NTR: What would YOU do with a 8N Tractor?

[Bierkan]

I know it's not truck related per se, but it seems this city boy is inheriting a F*** 8N tractor. It's all there and runs. I kinda want to keep it and do something "different" with it. Not sure what. Thought about doing the Flathead V8 conversion to it. Lowering it with different rear wheels and dropped spindles?? Flat black with flames paint job? I don't know.

Anyway, if you found yourself in this situation, other than selling it for truck part $$, what would you do?

*edit* BTW, I'm an engineer at Deere, so this is *kinda* sacrilidge for me to be even talking about it. :-)

[SCHRUMGMC]

Is there any photos of the Tractor ?

[Dan in Pasadena]

Sell it and buy another TRUCK!!

But if you're set on keeping it, how about restoring it, then putting it on a vintage trailer behind a restored dually A or TF truck?

[Bierkan]

I have pics, just not on this computer.
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It's my grandfather's tractor. He's still with us so I have time.

[1project2many]

Ooh... Ooh....

Repower with a JD two cyl Popper! Or an early or less common diesel from JD.

[RootBeer 6117]

This, small block Chevy of course.

[Bierkan]

Nice. Would need to be flathead to bolt up to the transaxle.
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[mr48chev]

Restore it to a nice looking working condition and actually use it on occasion. In this area they are still extremely popular with guys who have small acreage hobby farms and don't need a lot of equipment. The bad part is that they don't have live hydraulics unless someone has installed an axillary hydraulic pump so you can't usually run hydraulic things with them. Things such as log splitters, powered hydraulic presses or something that runs off a hydraulic motor.
You can also hook a mower to it or put a snow blade on it and being able to have a snow blade on it might be worth keeping it around. Plus you can always drag a truck around the yard with it.

If you just intend to screw it up and make some freak thing out of it sell it to someone who will appreciate it for what it is.

[Speedbumpauto]

They're very popular here also, and have a category in many car shows. I've seen some gorgeous restored ones. The 3 point hitch is pretty versatile but adding a discrete hydraulic system could be pretty sweet.

[coralhead]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

Restore it to a nice looking working condition and actually use it on occasion. In this area they are still extremely popular with guys who have small acreage hobby farms and don't need a lot of equipment. The bad part is that they don't have live hydraulics unless someone has installed an axillary hydraulic pump so you can't usually run hydraulic things with them. Things such as log splitters, powered hydraulic presses or something that runs off a hydraulic motor.
You can also hook a mower to it or put a snow blade on it and being able to have a snow blade on it might be worth keeping it around. Plus you can always drag a truck around the yard with it.

If you just intend to screw it up and make some freak thing out of it sell it to someone who will appreciate it for what it is.

I strongly agee...... I have a '50 Ferguson TO-30 I use a small farm tractor. (Rebuilt of course)

[Bierkan]

Here's photos of the 8N along with the 40 High Crop that Grandpa also has. Both of these were "daily drivers" at one point when he kept them at the Assisted Living home. He's 98 and we decided last year not to bring them up there anymore given his driving habits (like forgetting stop signs). Anyway, the 40 goes to my Aunt or one of her kids.

As you can see, the 40 is in great condition. It was grey and red until two years ago when he drove it in a 4th of July parade. He wants to repaint it this summer.

[Bierkan]

I wonder if I can find white wall tires for the rear?

[coralhead]

That John Deere is in pretty good shape and a collector would probably want that. If it were me I would not do anything on the lines of selling them untill your granpa was gone. They seem to be his pride and joy. I would repaint the 8N for him back to factory and see his eyes light up.

[Bierkan]

Nothing is happening while he's still alive from a "title" standpoint. He wants me to take the tractor now, but I don't have a place to keep it. And, as spry as he is, he and I are repainting it together. He maintains three gardens, builds birdhouses, quilts and generally keeps busy every day.

And my uncle and aunt are JD fans, so I don't see the 40 getting sold.

That doesn't prevent me from planning. I do like the flat head option as that was a period correct modification, as was hydraulics.
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[mr48chev]

My mom's got one of those Ford 8 or 9 N's sitting at her place that her companion had before he passed that I need to fix so it can be used. it's been sitting for probably ten years and maybe fifteen. It has a 6 ft blade with it that comes in real handy when we get snow here.

Personally I'd paint that tractor back it's original colors and get a 6 ft blade for the back (which he probably has) and the first good snow storm next winter you will really appreciate having it.

[Sillyoldman]

Get rid of the stock 48's and roll on some 62's. Manure-izzle!

[Ron 586]

There is a lot of ways to go with grandpa's tractor. You can get over/under aux. transmissions that can make them real stump pullers or a real speed buggy. Check out this site for some good ideas.

http://www.oldfordtractors.com/

[meatwagon83]

put a ford flathead v8 on it! there was a company that did this conversion back in the 50s

[no moa]

TURBO TRACTOR BURNOUTS!! - YouTube

Go big or go home!!!

[Jonboy]

When my granddad restored his, I painted flames on it. The look on his face was worth the aggrivation of repainting it.

[Tx Firefighter]

I have a 48 model myself. I dearly love Ford tractors. They work well for some purposes but I sure cant wrap my mind around the rat rod theme.
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