Go BottomYanmar Ford 8N
 | Tyler
Join Date: Posts: 1 
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2002-09-13 42359
I just purchased 82 acres where I will be maintaining several small trails and 3 or 4 small food plots of 1 to 3 acres each. At this time I do not wish to spend more than $5K or so, therefore, I am looking for a used tractor. I like the price tag on many Yanmars but am unsure about parts, service and reliable dealers in the upstate of South Carolina. I can purchase a Ford 8N for around $2800 and it appears to be in good shape. I like the look of these old classic tractors but of course I am concerned about the age, remembering that I do wish to use it not just look at it. Does anyone have good information on parts, service, dealers in the upstate of South Carolina (Greenwood, Greenville, Anderson and etc.) for Yanmar tractors and or advice concerning the Ford 8N. Thank you.
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| TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley 
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2002-09-14 42363
An N probably would do the work, but there wouldn't be 4wd, live PTO, or a CAT I hitch, and I forget if they had live hydraulics or not. The hydraulic pump also would be relatively small compared to modern compacts. These drawbacks do have solutions, and some people say the N's are more stable on side-hills than some newer designs.
A couple of years back I heard that NH dropped parts support for pre-62 or 63 Fords, which would include the N's. Since I haven't heard extreme howls of anguish, I imagine that parts are still fairly available through sources other than the NH parts system. I'd guess that a NH dealer who has a few customers with N's probably is aware of parts sources but it would be good to check parts availability and price.
In terms of tractor prices, I don't really know. However, there seems to be quite a bit of interest in restoring tractors like the N's right now. I imagine that the demand from restorers keeps the prices up a bit and that there'd be more work bang for the buck from 70's - 80's compact or utility tractors.
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| MRETHICS
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 190 Star City, Indiana
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2002-09-14 42371
I have no idea what people see in those old "N" Fords. But TomG is right, thier value seems to be holding for various reasons.
I will atest to their reliabilty, they were a good tractor in their day. They are extremly outdated. Just like old 2 cyl. Deeres
No Live PTO, poor hydraulics, no power steering. The list goes on.
I know that money is always an issue, but follow my logic here.
If you can afford to purchase 80 acres (In my home state of Indiana, that would cost at least $120,000), you can afford something nicer for yourself.
You should be able to find something used with FEL, live PTO, good hyd capacity, all for a price below $7500.
I seldom comment on people's financial situations. But this time I had to speak up. I have taken so many of those old Fords in on trade because people were disappointed with them after they used them.
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| x
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2002-09-14 42373
I believe that affordable equipment is in Anderson. They could probable get you any parts you need for a Yanmar ....
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 | Peters
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 3034 Northern AL
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2002-09-14 42374
Well here is my 2 cents work. An old Ford can be a very reliable tractor, but in general it is not maintainance free, you need to know which end of the wrench to spin. Also if you are going to rely on it to do heavy work and be ready just when you need it forget it.
Additionally if you are doing some real work you will find it drinks real gas. My Oliver Super 55 could consume about 5 gallons an hour or more. Conversely my small JD/Yanmar would burn less than 1 gallon diesel/hour.
My suggestion would be to go a little bigger,diesel and newer. You can find Ford 8000 and MF 265 for a little more than the 8N and they will be a lot better tractor.
For example I have a Massey 65 that I am going to sell. It uses less than 2 gallons per hour mowing and has far more power and powered up and down 3 pt lift, 2 speed PTO, power steering, remotes, class 1 and 2, 2 speed live PTO etc. I am looking for nearly the same price as the 8N, but it is a lot more tractor. ....
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| Don P.
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2002-11-25 45390
From my experience, get a diesel Japaneese tractor. I had an old Ford, worked on my father-in-laws old Ford. I would rather use a tractor than work on one. I ALWAYS have somebody follow me in my truck loaded with tools, parts, oil and gas when I used an "N".
Do not get me wrong, I like them, but they are very limited in use. If you get one anyway, stay away from the 9N and 2N mod. You have to remove the hood, gas tank and raditor to set the points, file the points of replace them! The only coil that fits is also part of the distributor cap, and parts people of VERY proud of them! I got ALL my parts from NAPA so I didn't care if Ford discontinued them. Be prepraired to run 140 Wt oil in the tranny, the hyd pumps are SO bad that 90wt will not lift the arms with nothing attached. This means you have to warm it up FOREVER on cool days before anything works. Also if you work them hard they get SO hot the gas boils in the tank and you get vapor lock worse than you have EVER seen. I bolted an ammo box on mine, filled it with sandwitches and snack food, when it stalled, I just got off and ate something until it cooled. Old folks said they did this when they were new. It's up to you but I know where I am headed!!!!!
I sold my 2N, my father-in-law gave his 8N away. I am looking for a Yanmar. If i was a collector, I would get me an okd ford and a Jonny popper. I need a real tractor so I am looking at Yanmars. ....
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| Larso1
Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1 Pueblo, CO
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2002-11-27 45459
Outdated means 2-cylinder, non-live PTO, no power steering? Sounds like you just described many/most Japanese tractors of the '80s. ....
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 | BillMullens
Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 649 Central West Virginia 
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2002-11-28 45505
I think Peters makes a good point. For $5000 you can get something like a Massey 135; 35 hp, diesel available, about 3500 lbs, reliable, parts available. Big enough and enough hydrualic power for just about any small farm job. It would be a little big for finish mowing. This is a tractor I just happen to be familiar with, I'm sure that there are many others of different brands that fit the same description.
I've used Dad's 8N; I'm restoring a 47 Farmall A. I like the older tractors, but they just require more work to use than a newer compact. It's overstating to say that you'd have to work on an 8N every time you used it; but it would require more downtime. If you get right down to it, the live pto and live hydraulics are great, but aren't necessary. Definitely in the "get them if you can afford them" category.
Also, don't forget that the newer tractors are more likely to be equipped with rollover protection.
Bill ....
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| BillMullens
Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 649 Central West Virginia
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2002-11-28 45506
I think Peters makes a good point. For $5000 you can get something like a Massey 135; 35 hp, diesel available, about 3500 lbs, reliable, parts available. Big enough and enough hydrualic power for just about any small farm job. It would be a little big for finish mowing. This is a tractor I just happen to be familiar with, I'm sure that there are many others of different brands that fit the same description.
I've used Dad's 8N; I'm restoring a 47 Farmall A. I like the older tractors, but they just require more work to use than a newer compact. It's overstating to say that you'd have to work on an 8N every time you used it; but it would require more downtime. If you get right down to it, the live pto and live hydraulics are great, but aren't necessary. Definitely in the "get them if you can afford them" category.
Also, don't forget that the newer tractors are more likely to be equipped with rollover protection.
Bill ....
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