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Buying a tractor

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relaurain

03-30-2008 16:54:15

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Just bought 40 acres and would like to start planting corn.
Need a tractor to handle this.
Don't want to spend alot.
Thinking about a Ford 8N?
Any help on what tractors are good and which to stay away from?

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Fred Goodrich

04-01-2008 04:39:52

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to relaurain, 03-30-2008 16:54:15

There's a Big Bud for sale in Ohio that should give you sufficient HP. Maybe a 4690 Case or a 8850 Deere should be considered.

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relaurain

03-31-2008 15:17:35

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to relaurain, 03-30-2008 16:54:15

Wow! alot of info - thanks!
I am in Northwest Michigan and would like to plant corn.
There seems to be a lot of 8N's around, that is the only reson I mentioned it. I don't have experience farming, this is all new to me - kinda.
Thanks for all the great advice so far!

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Rootsy

03-31-2008 16:18:28

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to relaurain, 03-31-2008 15:17:35

Size the tractor to the implements you need.

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raleigh

03-31-2008 06:27:12

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to relaurain, 03-30-2008 16:54:15

Get a 4020..Big tractor with lots of POWER!! and very easy to work on when broke..you want be sorry!!

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1936

03-31-2008 05:48:29

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to relaurain, 03-30-2008 16:54:15

Have you got any farming experience? The 8n will end being the grass cutting machine. Most of the tractors suggested will get the job done. The 8n has killed more people than most tractors. Keep it off the road ditch banks.

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buickanddeere

03-31-2008 05:45:54

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Re: Battle lines in reply to relaurain, 03-30-2008 16:54:15

Deere 420 slant steer or 430 will eat a Ford 8N for lunch. Live pto, power steering, real drawbar, three point hitch and rear remote hydraulics.
Ford 8n.9N & 2N are most noted for being found laying on top of their operators.
Better yet get into 30,40,50 or 55 series Deere utility tractor with a loader.

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Tradititonal Farmer

03-31-2008 04:11:44

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to relaurain, 03-30-2008 16:54:15

Do yourself a favor and get a tractor that is a diesel,at least 50HP and has 3 pt hitch.Also get an independent
mechanic to check it out for you before you buy or chance being like the lady with the oil sucking Ford on here.The used tractor folks make used car dealers look like Sunday School teachers.

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Ultradog MN

03-31-2008 03:23:43

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to relaurain, 03-30-2008 16:54:15

Being a Ford man myself of course I'll try to steer you towards a Ford over one of their taller, less nimble cousins.
8Ns are great little tractors for a few acres. But having "graduated" from the Ns to larger Fords I would recommend you look for a little newer tractor. 600,800, 2000,4000 (4 cyl) are all superb machines that will do twice the work for you for about 1/3 more money. That 1/3 is money well spent.
Whatever you buy make sure it has 3 point hitch.
A 3 point tractor will do everything a drawbar tractor will do plus so much more.

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MN Scott

03-30-2008 20:22:37

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to relaurain, 03-30-2008 16:54:15

You may want to consider someone custom planting and harvesting for you. For 40 acres its going to be a big investment for a decent planter and combine. Someone planting with a newer planter in top condition will pay for the custom fees in a better stand and higher yield. Planting corn is not so simple if you have never done it before. Start with proper fertilization, hybrid selection, insecticide, weed control ect. With $5 corn you want to get everything as close to perfect as possible. An 8n is a pretty small tractor for 40 acres, I would look for something newer around 60 HP like a farmall 656, 666, 686. They can pull 12 to 14 ft implements that can do a better job faster and are easier to find used in good condition.

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dhermesc

03-31-2008 05:23:18

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to MN Scott, 03-30-2008 20:22:37

"You may want to consider someone custom planting and harvesting for you. For 40 acres its going to be a big investment for a decent planter and combine."

Agreed.

That or just rent it out.

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BillinCentralMO

03-30-2008 19:58:22

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to relaurain, 03-30-2008 16:54:15

Circus is right. That 8n is too small. We have one. You get your truck stuck. You can take the 8n down there and then walk back to get a tractor big enough to pull the truck and the 8n out. BTDT. You can get like a Massey 135 or 165 and it will do alot more work. That 8n is a wagon puller. The radiator is down in the dirt. Have to clean it alot if you mow or hay with it. No live pto. Mower clogs , you gotta stop and back up. It's a good auger tractor.I have a gas Massey 165 that will do twice the work , has hydrulics and live pto. You can put a loader on it much easier. It's a 50 hp tractor and you can still haul it with a half ton pickup.I think it is safer too. If you want to play with a tractor buy the 8n. You want to do work-consider something else.

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135 Fan

03-30-2008 19:43:05

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to relaurain, 03-30-2008 16:54:15

I think you'd want a little bigger and newer than an 8N for 40 acres. Live PTO and perhaps a diesel with the cost of fuel. Any MF 35 to 60 HP tractor would give you better service and be more versatile. A 135 or other MF with the 3 cylinder Perkins diesel would have unbeatable economy and reliability. 3 Pt. hitch for sure. An MF with the Standard motors diesel is the least desirable as they don't start the easiest, especially when it's colder. Perkins diesel, Perkins gas and Continental gas are the engines of choice in MF tractors. A little bigger like a 165 would also be a good choice. Dave

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RODGEinIL

03-30-2008 19:40:58

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to relaurain, 03-30-2008 16:54:15

For 40 acres get a Farmall M,H,300,400,460,560,etc. Of course the JD 530,630,730 of course, and an old Deere 7000 planter and an old small combine.. I may have left out some other tractor brands but that doesn't mean ther'e not as good. Somewhere in that horsepower range.

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old

03-30-2008 18:36:20

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to relaurain, 03-30-2008 16:54:15

40 acres you will probably want more then just one tractor. Its hard to buy just one and do it all. I have 44 acres and 34 tractors. Ya more then I need but I save them from the scrap man also. An 8N is ok but its only about 23HP if I where you I would look into maybe an 8N and then maybe one ot 2 others. They do brake down and some times they do it just when you need them yesterday so you can loose a whole crop if you don't have a back up. My web site gives you a few ideas of what all I have and I use them all that is its there still good enough to run. That also includes my 1935 JD-B that I still rake hay with

Hobby farm

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TravisB

03-30-2008 18:35:31

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to relaurain, 03-30-2008 16:54:15

i'd look for a later model john deere 60 with live PTO, live hydraulics, and power steering. plenty big enough to do about anything you'd like to do and very easy on gas.

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1206SWMO

03-30-2008 18:34:49

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to relaurain, 03-30-2008 16:54:15

Between 1948-60 my Dad farmed 160 acres with a 1947 8N Ford being his only tractor.It was used nearly every day of the year and got the job done.

Farming 40 acres with one would be no problem.

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Lanse

03-30-2008 18:16:22

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to relaurain, 03-30-2008 16:54:15

i'd look into any of the following ive heard of used for farms that size

Farmall H
Farmall M or better yet- MD
Ford 2000 to 4000
Allis WD or WD45
Deere A B or G
Oliver 66, 77, or 88

thats off my head, i know theres more

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kyplowboy

03-30-2008 18:00:50

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to relaurain, 03-30-2008 16:54:15

I do not know enough bout your sittuation to give alot of advice, just like evey one else I will try. I love old tractors, they are usefull and a pleasure to "play" with. That said, for about the same money, and if you are wanting a ford go up a few years and get an 860 or 861. These have more gears, kinda live pto, more hydrolic options, and can be had with power stearing. If you must stay with an "old" tractor that is what I would say go with, and if 40 acres is all you have to ever have to worry bout that would be fine. If you are raising 40 acres on the "side" of a full time job, spend twice the money and get 3 times the tractor. As some one who farms on the side, or I should say works nights in town on the side, when you only have a few days a week to work on the farm, a 6' disk and a 2 bottom plow just don't cut it when the thunder starts next county over. Rather than spending $2000 to $3500 on a 30-40 hp tractor that is 50 years old, you would be better off with a $7000, 60-80 hp, 30 year old tractor. As for equipment for these tractors, the cost is about the same. You can get a good 3-16 plow for the same money as you can get a 2-14, same goes with 6' and 12' disk, and 2 and 4 row planters.
I have 3.5 acres of tobacco, cut 40-50 acres of hay a year, and have taken on 60 acres of row crop this year, on the side of 12 hour night shift work. I have a Ford 960 and 6700, would hate to think I had to do it all with the 960!

Good luck, let us know how it works out and if any one can help you, we will.

Dave

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Bob Huntress

03-30-2008 17:51:29

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Battle lines in reply to relaurain, 03-30-2008 16:54:15

Well, I see that I stand alone on this, but that's fine. 8N's are one of the best tractors of their size. I have one, and won't trade it for an equal sized Deere! It has never wanted for power as it is a fine utility tractor. Apples to apples, you can't beat a Ford 8N. I'm not comparing the 8N to a Deere 2840, or anything, but give the 8N it's due respect!

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Mike (WA)

03-31-2008 12:20:52

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Re: Battle lines in reply to Bob Huntress, 03-30-2008 17:51:29

In a similar discussion on here some time back, one wag observed that the N's were really good to drive down and get the mail. If you didn't have too much mail.

But seriously, they are great for stuff involving "driving around"- pulling small manure spreader, mowing (if you have the "Fence Protector" model overruning PTO clutch), pulling hay wagons. That being said, I wouldn't want to tackle 40 acres of corn with one. Not powerful enough to pull tillage tools big enough to get the job done as quickly as necessary. Many larger, more suitable tillage tractors out there, for more reasonable price.

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jdemaris

03-31-2008 06:06:49

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Re: Battle lines in reply to Bob Huntress, 03-30-2008 17:51:29

Seems it depends on what reference frame you are using.

Comparing it to similar tractors of it's time when sold new is one way of looking at them.

Comparing to similar sized tractors now by average sale price is another.

With the later, I find most 8Ns to be pretty useless - unless they have some options like a Sherman underdrive. For the same price range or less, you can get a tractor with overhead valves, live hydraulics and PTO, etc.

Last summer I bought a 1960 IH B-275. 33 horse diesel, front loader, differential lock, live hydraulics and live PTO and a four-speed trans with hi and low range. It is MUCH more tractor than any 8N on the planet and I paid $800 for it. To contrast that - I'm trying to buy a tractor right now in northern Michigan where I have some land (1000 miles from my home). So far, all I've found available - are three Fords. An 8N, and two 641s. None have dual ranges, none have live PTOs, etc. and all overpriced. 641s at least, have more efficient overhead valve engines - but the ones I keep finding do not have the 5 speed transmissions, Sherman aux., or live PTOs.

8N, 2Ns, 9Ns, etc. are handy since they are short and low to the ground. Being short that can also be pretty dangerous going up hills and/or when pulling logs. Nice thing is - parts are easy to find and cheap.

I've got a 1963 Ford 4000 with the 172 engine, four-speed trans, and a Sherman three-speed aux. trans. Without that Sherman, it would be pretty useless for many things.

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kyplowboy

03-30-2008 18:06:33

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Re: Battle lines in reply to Bob Huntress, 03-30-2008 17:51:29

8n's are great tractors. They are great for rake'n hay, use'n a finish mower on the yard, grade'n the drive way, the list goes on and on. They come in very handy on the farm, evey one needs one or one like it. When you are try'n to farm around a work schedule and weather something a little bigger might be a better choice.
I am working on getting one right now, just wait'n for the old boy to come down off that $900 he thinks he needs for it!
Dave

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buickanddeere

03-31-2008 11:26:11

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Re: Battle lines in reply to kyplowboy, 03-30-2008 18:06:33

No good to mount a loader on, dry mechanical brakes, transmission driven pto, no remote hydraulic connection, no drawbar. Wow, sign me up.

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Bob Huntress

03-30-2008 17:51:15

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Battle lines in reply to relaurain, 03-30-2008 16:54:15

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:RIVIR

03-30-2008 17:38:50

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to relaurain, 03-30-2008 16:54:15

if you goin to seed 40 acres of corn buy a farmall tractor and your job will get done,

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Pat-CT

03-30-2008 17:36:19

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to relaurain, 03-30-2008 16:54:15

personaly i love antique tractors asa collectable and for the ocasional pull but a ford 8n not that there a great tractor i have helped a guy work on what a day and he has worked on them for a good25 years and he said there one of the hardest tractors to split or put a clutch in..personaly i use a international b-275 at work then theres a for 19sometin ford and a ford 2120 the ford 2120 is a great tractor for your size farm.. now i have used many size tractors like a JD 7520,6400,5520,and a4710 ranging from 125 horse to 45 and i personal like the size of the 5520 more then the 7520 becuase its easyer to see what you are doing and such..for the general land work and ocasional farmer i would say if you have a low budget..look for a JD 60 a JD50 or JD 70 or a Farmall 300 or 400 all are great tractors with power steering and live pto but if you want to be comfortabl i would llok into a good size ford like a 2120 or a JD 5420 size not exact model but in that size range

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RobMD

03-30-2008 17:34:04

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to relaurain, 03-30-2008 16:54:15

40 acres eh? You can have a decent Farmall H or even an M for less than an overpriced and overrated Ford 8n. You could look into the Deere B's and A's.

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Circus

03-30-2008 17:25:08

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to relaurain, 03-30-2008 16:54:15

Though the 8N is a fine tractor, they're pricey for what you get. They're cute and can fit in the garage. 70 to 100 hp tractors are the unloved, too small for mega farms and too large for yuppies. For you just right. Find a farmers paper for auctions. Example; http://www.wisfarmer.com/auctions.html Good luck and enjoy the dream

Untitled URL Link

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Bob Huntress

03-30-2008 17:31:29

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to Circus, 03-30-2008 17:25:08

Mine was about $1500, and I see many servicable 8N's for between $1000 and $2000. If it won't meet his needs, thus it be, but I find it to be a very good tractor, for the money.

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circus

03-30-2008 17:48:21

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to Bob Huntress, 03-30-2008 17:31:29

Maybe we can make some wampum. Around here they're selling between $3500 and $5000 in rough shape.

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Tradititonal Farmer

03-31-2008 04:15:31

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to circus, 03-30-2008 17:48:21

I can ship you a trailer load for $2500 each,you'll make a thousand and I'll make at least that much or more.

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rrlund

03-30-2008 17:51:10

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to circus, 03-30-2008 17:48:21

Where? $600 to $1500 here in Michigan will buy any one you want. Dealers will give you choice for 1600-1800.

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Circus

03-30-2008 17:56:38

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to rrlund, 03-30-2008 17:51:10

East central Wisconsin

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Leland

03-30-2008 17:07:31

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to relaurain, 03-30-2008 16:54:15

look for something safer and a little more modern ,one that has power steering ,live PTO ,hydraulics and power brakes . belive me you will be a lot happier and not worn out at the end of the day .

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Bob Huntress

03-30-2008 17:00:47

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Re: Buying a tractor in reply to relaurain, 03-30-2008 16:54:15

I love my 8N ford. It is simple to operate and maintain. Parts are readily avalible. It has enough power for everything that I use it for, though many have suggested that it is somewhat underpowered. Implements are also in great supply that can be used with it. All in all, I have nothing bad to say about the 8N.

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