Ford N-Series Tractors: The Best Affordable Tractor Homesteading? Ford 8n, 9N, 2N, Tractors

In this video I talk about my experience with my 1952 Ford 8n Tractor over the last couple years and talk about how well it does as a homestead tractor working on various tasks, discussing parts availability, maintenance costs and ease of performing work on it, safety features, etc.

[@williamwalker1277]

I bought a Ford 8N tractor a few years ago. The reason I bought it is it's a lot easier to work on and you can find parts just about anywhere. I used it on my farm and it does almost everything I need to do from bush hoging to cutting hay, pulling logs to using a bottom plow.

[@williamtinlin9789]

I have my grandpa’s 1951 Ford 8N - that he bought in 1952. Restored in 2001. Today used mostly to run around town and haul the grandkids in the carryall. The more I drive it around the more I enjoy it 🙂

[@albob1775]

I just have a thing for these old Ford tractors so much so I own 3 of them. They are fun to work on and drive. I wish they could talk, to hear each ones history would be amazing. I use them on my farmett to take care of my horse pastures. Bought a used skid steer cheap so that takes care of the bucket issue.

[@dennisyoung4631]

Had a few minutes on one when I was about 14 - fifty years ago. If I had a few (dozen?) acres, I’d want something like this.

[@HabeasJ]

I went to look at an 8n yesterday about 2.5 hours from my homestead, bought it for $1600 and had them deliver it today for an extra $200. Also bought a 6'6" snowplow earlier this week for $200 that I'll mount up to the front next winter. Hard to beat that IMO, especially when you consider parts availability for repairs compared to similar tractors

[@user-kp8ny9gr7z]

As a friend of mine who has worked on the Ford N series tractors says, a lot of farmers paid for there farms with the N series tractors. That being said, the better option is the Ford 600 and 800 series tractors. They came with 4 and 5 speed transmissions, better hydraulics, live PTO, and more accessible distributor. Power steering also became available with these tractors, especially useful with a front end loader. Parts are readily available and relatively inexpensive and servicing is nearly as easy as the N series.

[@TomRiddle-ww5on]

I use my 8n every weekend. Garden, firewood, driveway fixing, bush hoggin . 12volt, 3 wire alt, still on points. Alot of tractor for $

[@danielchambers1958]

Good info Sir. I love my Kubota sub compact for the reasons you mentioned. That loader will increase your production a hundred times over . . .

[@DereksWorkshopAndProjects]

Yup. So many uses for a FEL. Can’t beat them.

[@darolfitch8917]

Good advice, you would know these things, after having used this tractor for 2 years. I think I could manage without the live PTO. But I would like to have a loader. I have seen these old tractors with a loader, however, your right they look cumbersome. have also been told, if you want a loader don't buy a tractor without it. A loader will cost as much as the tractor itself. That being said for the money I think you have a nice old tractor. I love these old tractors, and they are still a very capable tractor. Thanks for the video.

[@DereksWorkshopAndProjects]

Definitely good capable tractors. Very thankful for mine.

[@stevenjordan6389]

1943 Ford 9N with 2 speed rear end got it in 1996.Kansas boy.

[@iancarmstrong]

Great video, great channel. I have an 8n and it has worked well for me. In Southwest Michigan, not so far from where they spawned, 8n's are all around. FB Marketplace has 10+ at any given time, and they range from POS for $500 to somebody's restored one for $3,000 at the high end. I have enough land to keep it, but if I wanted to put it back out on the market, I would probably be able to get back what I paid for it. That in itself is a pretty sweet proposition. I have also learned a lot about ICE and vehicles in general working on this tractor, and been able to transfer those skills to my pickup trucks and other modern vehicles. That is also an added value. The "best" is always tough- certainly it should be in the Top 5 for homestead tractors.

[@angus4202]

i bought my 9n for 1300 put $500 into it overhaul it and am into it for around $1800 total and have already made my money back fixing my property up with the $200 blade and $200 rear bucket i got for it

[@jerrymiller8313]

Ford made over 500,000 of this series by far the best selling tractor of all time. Mine is a 1948 8N

[@Trumptrain2024Vance]

I own a Kubota and 755 Deere! I want a Ford 9N

[@DereksWorkshopAndProjects]

I don’t think I could justify the expense of two tractors nor justify it to my wife haha!

[@richardbarber4444]

Wants, Needs and cravings are so different. Don't get a tractor without live PTO.

[@JerryWick]

My 1945 2n with a Dearborn trip loader does all I need it to on my small 5 acre wooded property

[@DereksWorkshopAndProjects]

That’s awesome man. If it works good for you, that’s great. I won’t deny I wish I had one on my 8N. I just am not going to put one on it now even if I could find one for cheap.

[@Dextamartijn]

I miss my 8N I traded in my 8N for the Dexta because of the live PTO. You can get ROPS for the older tractors.

[@brockdelorenzo7505]

I am new to this and found a great deal, but everyone is telling me to stay away from the older tractors and get a heavier, newer, one with live PTO, etc. I was thinking it is easier to work on, cheaper, a fun, hobby, and if done correctly, can still be safe. Would love some thoughts because my budget is around 2500.

[@DereksWorkshopAndProjects]

If you can find a new ford. 60’s - 70’s that would probably be a good idea. But it depends on where you are in the country. Some places, that’s the going rate for an old Ford N series tractor. Other places, you could get something much better and newer for that price and others you won’t even get an old N series tractor for that much, like my area.

[@michaelforde1000]

Yes they are

[@Ray-fw3sm]

What is the piece called that you connect your top link to on the tractor. We have a 90 degree piece but it doesn’t seem right because the top link moves up and down. Is there a straight piece that I can connect straight to the top link.

[@AllAmericanDreamChaser]

A safety concern for me is the lack of a roll cage/bar. I have mountainous property in Arizona. Have to be extremely careful on hills.

[@DereksWorkshopAndProjects]

I also live in Arizona. Northeast part. But the terrain here is more mesas and rolling hills. I understand why that’s a concern.

[@acesoftrul3z]

St. Johns here, same concerns as you. though this thing is way more stable than a newer yanmar tractor i used to own

[@user-sw4dm1qj2x]

Dang did I just see a John Deere four wheeler lol I'm a Deere person crap I want one now

[@DereksWorkshopAndProjects]

It was a Chinese quad with green plastics and yellow wheels haha.

[@DereksWorkshopAndProjects]

What tractor did you end up picking up for your homestead? Why?

[@CliffsideStables]

Ford 340 Industrial Tractor (47 horsepower) was my first tractor. Added a John Deere 650 (18hp). Just upgraded to a Kioti RX7320 (73hp) with a cab. They all have their pros & cons. Tim in northern TN

[@DereksWorkshopAndProjects]

Nice! How do you like the Kioti? That’s one brand I’ve been thinking about going with when I “upgrade” from the N.

[@CliffsideStables]

@@DereksWorkshopAndProjects my Kioti RX 7320 had 131 hours on it when I purchased it. I have put 17 hours on it in the last seven weeks and have had no problems. Really enjoy it - especially the air conditioning in these 90° summer days.

[@dennisyoung4631]

“An ersatz mule for your fourteen acres….”

[@jp3eku]

Nice video, but you need stabilizer bars and lift limiting chains BAD.... yikes

[@michaelforde1000]

A tractor is a tractor not a loader

[@DereksWorkshopAndProjects]

Yes.

[@curtisdowling3773]

Bullshit , the 8n can be adapted to any small loader at afarely minimal cost. A great starter tractor !!!

[@DereksWorkshopAndProjects]

It is a great starter tractor but as for the loader, I disagree. There will be fabrication involved, pump to buy, parts to reinforce. Loaders are expensive too. “Any small loader” is going to cost a decent chunk of money, even used, on their own. It’s easier and probably roughly the same cost to just buy a tractor with the loader built for it, already on it. Also, the loaders built for the Ns are few and far inbetween in my area, I’ve only seen one come up for sale in a decade in my area and it came with the tractor.

[@DereksWorkshopAndProjects]

$7000 for the package (came with a blade) I’ll add.