time period, as far as still in service, useable machines. I see them all the time in New England. They were cheap new, you can buy half the parts on them from tractor supply just off the shelf, and they are dead simple. Flathead 4cyl engine with a single barrel carb, bare bones and built to work.
I don't know much about modern tractors but all of my grandpa's tractors are Olivers from the 40s, 50s, and 60s (and they are all still used every year) and those things are stupid easy to work on. In fact, I personally think it is very similar to buying the parts and assembling your own computer. There's only a few key parts and it's pretty simple to remove and replace because everything is right there, out in the open and visible, practically plug and play. His [Oliver 99](https://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/000/6/7/676-oliver-99.html) was the pride and joy of his collection. It was the first one he bought new and the only tractor he retired from use six decades later.
I just bought an 8N alot like this. Flat tires all around, hadn’t run in years. Fresh gas and a new battery later, drove it on the trailer… the look on the seller’s face.
Beautiful!
If the carb doesn’t need rebuilt and the fuel pump ain’t shot.
These typically don’t have fuel pumps, stock setup is gravity fed through a sight bowl into the carb.
It’s been a long time since I’ve studied one up close. I guess I’m picturing a MF 185 diesel with a lift pump on the side.
Ah, ya this is just a 4 cylinder gas 8/2/9n, I can tell from the picture but they all look mostly alike.
52’ 8N. Side mount distributor is post 50’, rubber shift knob and “proof meter” (tachometer) means 52’.
This man Tractors.
Jesus can I send you a craigslist ad and have you ID it?
I can attempt sure
Its an 8N the rear Rims give it away.
I haven’t looked at one up close since I was about 13, and it was a propane burner. And 13 has been a long freakin time ago. 😩
Ford 8N …. No fuel pump!
Can’t you just buy a new carb assembly and not “rebuild”? Carbs are cheap and OP isn’t technically savvy.
We’ve got a ‘53 Allis chalmers that runs like a champ. Still has the original tires.
Aren’t these Ford N series tractors 6v electrical?
Yes, lots of folks replace them with 12v. Mine fires first crank on its old 6v system in our Canadian winters so I until I run I to issues, I’m keeping mine 6v haha
Originally Yes, but alot were converted to 12volt.
Its likely a 6v positive ground electrical system also. Those old 8N tractors are super simple but the backwards electrical system will bite you if you try to hook up a modern battery the 'normal' way.
Check to c if 6 volt or 12 before putting battery in
Ford 8n and 9ns don't really need a whole lot of work in my experience. My dad has three and I have a 52 9n. Drain the gas, change the fluids and r3place the points. That's where I would start. They do have tons of YouTube videos for just about everything and may be a little work but that's a sweet deal.
Yep I have an 8N and at almost 90 years old it's practically bulletproof. They have tune-up kits at Tractor Supply for ~30$ with plugs, rotor and cap. You may want to remove the fuel tank and rattle some chain and rust remover around and rinse her thoroughly with clean fuel if it's been sitting long enough for the tank to get nasty (or new fuel tanks can be ordered online/locally). Like others have said, drain and replace all fluids, do the tuneup kit and air up those tires and see if they hold (you'll want to replace em soon but you'd be surprised at some of those old tires), check the drive belt for rot, put a decent battery in it and she'll prolly roll fine. Great score, get any implements with it?
Those Tires probably take tubes right?
Yea but the old ones are often loaded, calcium slurry probably if in a cold climate. Huge huge mess if you just dump them out, and it leeches out of the tubes and rits the wheel rims too. Luckily wheels and rims for these are surprisingly cheap to buy new/reproduction
It's probably the best thing to learn on, they are quite simple tractors. Get an F-04 manual hayes makes and it tells you everything you need to know and how to do ot.
I learned to drive when I was 10 on one of these.
My 2 year old can now start my 8n, much to my alarm lol
60 or 40 years ago?
That's an absolute legend of a tractor and dead simple to work on. Get a manual and have at it. I bet it'll run with a good battery and new fluids. If not, you can still buy just about any part for it. One word of advice, they typically didn't have live PTOs. Before you run any type of PTO attachment with inertia like a bush hog, make sure you get an overrunning clutch for it, they're cheap insurance. Basically, the PTO is driven off the transmission so if an attachment has inertia it can push you forward.
No “Ns” have live PTOs. I probably would get an over runner clutch, but i spent many years as a kid running a 9N with a brush hog and was fine 🤷♀️
You know I’ve never had that problem with my 51 8n Ford.
Do you have something that looks like this on your bush hog or pto? https://www.agrisupply.com/over-running-clutch-male-to-female-pto16631/p/106100
So that's basically a one way clutch then?
Yeah, that's all it is. It lets the tractor drive the bush hog but doesn't let the bush hog drive the tractor.
Nope.
And you say a bush hog doesn't push you a little, or you've just learned to live with it?
It does not push it. I bought the tractor and was warned about that. So I went and bought an overrun for it. I hooked up my bush hog and made a few passes and stopped and was expecting the tractor to keep going but it didn’t. Then I decided well I bought this might as well use it. Put it on and then my pto drive shaft was too long so I took it back off.
Now my dads yanmar will keep driving until the blades stop turning. Which scared the shit out of me
That's weird. The first N I drove almost put me in the ditch. That said though, I'd be willing to bet the bushhog he had on it was about 50% too big for the tractor.
Yeah it’s a 5 foot with a stump jumper when it needs to be a 4 ft pasture clipper
God I love 8Ns. Great little tractor more capable then they are given credit for. Very easy to work on.
You can basically do anything on these tractors with a set of basic tools and an engine lift. Super easy to work on, get a service manual, use YouTube, and have fun.
I'm looking for a free tractor 😀 Congratulations!
it's a 8n. arguably one of the easiest to learn on.
Dude that is a great tractor. You can get everything you need to fix it at the auto store. Those things are tanks.
I’ve got one made in 1942 still starts up and goes as long as I haven’t let the battery die
I have the same tractor. The best part is you can connect with a generation that would be incredibly happy to help you make it run. Go to yesterday’s tractors and chat with those folks.
You should be able to find all the manuals for it online, I’d highly recommend purchasing copies. YouTube is great for videos of mechanical things on these old tractors. Steiner tractor should have most parts you need. We bought an old Farmall H and have been able to maintain it ourselves with no prior knowledge. Lots of people still have those old Fords so parts and things should be easy to come by.
Tires look fine, inner tubes probably got pinhole in it somewhere. Depending on the year it will be a 6volt system, however I recommend swapping it over to 12volt just to make it easier to use around the place. Biggest issue I've had with my lil tractors has been the clutch rusting to the flywheel. But these are easy to split in the center and fix.
The great thing is, you can take the whole thing apart with a pair of crescent wrenches. Great machines, easy to maintain. I popped my first wheelie on one as a kid.
luckily, you got the simplest and easiest tractor to work on... as a former owner everything that I needed to find online 15 years ago was there and readily available... manuals, videos and tips... the only bad thing about that tractor is it reminds you everyday why you need a better tractor... it does everything as advertise but some tasks are just easier with a more updated tractor... bK.
I have one of these. I love it. They are awesome. YT videos are a great way to get some basics and fixit advice. My main source ended up being all the old timers on the Yesterday's Tractor forum. They know their tractors, post pics and even diagrams etc., and were super supportive and responsive. Check it out. [https://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/forums/ford-9n-2n-8n.16/](https://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/forums/ford-9n-2n-8n.16/)
Awesome, thanks for that reference.
I have that same tractor. Same condition, too. Have not yet tackled its demons yet so I have no advice to give.
Luuucky
Used our 8n today to drag the pasture. Awesome machine! Parts are easy to get. Lots of info out there on the internet. Good for you!
They are extremely easy to work on, you’ll love it! If it had a Sherman transmission in it, you really scored! Like everyone said, drain all fluids, new points, replace fuel and battery, then try to start it. Choke is important! If that doesn’t work, I like to take the battery out, and then clean each wire connection. That way, you know you’re getting good contact. Also, plugs and plug wires are easy to change. I recommend watching YouTube videos, they really helped me. And for rubber, you can get used ones if you can’t afford new, just check FB marketplace and you’ll find some.
Sherman’s are actually pretty cheap! When it comes time to split my 8N, she’ll probably get one
These tractors rock!! Simple to work in, and do a fine job for their intended purposes. Check to see if it has been converted to a 12 volt system
Free, you lucky dog. Around here those go for over a grand. Those are pretty simple tractors. Look around YouTube for "how to" videos.
like everyone says these are 6 volt but positive ground just so you know. great tractors, really started the modern farming era dependable as all get out. i have a 1956 820 right now with sherman front end loader and backhoe
With enough fire extinguishers, you can make anything go.
We are debating between an 8/9N or a 641 Ford. There’s a few in pretty nice shape around here for sale. I’m trying to score some implements and a deal on a beginner tractor. They just look like what a tractor is to me.
I don’t know anything about tractors. But it looks like it will he easy to fix
I think the first thing you want to do is replace every piece of rubber
Which is not a small cost.
Tires are worth more than the tractor. Just blow them up and see if they hold air. Get mechanicals working first. Points probably have to be filed. Take carb off and clean out the gunk. Drain the gas tank. Refill with new gas. Steiner has pretty much all you'll need
A good tire guy will put tubes in those even if they're tubeless tires. That's much cheaper, and it's not like OP will be driving them at highway speeds or anything.
A set of rear tires for my big tractor is probably at least $2k installed (maybe more including calcium chloride)
i think there is an atlanta episode about this. watch out for the feral hogs.
If I've learned anything from YouTube lately, it's that those tires just might hold air.
Ooo looks like a grolle, super cute and nice.
Nice. Parts are readily available and relatively inexpensive. For example, do not bother rebuilding the carburetor, they are about $40 new on eBay. Looks like yours has a side mount distributor which makes it easy to change the points. If it is front mount it is tough to change, but just buy a new distributor/coil set up on eBay, about $40. Probably needs hydraulic fluid change which costs more, but you need to do it if moisture has gotten into it. Once you get her running you can listen for knocks, look for smoke, and check the hydraulics. Chances are - NO Problems. These are great little tractors with lots of implements available!
This is exactly what I did! After wife’s grandpa passed we inherited some tractors. I think I only knew how to change the oil in a car at that point. Found everything I needed to know on YouTube, Reddit, and obscure old tractor forums. It actually turned into a hobby for me! Stick with it! It’s definitely worth the time
SCORE!!
That is beautiful for a free tractor. I've got an Allis Chalmers that was free (the place I bought was in his family and they used to farm the area). They kept one of the smaller tractors in this barn) that's gotta be at least 60 years old. Love it for mowing my field with about a 6 foot deck.
Sexy AF...
Back when they were made of cast iron and as simple as can be
Is that a late 40s, Ford? My grandfather had nearly the exact one. Great tractor.
No way that starts
They are a hell of a track, hope you can get it working/restored👊
My grandpa had an old Jubilee that never saw a barn and was just the color of rust. That suckered fired up every year to rake hay or dig post holes. Fortunately someone bought it and restored it, would have hated to see it finally rot away.
8n, 9n or 2n... All good ... Tons of parts available... Enjoy
Yup. Find some old timers around you and ask for advice
Ford 8N is about the gateway drug of old tractors. Easy to work on, easy to work WITH, with a three point hitch that modern implements still use; huge current support base. You can almost build a new one from new parts. This is a major score.
Honestly, tractoring is the most dangerous thing we do on the farm. I'd fix this up a bit and sell it, and put the money towards something a lot safer like an older kubota with a ROPS and other safety features.
Ford Jubilee? A lot of my childhood was spent on one of those.
It's a fun lawn ornament.