Henry Ford was well known for his Model T and Model A, but after World War 2 the Ford 8N Tractor was released and eventually became one of the bestselling individual tractors of all time in America. Production of the 8N began in July of 1947. It is interesting to think of who may have owned and used this 1948 model on a regular basis, possibly being someone lucky enough to have returned from war. Solid and ready to do whatever you need, this 8N has a charming appearance, and seems like a reasonable deal for $1,500. Check it out here on craigslist out of Willis, Texas. Thanks to reader Rocco B. for the great Ford submission!
The 8N was the first tractor of the “N” series tractors to feature a 4 speed transmission. This 8N is ready for duty having a new battery, and the cooling system having recently been flushed and pressure tested. There also appears to be a new fuel line with a filter installed as well. The coolant hoses look supple and recent, and the engine is predominantly covered with paint.
Despite its weathered red paint, this tractor is in fair shape for its age. The sheet metal radiator shroud is a bit beat up, but I suppose the damage was an occupational hazard for this old Ford. The rear fenders are nice and appear damage free. The paint is a bit textured as it would appear someone brush painted this old tractor many moons ago. Rust looks to be at a minimum on this one as the only real visible rust is located on the manifolds. These tractors restored are stunning, but it is really a labor of love as classic tractors just don’t reflect values as classic cars do. Being an early 8N certainly makes this a cool and rare piece of American history. Are any of you a classic tractor fans?
There are some great old restored 8Ns out there, Ford made, like, a billion of them. I seem to recall one with a flathead V8 swap – probably for some high-speed plowing.
Flat head conversions were quite common on the N series tractors.I’ve even seen a few with Arden heads on them…lol
Here is an interesting Flat head conversion. It was part of my dads collection and is still in the family.
Well, yes and no. If it’s for a hobby, I’m all in, but it’s another story if you actually have to use one of these in the dilapidated condition most of these are in. The farm I live at ( for now) has a tractor like this. I think it was his grandfathers 1st tractor. It’s in sad shape, although still performs, kind of. The owner of the farm ( grandson) never takes care of the stuff, until it won’t go ( pretty typical of farmers), and the “Little Ford” got left behind. Standard issue after the war, many GI’s went back to their parents farm, bought tractors like this and never left. Some still used horses after the war. Great little tractor, you don’t have to plow 40 acres, they make belly mowers, and small loaders, perfect for big yards and such. For farming? This old gal seen enough turning dirt,( one of the toughest things for a tractor) and time for a cushy life cutting grass.
You can get a lot of attachments for that rear PTO, even modern ones: tillers, mowers, log splitters, saws. even generators. It makes for a very versatile machine.
I have it’s brother: the FURGESUN, it has OHV and works great for pulling engines, dragging lumps etc!
N o external hoses etc like a model A, as simple as possible!
Should not be painted all red. I think hood and fenders were gray. Know as a red belly Ford, I think.
Gray with blue trim as I remember.
Not this era. See photo
Learned to drive a 4 speed on my gramps farm on one of these in the early 60’s.Great little farm machine.
Ya just can’t wear them out, Most here in N Central Texas are on mowing duty now. Some have been bought by gentleman farmers,restored and do parade and hay ride duty. They are fun to play with,and easy to restore.
Check out YouTube. Judy garland driving one in “Summer Stock”. Grey on red.
Just a few add on’s for this one. Ford started out with the 9N in 39, they continued to 42 when they made some design changes to meet war time restrictions and called it a 2N that went to 47. today its almost impossible to tell them apart without checking the serial number, then came the 8n with some pedal position changes a little more power and instruments. The early 9Ns were really the first step away from the horses and a hell of an improvement since they could pull a 2 bottom plow all day. Side note here, Henry Ford teamed up with Ferguson for his three point hitch system that really revolutionized farming, they got into an argument and ford simply took it from him, quite a legal wrangle that obviously Ford won, 9ns actually have badges that say Ford with another that says ferguson system on the nose of the 9N
We are doing a 9N to sell at the shop right now. Nice clean little tractor with nearly new tires, a 12V conversion and back blade……will be real pretty when we are done.
Farmers are the epitome of recyclers, the piece holding up the blade(or weighing it down) is a walking beam from a Hendrickson suspension (or a copy of) from a dual rear axle dump truck or over the road tractor. I’ve replaced enough bushings in them I still have nightmares! Funny the things you come across.
Yep…….and it is simply balanced on a pin there.
This tractor was last used to plow the parking lot for a church.
Hey Jim, never under estimate the resourcefulness of a farmer. Proof why they never throw anything away. The site of that walking beam made my back ache one again.
My brother has one he restored along with a John Deere A. He’s don’t a complete restoration on them and uses them for outings and parades. Neighbor when I was a kid on the farm had a couple of them so I spent some time on them.
Most of the N series can be identified by looking at the left axle housing and on the housing will be the type and the year made. Funk made the V8 conversions so the tractors could be used to pull aircraft or just have the added power. We have a 39 9N that has spent most of its life idle and is inabove average condition. It has a spray rig which is almost never used.
This series of Ford started in 1939 with the 9N then the 2N in 1942 the 8N started in 1948 and was the same as the 9N and 2N but in 1950 Ford moved the distributor to the side of the engine from the front. Production ran until 1952 and was then replaced by the Jubilee series. The PTO needed an overrunning clutch add on if hooked up to a brush hog or it would keep pushing the tractor through the nearest fence when you pushed in the clutch.
N to them….sold a running/driving/stopping 2N for $900 with the optional Sherman trans two months back….those trans gave it every gear x2 and sold a same kinda 9N also with a Sherman and a great un rusted tool box….it had been sheltered in a lean to….this one is an earl 8N with the front mount distributor….really not hard to change points….the later 8N had the side mount distributor….you can easily tell them apart once you see what your looking at…
Strong little tractors, easy to work on and plenty of parts available.
Hardest job is splitting the tractor in half to replace the clutch.
It takes a certain skill set to operate one of these properly. An inexperienced guy can have a nasty accident, and end up singing soprano in the local church choir.
That’s true, Francisco. Straight cut gears ( no synchro’s) and hand throttle takes some finesse during gear changes. Also individual brakes ( if they work, that is) will spin this thing around on a dime, as the steering is pretty useless on dirt, and that’s another thing, the steering on these was always neglected, and road travel can be pretty tense.
My grandparents had one of these on their farm. They were vegetable farmers and used this for everything. When it came time to cut and harvest the hay I got to ride on the back where the sickle mower was to lower and raise the arms when my Grandpop motioned to. Then a few weeks later he pulled the hay rake with it and I worked the handles on that too. The only thing that bothered me back then was being out in the hot sun for too long. When they moved to a small track of land because of my Grandparents health, my Uncle put a snow blade on it to clear the driveway…but it still worked the land, just a smaller portion.
Hi patty, (pattyj???) gramps should have had one of these.
http://www.tractorshed.com/gallery/tphotos/c143607.jpg
Haha Howard, that’s funny, but usefull. We always wore long sleeved shirts when out in the sun for any length of time. I love these old Fords. Wish I had one.Howard, how have you been? Havent seen you on much latey.
I was just seeding 5 acres of grass day before yesterday with a similar (slightly later) version of this tractor. It is not surprising that the job for these really hasn’t changed much. The aren’t much fun to drive, shifting is a pain and you eat a lot of dust, heat and exhaust. But they do work for a fraction of the cost of a new unit. They are a HUGE improvement over horses.
I was just seeding 5 acres of grass day before yesterday with a similar (slightly later) version of this tractor. It is not surprising that the job for these really hasn’t changed much. The aren’t much fun to drive, shifting is a pain and you eat a lot of dust, heat and exhaust. But they do work for a fraction of the cost of a new unit if your back can stand up the discomfort. They are a HUGE improvement over horses.
If you have a problem shifting–maybe something’s wrong Mine shifts good , make your exhaust stack higher.