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Thinking about getting a Ford 2n, any advice

A

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member
I have a Farmall 300 that is just too big for my needs. I am looking at trading a gentleman for his 2n that he has done a lot of work to. What you think about this? I have had a 8n and a 9n in the past so I have some experience with the Fords
 
What do I think about it? I think the other gentleman is going to get a much better deal.
 
All depends on what you want to do with the tractor. If it's big enough go for it. They are not a bad tractor for their size. It has the 3Pt. system but no draft control for depth. But I beleive you can still get a "ZANE THANG" on this site and it really works. Very easy to instaall and you will have draft control like the 8N. Good Luck and post on the N Ford discussion panel for maybe better results to your answer.
 
Thanks for the responses. The tractor will only get used to drive around the yard and play with. No plowing, tilling, or anything. Just using a finish mower and might get a bush hog for it but don"t have one. Just giving kids rides and maybe go to a tractor show with it or a parade. Mark my word, I will have another red tractor because that"s what I prefer.
 
(quoted from post at 18:28:41 06/24/12) Thanks for the responses. The tractor will only get used to drive around the yard and play with. No plowing, tilling, or anything. Just using a finish mower and might get a bush hog for it but don"t have one. Just giving kids rides and maybe go to a tractor show with it or a parade. Mark my word, I will have another red tractor because that"s what I prefer.
Click to expand...

There isn't a "live" PTO on those tractors, so for bush hogging or mowing be sure to get an "over-running clutch" for the PTO shaft. Momentum from the mower will keep propelling the tractor until the mower slows down unless you have the ORC on the PTO shaft.

I think your Farmall is the same setup on the PTO so you may already have one.

Myron
 
I am not sure what that is. I can't find anything called that. I found a pin and a spring for draft control but not really good pics. Will check that other place for advice. Thank you
 
Will I need one of those even for a finish mower since it has smaller blades. I knew about it for a bush hog

Thanks
 
I would say that a 300 and a 9N in equivalent condition is not a great deal for you, but if the 9N is better it might be equal. Just my opinion. If you want something smaller I would look at a 600 or 800 series ford since they are more modern like the 300.
Zach
 
Maybe not so much for a finish mower, but I have been on a rant about the PTO clutches since a neighbor munched up a boy under a bush hog some years ago.
Kid fell off the tractor and the guy couldn't get the tractor stopped before running over the kid. Terminally stupid driver, that.
Of course, even with the ORC, the mower will keep spinning, but at least you can get stopped before putting the tractor through the fence or into the pond, etc.

Myron
 
It has one on it already and I thinkI have one also. I was just curious. Wow, that is a tragedy. Having kids of my own, I feel for your neighbor.

WILL HAVE ONE ON IT

Thanks
 
Whether it's a good trade depends on condition and whether any implements are tossed in. You're getting a smaller tractor but I don't think the difference in size is really that significant, they're both small farm tractors. Not a huge amount of money involved to go with your heart.
 
You just pop it out of gear fast like we did before LPTO its just something we learned you can do it as fast as pulling a lever just pop the tranny out of gear.
 
Ever wonder why there are so many N series Fords for sale? People purchase them and then they around and put the turkeys up for re-sale because they don't have live pto, no live hydraulics, no live rockshaft, no power steering or nor decent brakes.Some don't even have a respectable drawbar.
Used tractors are all cheap.Look around and find a 1960's-1970's vintage IH utility, Oliver, Allis, or Massey etc with a rops that doesn't wan to flip over and crush you. May even be diesel , 12V and have diff lock. Certainly they will have a slower 1st gear and reverse.
 

That can work for someone very used to using the tractor, but the average suburbanite wannabe "rancher" doesn't have the experience or presence of mind to do it fast enough.
Seems like most of the old tractors ended up on small properties with people who aren't very "tractor oriented" or experienced. Just wanna mow grass as cheaply as possible.

Myron
 
I would not take a 9N,2N,or 8N as a gift if I had to keep it and use it. They beat a team of horses and would out work a plain drawbar tractor when plowing. On just about anything else they are not that user friendly. They fell out of favor when tractor design passed them by.

If I was trading the IH300 for a Ford I would go up to a 600 or 601 series. You can have them witha five speed and two stage clutch. This makes them a much better tractor to use.

I would never use a non live PTO tractor on anything that requires movement while using the PTO. The live power and full independent PTO where designed to make the tractors much more user friendly an safer too. It just like I am not going out and by a Ford Model T to drive on a freeway. Better technology has replaced them.


Also I would think a IH 300 and a Ford 2N in the same shape would not have near the same value. The IH 300 should be worth more. At least around here they are.
 
I never did understand your monomaniacal hatred of the Ns B&D. The 2ns were built from 1942 to 1947. How many tractors of that era DID have all of the modern features you mention.
Show me anther brand from that era that with a $65 boom pole could do the very simple task in the pic below - right off the factory floor.
My first tractor was a 2N and it did some marvelous tasks for me - plowing, discing, brush hogging (with an ORC on it), pulling a drill, lots of mowing with a 6' finish mower, grading the driveway and moving snow with a 3 point back blade. Surely you wont say that those things didn't happen or that it requires a fancy tractor to do those things.
Ns are simple, reliable, handy little tractors that are still earning their keep on the North American landscape.

mwccnt.jpg
 
They served many small farmers well for many years. It all depends what one wants to do with a tractor. For woods work, genrral chore work and other tasks they work great. And, they'll plow rings around a JD B or JD A.

So--try not to paint with such a broad brush.
BTW--I have a JDA, JDB, JD70 and a JD 420. Also, a Farmall Super C, Super H, and Super M. And--of course-a Ford 2N. My first tractor was a JD MT. Wasn't that a great design???? What a disaster.

For me, primary use falls to the 2N and the super C.
 
Don't.

The 300 that you have is a much better tractor, much much better. It is still a small tractor. I would love to have one.

Don't trade, you will regret it.
 
Dad has a Super C and I had a C. Wish I still had that C. I restored both. If I had a choice, I would trade this 300 for a C anyday.
 
My great granfather farmed his entire farm years ago with 2 8ns. There are a lot of haters for the old Fords. Just a little toy, don't think you can get a better one. You can even get all of your parts at TSC. I personally don't see the problem with the Fords.
 
If you are used to having an independent PTO, live hydraulics, good brakes and maybe power steering the 2N may be a disapointment. The N Fords may sell for more than your 300 but they are not as useful.

Are you looking for a lower profile tractor, or simply a lighter, more economical one? If you are looking for a low profile tractor, an IH 300 utility or 350 utility might be ideal for you. But they were very popular on livestock farms so they were used heavily and most were worn out fourty years ago already.

Would a smaller D Series, WD, or WD45 Allis Chalmers be low profile enough for you? Massey Ferguson 35-165, Oliver 55, IH 404 and _74 series, JD 1020, Ford hundred series and thousand series, Case 300 to 630 series are good older utiliy tractors.
 
It takes up a lot of garage space. I would prefer a Farmall A or C. I am into the Farmalls but a little Ford will be fun also. Easier to get parts for it than the 300. I don't know, probably have it a little while and trade it on a A or C.
 
Brett, You Asked! So hear goes......
If I understand You are going from 33 hp to 21 hp. From Power Steering to None. From Live Hydraulics and LPTO to No Hydraulics or no LPTO too. This assessment is based on Fetchers not personal preference.
Not only NO But H3ll NO, Not under any circumstances. I am with the others. If you want a smaller stature tractor, and you are bent on a Ford then the 800 or 861 or some newer model, Or look for a IH 300/350 utility or High utility. Massey 65 High utility (JMO). There are wayyyy to many other better choices than to settle for a 2n,8n,9n series tractor.
If You were getting rid of your Mules, for the first time--- the N series was a vast improvement over a Team of mules, horses, Oxen!!!
But I personally would not make that trade, I don't care how much "Boot" the guy throws In! or how much Whiskey I was forced to drink.
Run, Run, Run Away from this deal. It is Bad.
Later,
John A.
 
Where can I get one and how much are they? Do you know and have you used one or are they not worth messing with?

Thanks
 
I understand exactly what you are saying. The hydraulics are out on this 300 and has no TA so I figure value is pretty equal at this time. I don't have any money to buy a newer model such as a utility and they are pretty pricey. I haven't advertised this tractor just found a guy that was interested in trading so I contacted him. I thought the 3 point would be handy for a finish mower and dragging a trailer around the yard for yard work and giving kids a ride. It will never have a plow behind it. I have had a 8n and a 9n and they were fun little and handy little tractors. I only have 10 acre and most is yard I mow with my zero turn. I completely hear what you are saying. will probably end up trading it for another Farmall, that's what I realy like. Thanks for the advice.
 
Ns are great little tractors.The trouble every compares em to newer,bigger tractors-"they're junk"!If the 300 is too big and is needing lots of work,if its what you want,go for it!If you need live pto/hydralics,buy a 600/800.I would have no problems/2nd thoughts about an N.
 
Since you are familiar with and know the limitations,you're already ahead of most people.If its what you want(sounds like you've decided),go for it,only you can decide,not the'N haters'
 
All I knew growing up was 8Ns; Dad and I cut hay with them all summer every summer, plus hogging and log snaking. I inherited one of them, and when I was clearing my acreage it was my little workhorse. When I was "restoring" it a few years ago I needed a tractor so I got a JD 1020. I never have really "liked" the JD---it doesn't fit me---but it opened my eyes to what a bigger tractor can do. I still have the 8N, and I still enjoy using it, and I'll have it til I die, but I wouldn't want to go back to it being my only tractor. Reverse gear by itself is reason enough to make an N impractical.
 
It's way too fast to safely do some things---you bend stuff up, knock down a shed pole, bend the tongue on your trailer, etc. Sometimes you just want to sneak up on whatever it is you're trying to do.
 
I had 2Ns and 8Ns and Hundreds. They were all good tractors. I still have a Ford. But nowadays I wouldn't own one that was built before 1965.
The little Ns were great tractors but as has been so succinctly stated, they do lack the features of later/better tractors. So in that sense B&D is right.
I know nothing about the tractor you have now.
Maybe it's a good trade maybe it's not.
I just don't care to see the Ns badmouthed here - as they often are.
 
(quoted from post at 20:23:20 06/24/12) I had 2Ns and 8Ns and Hundreds. They were all good tractors. I still have a Ford. But nowadays I wouldn't own one that was built before 1965.
The little Ns were great tractors but as has been so succinctly stated, they do lack the features of later/better tractors. So in that sense B&D is right.
I know nothing about the tractor you have now.
Maybe it's a good trade maybe it's not.
I just don't care to see the Ns badmouthed here - as they often are.
Click to expand...

LOL I love it when these guys on here get to bad mouthing the N's. I've got an 8N, Farmall M and a 1206. The N plows, digs ands disks, plants, maintains the drive, rakes hay, digs post holes, mows brush and lawn. The M pulls the manure spreader 2-3 times a year. The 1206 runs the haybine and baler. The 300 today is not as versitile as an N in part because implements are getting hard to find where as implements for the N can still be purchased new or used. I wouldn't buy a 300 sized tractor made before 1960. In fact the only tractor made prior to 1950 that I would be interested in. In the 1950-1060 time frame the MF TO's, Most of the Fords, N, NAA, 100 series. After 1960 there are a bunch.

Rick
 
After reading some of the replies I will chime in. I learned to drive on a 9N. I love Farmalls though. I have an H and Super M. The N is a great tractor. It will surprise you how much it can handle. If you want to downgrade from a 300 the N is a good choice. The 300 will use more gas is harder to climb on and not all have a 2 point hitch. Yes the 300 can have independent PTO but it isn't a necessity. Farmers did just fine with out it for many years. Most can do the same today. Will you set any land speed records? No. But if you need a small chore tractor they are perfect. And seeing as how you have experience with the 9N you know what you are getting into. If his is in good shape and yours is in good shape go for it. They seem to go for the same price here in PA with the Fords sometimes fetching a few hundred more.
Sorry for the long post.
 
I guess it's kind of like this: I could never understand why anyone would buy a Buick. they are just an expensive Chevrolet.
 
Of all of my tractors, if I could only keep one, it would be the Super C. I have a 3 pt. conversion on it so I can do a lot of things with it. And at tractor pulls in the stick class, it regularly will out pull Farmall H's in the 4500# and 5000# class.
 
Bingo! Couldn't have said it better. They were way ahead of their time while other brands were simply draw bar tractors.
 
(quoted from post at 13:44:56 06/24/12) I have a Farmall 300 that is just too big for my needs. I am looking at trading a gentleman for his 2n that he has done a lot of work to. What you think about this? I have had a 8n and a 9n in the past so I have some experience with the Fords
Click to expand...

I'd keep what you have... (only cause I like red but know nothing about the 300)
But the little fords are neat looking...

8658.jpg



Maybe a better thing for you to play with tho.... unless the 300 has a wide front.

To avoid hard feelings (my impeckable people skills in action here), I'd sell the 300 outright and pay cash for the ford... Here is an ORC:

http://www.griggslawnandtractor.com/servlet/the-923/Heavy-Duty-PTO-Over/Detail

If you want one and are interested, I have a new one that I used one time (baled about 80 bales of hay) before someone smarter than me showed me that I didn't need it with my tractor.

Just shoot me an email and tell me your zipcode (so I can figure postage) and we'll work out a fare price..

[email protected]
 
Trading an overhead valve engine for a flat head, what are you thinking?
Which tractor has a gas tank over the engine, under a hood and the gas boils on hot days?
Which tractor has live hydraulics and which tractor has hydraulic issues with the 3 pt hitch?
I have both an IH C and an NAA. I have very few problems with the IH C compared to the NAA.
George
 
Tractor is beautiful and my 300 would never fetch enough to be bale to buy that. I don't have a lot of extra cash to put towards it. Since the kids need to eat. I just do the tractor thing as a hobby and don't use money from our "table" for it. I just roll it back into my tractor budget. Would love to have one like that but can't take out a loan for a tractor. Well.....not yet anyways.
 
(quoted from post at 04:05:57 06/25/12) Trading an overhead valve engine for a flat head, what are you thinking?
Which tractor has a gas tank over the engine, under a hood and the gas boils on hot days?
Which tractor has live hydraulics and which tractor has hydraulic issues with the 3 pt hitch?
I have both an IH C and an NAA. I have very few problems with the IH C compared to the NAA.
George
Click to expand...

I have few if any problems with my 8N. Given a choice between a 300 and my N I'd keep my N as it's much more usable for everyday chores plus easyer to mount. In the last 2 years with a couple of hundred hours the only problem I've had with it was oil burning. A rebuild fixed that. The problem with the 300 or my M for that matter is they are too big to be real handy and too small for the bigger jobs. I wish the N had live hydraulics and about 10 more HP but I use the heck out of it.

Ford did stay with the flat head way too long.

Rick
 
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