I'm very blessed to have picked up a Massey-Ferguson 165 with a loader for $1000 at an estate sale. $50 brush cutter. Free grader blade that I found abandoned in the woods. Homemade boom pole. I just rebuilt the distributor and replaced a couple hydraulic lines last year, so it should be good for another 60 years
Wow! Ford 8-N! Was my transportation one summer. I was 12 years old in Java Lake NY. Plowed the roads. Pulled the city people out of ditches in the winter. Had a set of tracks with with set of wheels for "boogies" between front and rear tires. Took the radiator out it one summer for my Toyota Corona that had a bad radiator. The hood was bungied down cuz the tractor radiator was 4 inches higher that the Toyota's. My dad had many attachments. Was a GREAT tractor! Thanks for the memories!
My grandfather had an 8N just like that and I drove it at a very early age! Many years later I got a Ford Jubilee that was very similar. Loved them both!
I grew up on a Wisconsin dairy farm in the 50s and 60s. While there, I spent hundreds of hours on an 8N. Tasks included cutting hay, pulling hay and silage wagons. disking with a three point disk, spreading manure, baling hay, raking hay and more. I have a fond spot in my heart for that tractor. It was a 1950. There is a picture of me pm the seat at one year old with my parents standing on either side on our front lawn when it was delivered. Thanks for the video.
I really hope you two start finding your youtube journey again, you are such amazing people and this channel is just incredible. You are true inspiration to me and many others! Kind regards
Excellent information! Even though I grew up on a cattle farm with a ford 3000 I have done a lot of what you demonstrated. Your presentation to possible homesteaders is spot on. Thanks for sharing, people will definitely gain much needed knowledge from your efforts.
I've had an 8N for 30+ years and have gotten a lot of use out of it. One thing I learned the hard way was to not place my thumbs around the steering wheel, but instead to keep them on the same side as my fingers - because those old tractors don't have power steering, ruts or bumps can really cause the steering wheel to suddenly spin one way or the other, causing some real pain. I'd love to get a 3 pt dirt bucket or boom pole after watching your video...I hadn't realized the boom pole could be a good way to move rocks. The 4-wheeler loaded with wood was scary top heavy...wouldn't it be better to use the trailer with the 4-wheeler but keep it lightly loaded? stay safe you guys!
I used to drive a tractor in Greece in orange groves. It would be rainy and terribly muddy. I'd have the trailer loaded with orange crates get to the end of a tree line and would put those gears into some high/low configuration fire up the revs pop the clutch and brake the left wheel intermintably and U-turn that rig around the tree into the next tree line with mud flying. It was like getting paid to have fun doing muddy tractor trailer pulls. There were time though when the mud would win. Especially when loaded full of hundreds of orange crates.. We'd have to off load everything . ..good to see you guys ♥
Quite possibly the single best comparison video I have ever watched on CZcams, my wife and are currently looking for a smallholding/homestead so this could not have been any better, well done both of you, Amazing, Thank you!
8Ns are getting old, and with old you get dangerous/PITA like Live PTO, manual trans, two wheel drive, bad brakes (even in the best condition), and very rarely do the they have a FEL. Smaller tractors you will expect to do “small farm” stuff, which means back and forth (a LOT) and I really wish I went with a hydrostatic trans.
@@jjuggernaut3218I agree with your comment. Nobody watching this video should go out looking to buy a Ford 8N. They're terrible tractors. Death traps, really. Everyone who has been inspired to attempt homesteading by watching CZcams videos, should go buy newer, more modern tractors. Please, CZcams wannabes, don't do to the price of 8Ns what y'all have done to the price of land, full-size vans, etc. You know you're at fault for a lot of the inflation, right? You're just gonna try to sell everything in a few years when you find out it's hard work, anyway. Why put yourselves through all the hassle of failing. Take a vacation, instead. Go camp in the wilderness for a few weeks and get it out of your systems, like city people are supposed to do. Don't price the rest of us out of the life we've been living the whole time. Stop gentrifying country living. You're only helping to destroy something you claim to believe in.
I disagree. I can buy a nicely restored 8N, 601, TO 20/30 Ferguson or (my choice) WD-45 Allis-Chalmers for 1/4th the cost of the Kubota and they will still be performing their chores when the Kubota is junk in some scrap yard. The OP can purchase every part on that 8N still to this day. What parts will be available for the Kubota in 75 years, and what will it's resale value be? JMHO
Interesting, useful, and fun. I agree with you about the tractor, especially since I never used a four-wheeler (though I would have loved to, as a boy and young man). A 1948 Ford 8N tractor is a miracle on this earth. As you have made clear, it is definitely the place to begin for the homesteader. A 4-wheeler is nice; a tractor is a necessity. Great video. Thank you!
Grew up on a small farm, Dad had an 8N that he traded in on a 1966 Ford 4000 (3 cylinder split-grille blue tractor). Both were great tractors but the 8N is such an iconic tractor, a true classic. Loved the video!
What a sweetheart of a lady. She's just adorable! You're obviously a hard worker and multitalented guy too! I hope you two have fun and do well with the youtube videos! Good luck and god bless!
Though I don't have a 'homestead' to do a lot of the mentioned tasks/chores... I found my 8N to be very handy for moving trailers around my property. I installed a 'quick hitch' on the 3 point to make hooking up different attachments (trailer ball/reese receiver, brush hog, etc). a LOT easier. Now IF I had a more remote area...... I think this video presentation was well thought out when it comes to the various tasks and the pros and cons of the machinery demonstrated. Thank you for sharing.
I've worked 8 and 9n Ford tractors on grandpa's 40 acres pulling trailers, logs and dead vehicles. Used brush-hog and posthole diggers. Also the hydrollic wood splitter, grampa pulled the leaves, I worked the wood. We also used the posthole digger without the drill, ouger as a boom. I love seeing tractors at work.
To all those out there who care about Sy. His situation has become very perilous. In the interest of full disclosure, Sy has a cannabis charge in Virginia because he was making medicine for his brother and others in need. His brother survived brain and testicular cancer because of medicine produced from cannabis. Over the past few years he has been working hard put that behind him and start his life over. He has been trying to help everyone out there though knowledge shared on this You Tube page, as well as products produced and sold on his Etsy page, while trying to survive. Unfortunately, on Tuesday of this week 16 armed US Marshals showed up at the homestead. Fortunately, Sy wasn't there at the time and was not taken into custody. We are reaching to all who care about him and asking for help and support. Please comment on all You Tube videos showing your support. I don't know where he is right now but hopefully he is safe. Thoughts and prayers out to you brother.
I am 70 years old in Florida and I have had 4-wheelers and now I have a diesel tractor that weighs around 2000 lbs. My property is several acres and the foliage is at least 10 times more dense than what you have in your northern woods. On top of that, I have lots of vines that are two inches in diameter and larger. Last year I decided to cut some roads using only my tractor, bush hog and a chainsaw. First, my tractor that is slightly smaller than yours, 200 pounds less would just drive over most of your saplings and the bush hog would chew most of them up on your property. My tractor went through my vegetation easily and I had to cut a few trees in which I put a tow strap on those logs and pulled them out to a field with no problem. Some trees were full of vines and would not fall so I would cut them high, put a strap on the upper piece and the tractor would break the tree at the cut and pull the tree and vines out to the field. I forgot to mention I had a box blade that I used like a dozer in reverse and push trees into a pile. In my case, a 4 wheeler would be useless. As far as anything in a bag like your coal and in my case fertilizer or animal feed, I pile bags on any impliments that are already on the tractor. You can stack bags on a disk, box blade, bush hog, etc. If my front end is light, I either put weight on the front or steer with the brakes and keep the impliment close to the ground so the tractor does not flip. I would rather take the 4-wheeler for a ride on the beach but the saltwater is rough on them.... I have decades of experience with tractors and 4-wheelers. The only advantage to them is that they are fast and can go anywhere. A tractor goes anywhere but slowly.
Very good to see the value of both machines put into perspective. Both are winners in their respective places. No different from knowing when you need to use a hatchet and when to use a knife I guess. Both have their value, trick is knowing each tools limitations or applications. What I was most impressed with was the expertise you both displayed in operating the machines at their highest level of safety (beyond actually lol) and all without protective equipment (helmets ...etc). This expertise is not inherent in our genes, it is learned from the University of Give It a Go and congratulations to all of us graduates that are still alive and all together to celebrate that. Im a Maori dairy farmer and novice woodturner and new subscriber to your channel and Ive been dairy farming in NZ and Ecuador for many years. In this time I have learned to use 4 wheelers and tractors to their outer limits through much trial and error and I understand very well that the resulting "expertise" I now possess has come from pushing the safety bar upwards yet with the presence of mind to stop when it was necessary to do so as I learned the limitations. It reminds me straight away as the following of the dark curve when carving a wooden spoon, hand placement, and use of force in the strikes of the hatchet, those lessons are well utilized in life generally and certainly machine operating. Well done you guys :)
@@CarvingAPath Enjoyed the video, if l was in this position l would choose a Unimog 401, not a nippy as your 4 wheeler but easily as capable as the tractor, plus it has 4 wheel drive and more importantly an enclosed cab for when the weather takes a turn for the worse!!
Excellent, excellent, excellent video! I have personally struggled with this exact same dilemma on my property. I have a 1953 Ferguson TO-30 And a 2015 Honda rancher 400 4 x 4. The Ferguson has lost half to 2/3 of the tread however it has heavy liquid in the tires. My ATV is stock and I bought it brand new. simply because nothing is black-and-white, I’ve combined the two methods that you’ve described. I have a 4 x 8 trailer with a 1000 pound axle that I use behind the ATV to go collect firewood and bring up out of the valley to my house at the top of the hill. The tractor struggles because it’s only 2 Wheel drive and I’m almost ready to buy new tires but the tread is still over 1 inch tall, however in these difficult supply chain problems I simply cannot order new tires. Therefore I have found that my Ferguson tractor and Honda foreman ATV are almost completely equal. I have found that the difference comes out in the fact that the Ferguson can power the 60 inch finish mower to mow everything quickly and the Honda ATV can just go get ice tea quickly for the operator! So the answer is murky!
I ran into a guy at an equipment sale years ago that focused on 8n Ford's. He had scores of them and was doing a pretty good business for himself fixing up and repairing the old tractors. They don't make tractors to last like they did when that ford was made.
I got the $500 Harbor freight trailer and built a deck and stake sides for it. It hauls my Polaris 800x2 and when I get up to the land I hook the trailer to the back of the Polaris. It hauls everything! The most fun was when I broke through the ice in 18" of water hauling firewood and just kept going!
Again, thanx for letting us be a part of your jouney. I´d like to see some more spoon carving, since I´ve picked up Spooncarving as a hobby recently...also partly thanx to you guys.
Just came across this video, long after the fact. Being an aging baby boomer and "old school" and am rooting for the Ford 8N. Of course I see advantages on both sides. My only minor quibble with an 8N is the lack of "live" PTO. I grew up learning to drive in the 60's with an 800 Ford (live power PTO clutch) which was newer and much better when using the PTO. Great show! Thanks! S. Carolina
To me an even worse aspect of the N-Series Fords is the lack of live hydraulics. To me, live hydraulics are a requirement for a tractor while a live PTO is a convenience. Once you get used to being able to raise your 3-point with the clutch disengaged you'll never want to use a tractor with "dead" hydraulics.
Hey its been a while since your last video hope all is well there . Look forward to them full of good information very talented people love your music too . Well hope all is well . hope we see a video soon . be safe.
A tractor opened a complete new world to me. It is a great peace of equipement. My father only had a 2 wheel tractor and I started with a 2 wheel tractor. Too bad that my father was no longer around when I got my tractor.
Your 8N is a nice tractor and should last for many more years. Another criteria to consider comparing is lifespan. Presently thereis still an abundance of parts for your 74 year old tractor, but what is the likelihood of parts for the 4-Wheeler being available when it is 74 years old? Not very likely. I think you have a good set-up and made good choices in equipment, and in a partner. Y'all seem well matched and happy! Carry-On, and Best Wishes to you both.
Well, I have very little experience on a tractor, but I sure enjoyed the information I received in your video. And it was quite entertaining as well. Thank you.
I’d get some suitcase weights for the front of the Ford. I have an 8N and a Kawasaki Brute Force 650. I live in pretty rough terrain in Montana and you’re spot on with the admonitions you say in your video. Great video BTW.
I really enjoy your videos..as does my wife..and my kids.. I hope you start making more of them. There's so much BS on youtube And your videos are a nice break from the crap that keeps coming out.. Just wanted you to know I appreciate your videos..and I'm sure im not alone. I look forward to more vids.. Peace to you and yours.. David......
Nice comparison. We use both very often and don't think I could go without either now.I find the four wheeler much better in the snow and ice than the tractor tho.
The ice and snow was a topic we forgot to add. But We agree the 4 Wheeler Does Way better in those conditions. we just leave the tractor in the shed when it is icy and snowy. Anyways good point
You showed it well, 4-wheeler good for light work, tractor better for hard work and even better when one can obtain a tractor with FEL and back-hoe but thats big bucks..... One of the things I like about your videos is your not a rich homesteader with 2-3 tractors and 4 wheelers with all the jungle jangles, your just trying survive the best you can like I am.......
Ford 8N... My parents had one when I was a teenager, and I've driven that thing a lot. I'm now in a position where I'm consideering a tractor, and the new 4wd, frt end loader, hydrostat tractors DO look attractive, at 5X to 10X the cost of an 8N. But you've given me some new ideas for the 8N. I never knew about boom poles. To me, that's a game changer. I wanted a FE loader to do some of the things a boom pole can do. You've got me considering an 8N. FE loaders DO look useful, but at the same time, as you said, there just aren't that many big jobs around the homestead. If I need to move a pile of dirt or rocks, I can take my time. I don't need the speed of a FE loader. Thanks for the video. BTW, I was really surprised at the turning radius of the 8N. I guess those split brakes help more than I expected.
Put some tire chains on that 8n and you will see the capability increase dramatically. I grew up in the 80's with the exact tractor. My Dad rebuilt it completely in the late 60's. He put new rear tires with chains on it at that time and the chains were never off of it until he finally sold it around 2007. There was nothing on that tractor that was not wore out except the chains. But it never failed. I have seen it plow alot of snow with a rear blade and both front tires off the ground and being steered with the brakes. It just never quit!
We have both, on a heavy job the tractor shines but we use the four wheeler day in and day out, 20 - 30 times for every one time on the tractor. Would sure love to hear some more of your guitar playing and singing. Sure enjoy your videos.
Love your 8N tractor - we hardly ever see any of those here in the UK - they're all Grey Fergusons over here. Be careful on that sloping ground, they're not the most stable machine on hills. Greetings
Nice comparison, but I would never attempt to load a four wheeler like that when it could put a small trailer with double the load and none of the steering or stability issues.
Great video. I had a 1956 Ford 640 (son of the 8N) and it was a handy workhorse. Used it for 15 years here on our "gentleman's farm". Opened up several plots with a sub-soiler and two-bottom plow. It did not owe me a cent but started to need some mechanical attention (compression, clutch, etc.). I passed it along to someone willing and with the tools & ability to work on what it needed and bought a used 4WD JD 1025R w/60 hours (diesel). Not as strong, but so much nicer for features and ease of use (especially with a quick-hitch 3-point and quick attach/detach front bucket - another big plus that the 640 lacked). Be sure to get a light pallet fork attachment. Damn handy. I never imagined I'd find so many uses for it. You are so correct that a tractor is NOT an ATV. I'd prefer not to test the ROPS. About 1/2 of my property is inaccessable to a tractor. A saddle between two hills with a spring-raging creek down the middle; but I have been eyeing potential road/trail paths that may change that. Keep the loads light and low (and use counter-weights) and tractors (especially 4WD) are not bad on trails. There is where they each have great uses.
Enjoyed this video. I will agree for sure for clearing land and building a homestead the tractor is the better choice. We have used our Ford 3000 diesel to drag logs to our Sawmill, brush hog to clear and maintain the land, harrow disk, box blade the driveway, use the pallet forks to move heavy items and so much more. We would not have near as much cleared to build our cabin were it not for the tractor.
Your outstanding presentation was clear, concise, objective, and both critical and complementary as warranted. You serve as an excellent reminder that this country is sorely in need of more boots and jeans than it is of suits and ties. Well done, sir.
I bought a 1950 Ford 8N just like yours when I was clearing my lot and getting it ready for my new home. It was a cheap workhorse. I paid $1800 for it and it pulled logs, bush-hogged, and scraped the lot level. It is easy to fix and I cheaply converted it to a 12 volt system so I could use a winch with it. A 4 wheel ATV is just a toy compared to a tractor in my opinion.
I like your video. I moved large ash trees with a logging chain and 8n or to30 Harry Ferguson. I usually stripped the logs on site but did the cutting and splitting back at the house. I kept the center of gravity low by using the draw bar instead of the boom pole.
Like to see you all cutting up and having some fun. If you ever want to pull more with these old tractor and one of your rear wheels are spinning touch the brake of the spinning wheel to make the other one turn with it in hopes you'll get BOTH wheels spinning and pulling together.
I was raised by my grandparents whom were homesteaders and they did everything with horses and jackasses until they saved and bought they're first tractor which was made from a model T pickup then they upgraded to a fird 9N and slowly bought the attatchments they're long gone now but I still have the old tractors and keep them running and in good shape but yes need both but tractor is the better start machine
Great video. I have both as well because each job requires something different. Having both is excellent. I have a small utility trailer that hooks to the back of my four wheeler, that’s great for collecting firewood, I leave it on 99% of the time. It’s also a nice setup for when I have the PTO wood chipper on back of tractor, I shoot the chips right into the trailer then take them where I need them with the four wheeler.
Informative video with real life experiments to prove the strengths and weakness of each. Good job putting this video together. Bought a 41 9N a few months ago. Mostly original and quit running. Electrical problems. 12V conversion took care of that. Starts easy now and runs like a new one at 81 years old. I also have a B7100DT Kubota 4X4 (80's) I bought about 15 or so years ago. Typical Kubota diesel, runs like a champ and lots of power for 16hp.
A great compination. Having both machines. . When I had my acreage I couldn't afford either. Now I have 2 small yard tractors and I live on a bigger city lot. It is backwards, I should have had any kind of machine other than my back ARGH!!!. Thanks i just subbed.
When we bought our homestead we started out with a atv with the 48" blade, and found out rapidly in order to maintain the land and do needed projects the atv couldn't cut it, but a tractor like that wouldn't work either, and renting a skidsteer or dingo for 6 months would buy a new subcompact 4x4, it's was a big bite money wise but has payed for it's in two years, the only attachments bought were a box blade with teeth , mini stump bucket or power shovel , clamp on brush fork and a carryall, the brush hog was purchased with the tractor. now the atv sets and is hardly used. I wanted to just get an old tractor with a bucket like yours but finding one was difficult and even in that horsepower range couldn't mach the performance of the our subcompact that's 4x4. I admire your abilities to get your tasks done with your limited resources and that's what is most important, think of what people did with only a mules and hand picks and shovels. well humans are a spoiled lot.
One easy fix hook a trailer behind it. Of course you’re not gonna haul a big load on the four wheeler mercy a nice little utility trailer would fix that issue. Just saying love the Ford I have my grandpa’s 52. 8n you can’t kill those things. His is all original 6 V charging system original engine. The only thing I’ve changed on it is points condenser carburetor, rewired it, lightbulbs ignition switch rear hoops, tires, front tires tubes, and maybe a wheel bearing and seal other than that that thing is still original oh and the exhaust L O L got to love those old tractors. I got the classic Tractor bug along time ago. Yours is a beauty.
I have had my 1985 Ford 1710 front loader tractor now for 5+ years, I'm moving to TN from CT in about 3 years or so and its definitely coming with me. That tractor is pretty much unstoppable, it has 4-wheel drive and power steering as well. I will certainly pick up a Yamaha 4-wheeler for exactly the points you made here, you really need both on a property of 10 acres or more and I'm looking at 30+ acres myself
My 1990 Moto4 250 hauls a 4x8' trailer full of wood (roughly the same size as that tractor hauled) and I have no brakes on the damn thing lol.. Had some close calls but for a 250cc ATV that's only 2 wheel drive, she's got some amazing power.
Its a ways away from where you all live but Thomas Bandsaw Mills in Maine make excellent A-frame log arch skidding/towing implement. Helped my uncle haul timber on his property with a 4x4 and its a great blend of the two areas youre talking about.. the non accessible by tractor areas are able to be skidded with the 4x4 and log arch. EDIT: about 40 seconds later you mention this exact piece of equip.
that definitely a different video i am sure you guys had some good laugh making that one and some good enjoyment i do have a 1953 ford but don't have a 4 wheeler but i use lawn mower tractor for my smaller shore and i hand up using that one more often than the big tractor well you guys have a great day and keep on enjoying yourself
I would put half the load on the wheeler just for traction and use a small trailer for more wood. Extremely dangerous tippy on the four wheeler the way you loaded it. There are small wood trailers at northern tools for example.
Great video love the Ying and Yang you two have. We also are starting a homestead and we bought a 4wheeler first and then got a 48 ford 8n also. The only thing I find with the ford 8n ( aka Miss Daisy ) is that she is light in the rear end. We have a loader on her and without weighing down her rear she is a little dangerous on our hilly property. Working on loading her tires and making a counter weight. Ps we also are starting a you tube channel The O’SHITZHOMESTEAD. Keep up the great work.
I grew up on a farm and we always had N Series tractors. I love those old Fords..they're amazing and can do so much. In the next day or so, I'm going to pick up a, new to me, Ferguson TO-20, which is a very similar, though slightly different, tractor to the N-Series tractors. It's been a while since I've been on an old farm tractor, and I look forward to doing it again! Great video..and continued good luck!
Greetings! I just found this today, a year after everyone else. I understand Dad had an 8N before I can remember, but there was a Ferguson, then a Ford 2000 and 800 series, the latter of which was traded for a 4000. An Allis-Chalmers WD-45 was on the farm all that time. I remember us felling enough trees for a sawmill operator to mill us lumber for a livestock handling corral, and we dragged and lifted using those 3-point booms to get the logs on our hay wagons to haul the mile or so to where the mill was set up. Some of those logs took us both to get up and loaded. I concur that you exceeded capacity on both the ATV and the trailer! You had more guts than I would teetering on the ATV on those rocks. Our 6x10’ trailer is rated for something like 1100 lbs, so yours is probably 2/3 that? But 1/3 cord of green hardwood is 1600-1800 lbs, according to the one person who has checked that I’ve seen on CZcams. If that was hardwood, your trailer was probably somewhat heavier than the 8N. Yeah, that could get dicey on downhill gravel. Glad it didn’t cut totally loose on you.
No contest in my book you cannot go wrong with an old Ford tractor but then again I have like three of them (at the moment) with an old John Deere 1020 as well. I have an 8N, 860 Diesel and a 640 right now but I add extras when I see one for sale. I can still move 5x5 round bales and hay my fields with em if I need to. Usually I keep three different attachments one em to grab when needed too. I also routinely travel to estate sales as far down as your neck of the woods and pick up all kinds of extra's for them. My latest haul was a side mounted corn picker/combine attachment and a stock front loader that still used the rope pull bucket like your 3 point scoop. They are also more stable feeling than a row cropper front :) Also you should look into an old style splitter attachment, you can pick them up for next to nothing since most people are afraid of them these days.
The best of both worlds, in my opinion, is a sub compact or compact tractor (example JD 1025r). It can do both tasks well and can be bought used for a somewhat reasonable price. Good video 👍
I envy folks like you who can be self sufficient on their own land. After "working for the man" for 40+ years, I'm too old to start now. I sure enjoy watching the videos, though. Those "State Fair Showroom Condition" 8N in my area are going for $4k-$6k in my area. There are two in poor condition for $1.5k (missing parts).
The Ford 2N, 9N and 8N built rural America while the Ford Model T & A put America on wheels. These old Ford tractors are still in wide use everywhere in the American Continent!
when we 1st bought 40 acres we had a garden tractor with a loader. way too small but between that and the garden tractor mower with a small trailer we, mostly, got by. then we got a 4 wheeler and an old skid loader. now some more tractors. but your right on the money about the 4 wheeler for "running". run and get gas, drinks, chainsaw tools, just run back and forth to where the tractor is working.
One thing to consider too is if you buy a tractor you need a way to get it to your property. If you don't have a decent size trailer for your truck that might be a challenge. So four wheeler might make more sense until you can accumulate more toys such as a trailer. I ended up buying a four wheeler but it's been sitting in my garage at home since I kind of realized I can't do much with it before I clear my land. It's also very sketchy loading and unloading it in the truck, so I only want to do that one more time and that's going to be to bring it to the property once I have a garage built there.
There isn't much my 48 Ford 8N can't do. This tractor has been in my family since it was bought new. My Grand Pa's brother bought it new in Alabama, not sure when my grand pa got it from him, probably in the late 60's early 70's. I acquired the tractor from him in 1994 and hopefully it will go to either my grand daughter or one of my grand sons. Man I hope they don't list it on Craig's list after I'm gone!!
It was kinda not fair with the atv having bald tires and the 8n with good tread but even if the treads on the atv were new it still can’t compete with the 8n. If a person could afford both they’d make life on the homestead that much easier. Nevertheless, if I had to choose one it’s be the 8n. Because of its versatility. It can still do deliveries that the atv would do faster but there one thing to be said for going slow so you can enjoy the Lords work in nature and wildlife instead of zipping past it all and missing out.
Great video y'all!! That's a sweet 8n and the 4wheeler is also believe the 4wheeler would get little better traction if it had tire's with tread lol clearly the tractor would be a necessity for heavy loads and things like that. Y'all have a beautiful homestead. Thanks for sharing be safe have fun enjoy y'all's time together and homestead.
Lol like to see the 600 pound 4wheel ATV in 70 plus years that 8n tractor is a patriot
It’s a Honda
@@xfclan6055 just gonna say the same.. it's a honda
Totally a ford lol
I have a 1988 honda 4trax still going strong, so...
@@MatthewSmith-to1hz And?
I'm very blessed to have picked up a Massey-Ferguson 165 with a loader for $1000 at an estate sale. $50 brush cutter. Free grader blade that I found abandoned in the woods. Homemade boom pole. I just rebuilt the distributor and replaced a couple hydraulic lines last year, so it should be good for another 60 years
Wow! Ford 8-N! Was my transportation one summer. I was 12 years old in Java Lake NY. Plowed the roads. Pulled the city people out of ditches in the winter. Had a set of tracks with with set of wheels for "boogies" between front and rear tires. Took the radiator out it one summer for my Toyota Corona that had a bad radiator. The hood was bungied down cuz the tractor radiator was 4 inches higher that the Toyota's. My dad had many attachments. Was a GREAT tractor! Thanks for the memories!
I've got a 1939 Ford 9N. 83 years old and still runs. It ain't pretty but it works.
My grandfather had an 8N just like that and I drove it at a very early age! Many years later I got a Ford Jubilee that was very similar. Loved them both!
I grew up on a Wisconsin dairy farm in the 50s and 60s. While there, I spent hundreds of hours on an 8N. Tasks included cutting hay, pulling hay and silage wagons. disking with a three point disk, spreading manure, baling hay, raking hay and more. I have a fond spot in my heart for that tractor. It was a 1950. There is a picture of me pm the seat at one year old with my parents standing on either side on our front lawn when it was delivered. Thanks for the video.
I really hope you two start finding your youtube journey again, you are such amazing people and this channel is just incredible. You are true inspiration to me and many others! Kind regards
I totally agree. Have been missing it for 5 months now.
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Excellent information! Even though I grew up on a cattle farm with a ford 3000 I have done a lot of what you demonstrated. Your presentation to possible homesteaders is spot on. Thanks for sharing, people will definitely gain much needed knowledge from your efforts.
I've had an 8N for 30+ years and have gotten a lot of use out of it. One thing I learned the hard way was to not place my thumbs around the steering wheel, but instead to keep them on the same side as my fingers - because those old tractors don't have power steering, ruts or bumps can really cause the steering wheel to suddenly spin one way or the other, causing some real pain.
I'd love to get a 3 pt dirt bucket or boom pole after watching your video...I hadn't realized the boom pole could be a good way to move rocks.
The 4-wheeler loaded with wood was scary top heavy...wouldn't it be better to use the trailer with the 4-wheeler but keep it lightly loaded? stay safe you guys!
Especially a tricycle John Deere.
The very first thing my dad taught me when I started driving an 8n at about 10 years old. He said keep em on top if you don't want em broke.
That was fun. I have my dad's 52 8n that I rebuilt and a 4 wheeler. Both have their place in my life.
Thanks for sharing.
I used to drive a tractor in Greece in orange groves. It would be rainy and terribly muddy. I'd have the trailer loaded with orange crates get to the end of a tree line and would put those gears into some high/low configuration fire up the revs pop the clutch and brake the left wheel intermintably and U-turn that rig around the tree into the next tree line with mud flying. It was like getting paid to have fun doing muddy tractor trailer pulls. There were time though when the mud would win. Especially when loaded full of hundreds of orange crates.. We'd have to off load everything . ..good to see you guys ♥
Quite possibly the single best comparison video I have ever watched on CZcams, my wife and are currently looking for a smallholding/homestead so this could not have been any better, well done both of you, Amazing, Thank you!
8N ford's are perfect for that.
Get yourself a B series Kubota with a bucket you will never regret it.
8Ns are getting old, and with old you get dangerous/PITA like Live PTO, manual trans, two wheel drive, bad brakes (even in the best condition), and very rarely do the they have a FEL.
Smaller tractors you will expect to do “small farm” stuff, which means back and forth (a LOT) and I really wish I went with a hydrostatic trans.
@@jjuggernaut3218I agree with your comment. Nobody watching this video should go out looking to buy a Ford 8N. They're terrible tractors. Death traps, really. Everyone who has been inspired to attempt homesteading by watching CZcams videos, should go buy newer, more modern tractors.
Please, CZcams wannabes, don't do to the price of 8Ns what y'all have done to the price of land, full-size vans, etc. You know you're at fault for a lot of the inflation, right? You're just gonna try to sell everything in a few years when you find out it's hard work, anyway. Why put yourselves through all the hassle of failing. Take a vacation, instead. Go camp in the wilderness for a few weeks and get it out of your systems, like city people are supposed to do. Don't price the rest of us out of the life we've been living the whole time. Stop gentrifying country living. You're only helping to destroy something you claim to believe in.
I disagree. I can buy a nicely restored 8N, 601, TO 20/30 Ferguson or (my choice) WD-45 Allis-Chalmers for 1/4th the cost of the Kubota and they will still be performing their chores when the Kubota is junk in some scrap yard. The OP can purchase every part on that 8N still to this day. What parts will be available for the Kubota in 75 years, and what will it's resale value be? JMHO
Interesting, useful, and fun. I agree with you about the tractor, especially since I never used a four-wheeler (though I would have loved to, as a boy and young man).
A 1948 Ford 8N tractor is a miracle on this earth. As you have made clear, it is definitely the place to begin for the homesteader. A 4-wheeler is nice; a tractor is a necessity.
Great video. Thank you!
Well spoken and we both agree
Grew up on a small farm, Dad had an 8N that he traded in on a 1966 Ford 4000 (3 cylinder split-grille blue tractor). Both were great tractors but the 8N is such an iconic tractor, a true classic. Loved the video!
What a sweetheart of a lady. She's just adorable! You're obviously a hard worker and multitalented guy too! I hope you two have fun and do well with the youtube videos! Good luck and god bless!
Though I don't have a 'homestead' to do a lot of the mentioned tasks/chores...
I found my 8N to be very handy for moving trailers around my property. I installed a 'quick hitch' on the 3 point to make hooking up different attachments (trailer ball/reese receiver, brush hog, etc). a LOT easier.
Now IF I had a more remote area......
I think this video presentation was well thought out when it comes to the various tasks and the pros and cons of the machinery demonstrated.
Thank you for sharing.
I've worked 8 and 9n Ford tractors on grandpa's 40 acres pulling trailers, logs and dead vehicles. Used brush-hog and posthole diggers. Also the hydrollic wood splitter, grampa pulled the leaves, I worked the wood. We also used the posthole digger without the drill, ouger as a boom. I love seeing tractors at work.
I enjoy your videos. I had a 1952 8N for over 20 years and loved it. It was like a Swiss Army knife around our property.
I like how you chuckle whenever you speak of dangerous activities or exceeding specs of vehicle.
To all those out there who care about Sy. His situation has become very perilous. In the interest of full disclosure, Sy has a cannabis charge in Virginia because he was making medicine for his brother and others in need. His brother survived brain and testicular cancer because of medicine produced from cannabis. Over the past few years he has been working hard put that behind him and start his life over. He has been trying to help everyone out there though knowledge shared on this You Tube page, as well as products produced and sold on his Etsy page, while trying to survive. Unfortunately, on Tuesday of this week 16 armed US Marshals showed up at the homestead. Fortunately, Sy wasn't there at the time and was not taken into custody. We are reaching to all who care about him and asking for help and support. Please comment on all You Tube videos showing your support. I don't know where he is right now but hopefully he is safe. Thoughts and prayers out to you brother.
How did this situation turn out?
Love and prayers!
I am 70 years old in Florida and I have had 4-wheelers and now I have a diesel tractor that weighs around 2000 lbs. My property is several acres and the foliage is at least 10 times more dense than what you have in your northern woods. On top of that, I have lots of vines that are two inches in diameter and larger. Last year I decided to cut some roads using only my tractor, bush hog and a chainsaw. First, my tractor that is slightly smaller than yours, 200 pounds less would just drive over most of your saplings and the bush hog would chew most of them up on your property. My tractor went through my vegetation easily and I had to cut a few trees in which I put a tow strap on those logs and pulled them out to a field with no problem. Some trees were full of vines and would not fall so I would cut them high, put a strap on the upper piece and the tractor would break the tree at the cut and pull the tree and vines out to the field. I forgot to mention I had a box blade that I used like a dozer in reverse and push trees into a pile. In my case, a 4 wheeler would be useless. As far as anything in a bag like your coal and in my case fertilizer or animal feed, I pile bags on any impliments that are already on the tractor. You can stack bags on a disk, box blade, bush hog, etc. If my front end is light, I either put weight on the front or steer with the brakes and keep the impliment close to the ground so the tractor does not flip. I would rather take the 4-wheeler for a ride on the beach but the saltwater is rough on them.... I have decades of experience with tractors and 4-wheelers. The only advantage to them is that they are fast and can go anywhere. A tractor goes anywhere but slowly.
Whoever does the camera work does a very good job congrats
Very good to see the value of both machines put into perspective. Both are winners in their respective places.
No different from knowing when you need to use a hatchet and when to use a knife I guess. Both have their value, trick is knowing each tools limitations or applications.
What I was most impressed with was the expertise you both displayed in operating the machines at their highest level of safety (beyond actually lol) and all without protective equipment (helmets ...etc).
This expertise is not inherent in our genes, it is learned from the University of Give It a Go and congratulations to all of us graduates that are still alive and all together to celebrate that.
Im a Maori dairy farmer and novice woodturner and new subscriber to your channel and Ive been dairy farming in NZ and Ecuador for many years.
In this time I have learned to use 4 wheelers and tractors to their outer limits through much trial and error and I understand very well that the resulting "expertise" I now possess has come from pushing the safety bar upwards yet with the presence of mind to stop when it was necessary to do so as I learned the limitations.
It reminds me straight away as the following of the dark curve when carving a wooden spoon, hand placement, and use of force in the strikes of the hatchet, those lessons are well utilized in life generally and certainly machine operating.
Well done you guys :)
Well spoken. We both agree and also welcome to our channel. And thanks for your interaction and your feedback we really appreciate that
@@CarvingAPath Enjoyed the video, if l was in this position l would choose a Unimog 401, not a nippy as your 4 wheeler but easily as capable as the tractor, plus it has 4 wheel drive and more importantly an enclosed cab for when the weather takes a turn for the worse!!
My grandpa had an 8N on his farm in KY. Brings back memories. Loved that tractor.
Excellent, excellent, excellent video!
I have personally struggled with this exact same dilemma on my property. I have a 1953 Ferguson TO-30 And a 2015 Honda rancher 400 4 x 4. The Ferguson has lost half to 2/3 of the tread however it has heavy liquid in the tires. My ATV is stock and I bought it brand new. simply because nothing is black-and-white, I’ve combined the two methods that you’ve described. I have a 4 x 8 trailer with a 1000 pound axle that I use behind the ATV to go collect firewood and bring up out of the valley to my house at the top of the hill. The tractor struggles because it’s only 2 Wheel drive and I’m almost ready to buy new tires but the tread is still over 1 inch tall, however in these difficult supply chain problems I simply cannot order new tires. Therefore I have found that my Ferguson tractor and Honda foreman ATV are almost completely equal. I have found that the difference comes out in the fact that the Ferguson can power the 60 inch finish mower to mow everything quickly and the Honda ATV can just go get ice tea quickly for the operator!
So the answer is murky!
Honda can mow too if you get a swisher tower for it
I ran into a guy at an equipment sale years ago that focused on 8n Ford's. He had scores of them and was doing a pretty good business for himself fixing up and repairing the old tractors. They don't make tractors to last like they did when that ford was made.
I got the $500 Harbor freight trailer and built a deck and stake sides for it. It hauls my Polaris 800x2 and when I get up to the land I hook the trailer to the back of the Polaris. It hauls everything! The most fun was when I broke through the ice in 18" of water hauling firewood and just kept going!
Have cvt transmission?
@@francismarion6400 Yes. The belt does need regular inspection and changing.
Yeah, really proved a good point about atv vs tractor. I was about to put my 2 cents in but you covered everything, nice video.
I used to operate one on a farm I worked on , mowing, blading roads, digging postholes. It was a fun one to drive with my son.
Good video. Practical and informative. You have a great looking homestead.
We too love using our Ford 8n. Such a workhorse. I need to put it on the channel more. You always have great 8N content.
Again, thanx for letting us be a part of your jouney. I´d like to see some more spoon carving, since I´ve picked up Spooncarving as a hobby recently...also partly thanx to you guys.
Being able to take it out of 4x4 makes a world of difference when working a quad
Just came across this video, long after the fact. Being an aging baby boomer and "old school" and am rooting for the Ford 8N. Of course I see advantages on both sides. My only minor quibble with an 8N is the lack of "live" PTO. I grew up learning to drive in the 60's with an 800 Ford (live power PTO clutch) which was newer and much better when using the PTO. Great show! Thanks! S. Carolina
To me an even worse aspect of the N-Series Fords is the lack of live hydraulics. To me, live hydraulics are a requirement for a tractor while a live PTO is a convenience. Once you get used to being able to raise your 3-point with the clutch disengaged you'll never want to use a tractor with "dead" hydraulics.
I am blessed to have both a tractor and a fourwheeler
Man You got all the rigging you need with her right there
Hey its been a while since your last video hope all is well there . Look forward to them full of good information very talented people love your music too . Well hope all is well . hope we see a video soon . be safe.
+1
Just thinking that same thing.
Best wishes.
A tractor opened a complete new world to me. It is a great peace of equipement. My father only had a 2 wheel tractor and I started with a 2 wheel tractor. Too bad that my father was no longer around when I got my tractor.
Your 8N is a nice tractor and should last for many more years. Another criteria to consider comparing is lifespan. Presently thereis still an abundance of parts for your 74 year old tractor, but what is the likelihood of parts for the 4-Wheeler being available when it is 74 years old? Not very likely. I think you have a good set-up and made good choices in equipment, and in a partner. Y'all seem well matched and happy! Carry-On, and Best Wishes to you both.
That is definitely a good point. And you are exactly correct
Well, I have very little experience on a tractor, but I sure enjoyed the information I received in your video. And it was quite entertaining as well. Thank you.
With the 4-wheeler: when hauling firewood, use a trailer; haul one log at a time! Though, really good to be able to have both!
I’d get some suitcase weights for the front of the Ford. I have an 8N and a Kawasaki Brute Force 650. I live in pretty rough terrain in Montana and you’re spot on with the admonitions you say in your video. Great video BTW.
I really enjoy your videos..as does my wife..and my kids..
I hope you start making more of them.
There's so much BS on youtube
And your videos are a nice break from the crap that keeps coming out..
Just wanted you to know I appreciate your videos..and I'm sure im not alone.
I look forward to more vids..
Peace to you and yours..
David......
Nice comparison. We use both very often and don't think I could go without either now.I find the four wheeler much better in the snow and ice than the tractor tho.
The ice and snow was a topic we forgot to add. But We agree the 4 Wheeler Does Way better in those conditions. we just leave the tractor in the shed when it is icy and snowy. Anyways good point
@@CarvingAPath a Ford tractor with chains and a back blade is almost unstoppable in snow and ice.
You showed it well, 4-wheeler good for light work, tractor better for hard work and even better when one can obtain a tractor with FEL and back-hoe but thats big bucks.....
One of the things I like about your videos is your not a rich homesteader with 2-3 tractors and 4 wheelers with all the jungle jangles, your just trying survive the best you can like I am.......
Ford 8N... My parents had one when I was a teenager, and I've driven that thing a lot. I'm now in a position where I'm consideering a tractor, and the new 4wd, frt end loader, hydrostat tractors DO look attractive, at 5X to 10X the cost of an 8N. But you've given me some new ideas for the 8N. I never knew about boom poles. To me, that's a game changer. I wanted a FE loader to do some of the things a boom pole can do. You've got me considering an 8N. FE loaders DO look useful, but at the same time, as you said, there just aren't that many big jobs around the homestead. If I need to move a pile of dirt or rocks, I can take my time. I don't need the speed of a FE loader. Thanks for the video.
BTW, I was really surprised at the turning radius of the 8N. I guess those split brakes help more than I expected.
Put some tire chains on that 8n and you will see the capability increase dramatically. I grew up in the 80's with the exact tractor. My Dad rebuilt it completely in the late 60's. He put new rear tires with chains on it at that time and the chains were never off of it until he finally sold it around 2007. There was nothing on that tractor that was not wore out except the chains. But it never failed. I have seen it plow alot of snow with a rear blade and both front tires off the ground and being steered with the brakes. It just never quit!
We have both, on a heavy job the tractor shines but we use the four wheeler day in and day out, 20 - 30 times for every one time on the tractor. Would sure love to hear some more of your guitar playing and singing. Sure enjoy your videos.
Here's what we do. We cut 2 or 3 . 10ft logs and pull them out. Then process at point of use. Thank you greatly for your video.
Love your 8N tractor - we hardly ever see any of those here in the UK - they're all Grey Fergusons over here. Be careful on that sloping ground, they're not the most stable machine on hills. Greetings
You ever wonder what the dog's thinking when you're talking out in the air like that.
😂
No replacement for displacement!
Excellent discussion, 4wheeler =power wheel barrow. thanks.
Good to see you guys again
Fun video, if you put a bucket on the 8N it becomes even more of a utility vehicle. I had a IH H with a bucket and I used it all the time moving wood.
Or a logging arch with golf cart tires. Also works great for ATV
Nice comparison, but I would never attempt to load a four wheeler like that when it could put a small trailer with double the load and none of the steering or stability issues.
Great video. I had a 1956 Ford 640 (son of the 8N) and it was a handy workhorse. Used it for 15 years here on our "gentleman's farm". Opened up several plots with a sub-soiler and two-bottom plow. It did not owe me a cent but started to need some mechanical attention (compression, clutch, etc.). I passed it along to someone willing and with the tools & ability to work on what it needed and bought a used 4WD JD 1025R w/60 hours (diesel). Not as strong, but so much nicer for features and ease of use (especially with a quick-hitch 3-point and quick attach/detach front bucket - another big plus that the 640 lacked). Be sure to get a light pallet fork attachment. Damn handy. I never imagined I'd find so many uses for it. You are so correct that a tractor is NOT an ATV. I'd prefer not to test the ROPS. About 1/2 of my property is inaccessable to a tractor. A saddle between two hills with a spring-raging creek down the middle; but I have been eyeing potential road/trail paths that may change that. Keep the loads light and low (and use counter-weights) and tractors (especially 4WD) are not bad on trails. There is where they each have great uses.
Enjoyed this video. I will agree for sure for clearing land and building a homestead the tractor is the better choice. We have used our Ford 3000 diesel to drag logs to our Sawmill, brush hog to clear and maintain the land, harrow disk, box blade the driveway, use the pallet forks to move heavy items and so much more. We would not have near as much cleared to build our cabin were it not for the tractor.
Your outstanding presentation was clear, concise, objective, and both critical and complementary as warranted. You serve as an excellent reminder that this country is sorely in need of more boots and jeans than it is of suits and ties. Well done, sir.
Man, great video. I'm setting up in the Highlands of Scotland. 10 acres of pine and birch and peat. Now I'm more informed, thank you
I bought a 1950 Ford 8N just like yours when I was clearing my lot and getting it ready for my new home. It was a cheap workhorse. I paid $1800 for it and it pulled logs, bush-hogged, and scraped the lot level. It is easy to fix and I cheaply converted it to a 12 volt system so I could use a winch with it. A 4 wheel ATV is just a toy compared to a tractor in my opinion.
As soon as I heard you mention the turning challenge, I knew the tractor would win! I love doing wheel-lock turns!😂
I like your video. I moved large ash trees with a logging chain and 8n or to30 Harry Ferguson. I usually stripped the logs on site but did the cutting and splitting back at the house. I kept the center of gravity low by using the draw bar instead of the boom pole.
Good to see yall, great vid again!
Like to see you all cutting up and having some fun. If you ever want to pull more with these old tractor and one of your rear wheels are spinning touch the brake of the spinning wheel to make the other one turn with it in hopes you'll get BOTH wheels spinning and pulling together.
I was raised by my grandparents whom were homesteaders and they did everything with horses and jackasses until they saved and bought they're first tractor which was made from a model T pickup then they upgraded to a fird 9N and slowly bought the attatchments they're long gone now but I still have the old tractors and keep them running and in good shape but yes need both but tractor is the better start machine
Great video. I have both as well because each job requires something different. Having both is excellent. I have a small utility trailer that hooks to the back of my four wheeler, that’s great for collecting firewood, I leave it on 99% of the time. It’s also a nice setup for when I have the PTO wood chipper on back of tractor, I shoot the chips right into the trailer then take them where I need them with the four wheeler.
Each has there place . I have both , I use the 4 wheeler at least 25 to 1. But your analysis is dead on . Long live ford 8ns and 9ns !!!!!
Informative video with real life experiments to prove the strengths and weakness of each. Good job putting this video together.
Bought a 41 9N a few months ago. Mostly original and quit running. Electrical problems. 12V conversion took care of that. Starts easy now and runs like a new one at 81 years old.
I also have a B7100DT Kubota 4X4 (80's) I bought about 15 or so years ago. Typical Kubota diesel, runs like a champ and lots of power for 16hp.
A great compination. Having both machines. . When I had my acreage I couldn't afford either. Now I have 2 small yard tractors and I live on a bigger city lot. It is backwards, I should have had any kind of machine other than my back ARGH!!!. Thanks i just subbed.
Fun video, well thought out, many points that allot of people would not have considered. Hey and it looked like you two enjoyed making it.👍😎
I’ve had both also, I agree with you on all points ! 👍
When we bought our homestead we started out with a atv with the 48" blade, and found out rapidly in order to maintain the land and do needed projects the atv couldn't cut it, but a tractor like that wouldn't work either, and renting a skidsteer or dingo for 6 months would buy a new subcompact 4x4, it's was a big bite money wise but has payed for it's in two years, the only attachments bought were a box blade with teeth , mini stump bucket or power shovel , clamp on brush fork and a carryall, the brush hog was purchased with the tractor. now the atv sets and is hardly used. I wanted to just get an old tractor with a bucket like yours but finding one was difficult and even in that horsepower range couldn't mach the performance of the our subcompact that's 4x4. I admire your abilities to get your tasks done with your limited resources and that's what is most important, think of what people did with only a mules and hand picks and shovels. well humans are a spoiled lot.
One easy fix hook a trailer behind it. Of course you’re not gonna haul a big load on the four wheeler mercy a nice little utility trailer would fix that issue. Just saying love the Ford I have my grandpa’s 52. 8n you can’t kill those things. His is all original 6 V charging system original engine. The only thing I’ve changed on it is points condenser carburetor, rewired it, lightbulbs ignition switch rear hoops, tires, front tires tubes, and maybe a wheel bearing and seal other than that that thing is still original oh and the exhaust L O L got to love those old tractors. I got the classic Tractor bug along time ago. Yours is a beauty.
I have had my 1985 Ford 1710 front loader tractor now for 5+ years, I'm moving to TN from CT in about 3 years or so and its definitely coming with me. That tractor is pretty much unstoppable, it has 4-wheel drive and power steering as well. I will certainly pick up a Yamaha 4-wheeler for exactly the points you made here, you really need both on a property of 10 acres or more and I'm looking at 30+ acres myself
My 1990 Moto4 250 hauls a 4x8' trailer full of wood (roughly the same size as that tractor hauled) and I have no brakes on the damn thing lol.. Had some close calls but for a 250cc ATV that's only 2 wheel drive, she's got some amazing power.
Its a ways away from where you all live but Thomas Bandsaw Mills in Maine make excellent A-frame log arch skidding/towing implement. Helped my uncle haul timber on his property with a 4x4 and its a great blend of the two areas youre talking about.. the non accessible by tractor areas are able to be skidded with the 4x4 and log arch.
EDIT: about 40 seconds later you mention this exact piece of equip.
that definitely a different video i am sure you guys had some good laugh making that one and some good enjoyment i do have a 1953 ford but don't have a 4 wheeler but i use lawn mower tractor for my smaller shore and i hand up using that one more often than the big tractor well you guys have a great day and keep on enjoying yourself
Having started lookin at tractors and atvs myself. Thank you for the comparison.
I would put half the load on the wheeler just for traction and use a small trailer for more wood. Extremely dangerous tippy on the four wheeler the way you loaded it. There are small wood trailers at northern tools for example.
We have both and each definitely serve their purpose. Great video, keep them coming…
Great video love the Ying and Yang you two have. We also are starting a homestead and we bought a 4wheeler first and then got a 48 ford 8n also. The only thing I find with the ford 8n ( aka Miss Daisy ) is that she is light in the rear end. We have a loader on her and without weighing down her rear she is a little dangerous on our hilly property. Working on loading her tires and making a counter weight.
Ps we also are starting a you tube channel The O’SHITZHOMESTEAD. Keep up the great work.
I grew up on a farm and we always had N Series tractors. I love those old Fords..they're amazing and can do so much. In the next day or so, I'm going to pick up a, new to me, Ferguson TO-20, which is a very similar, though slightly different, tractor to the N-Series tractors. It's been a while since I've been on an old farm tractor, and I look forward to doing it again! Great video..and continued good luck!
Well that was a fair comparison and assessment. Thanks. Stay vigilant!
Greetings! I just found this today, a year after everyone else. I understand Dad had an 8N before I can remember, but there was a Ferguson, then a Ford 2000 and 800 series, the latter of which was traded for a 4000. An Allis-Chalmers WD-45 was on the farm all that time. I remember us felling enough trees for a sawmill operator to mill us lumber for a livestock handling corral, and we dragged and lifted using those 3-point booms to get the logs on our hay wagons to haul the mile or so to where the mill was set up. Some of those logs took us both to get up and loaded.
I concur that you exceeded capacity on both the ATV and the trailer! You had more guts than I would teetering on the ATV on those rocks. Our 6x10’ trailer is rated for something like 1100 lbs, so yours is probably 2/3 that? But 1/3 cord of green hardwood is 1600-1800 lbs, according to the one person who has checked that I’ve seen on CZcams. If that was hardwood, your trailer was probably somewhat heavier than the 8N. Yeah, that could get dicey on downhill gravel. Glad it didn’t cut totally loose on you.
No contest in my book you cannot go wrong with an old Ford tractor but then again I have like three of them (at the moment) with an old John Deere 1020 as well. I have an 8N, 860 Diesel and a 640 right now but I add extras when I see one for sale. I can still move 5x5 round bales and hay my fields with em if I need to. Usually I keep three different attachments one em to grab when needed too. I also routinely travel to estate sales as far down as your neck of the woods and pick up all kinds of extra's for them. My latest haul was a side mounted corn picker/combine attachment and a stock front loader that still used the rope pull bucket like your 3 point scoop. They are also more stable feeling than a row cropper front :) Also you should look into an old style splitter attachment, you can pick them up for next to nothing since most people are afraid of them these days.
Sounds like you have a pretty impressive collection. We both really love old tractors. And also thanks for the suggestion
@@CarvingAPath In all fairness the 8N has been in the family longer than I have by almost 20 years. It is just my turn to give it a home.
The best of both worlds, in my opinion, is a sub compact or compact tractor (example JD 1025r). It can do both tasks well and can be bought used for a somewhat reasonable price. Good video 👍
yea i got a massey 1720 its 25 hp and it does a amazing job i also have a fords 1710 25hp tractor which also does the job both are 4wd
I got a allis chalmers 620 that gets around nice for small stuff and I also got a deutz 5505 with a loader I use to drag out the big stuff.
Very good information, good job guys. I’m jealous of your place, keep being laid back!
I traded for as 8 N several weeks ago and am currently finishing a valve job, hopefully have it back to “Purdy” soon.
The axle shafts on the N series are huge! They are over 2" in diameter. While the 4 wheeler are usually less than 1" in thickness.
I envy folks like you who can be self sufficient on their own land. After "working for the man" for 40+ years, I'm too old to start now. I sure enjoy watching the videos, though. Those "State Fair Showroom Condition" 8N in my area are going for $4k-$6k in my area. There are two in poor condition for $1.5k (missing parts).
The Ford 2N, 9N and 8N built rural America while the Ford Model T & A put America on wheels.
These old Ford tractors are still in wide use everywhere in the American Continent!
I agree with both of you. I have a 4 acre rural lot we use atvs and Ford Tractor like you do.
when we 1st bought 40 acres we had a garden tractor with a loader. way too small but between that and the garden tractor mower with a small trailer we, mostly, got by. then we got a 4 wheeler and an old skid loader. now some more tractors. but your right on the money about the 4 wheeler for "running". run and get gas, drinks, chainsaw tools, just run back and forth to where the tractor is working.
I'd opt for the little Ford tractor any day. We had those when I was a kid, extremely durable work horses. Ours the high gear was dangerous fast.
One thing to consider too is if you buy a tractor you need a way to get it to your property. If you don't have a decent size trailer for your truck that might be a challenge. So four wheeler might make more sense until you can accumulate more toys such as a trailer. I ended up buying a four wheeler but it's been sitting in my garage at home since I kind of realized I can't do much with it before I clear my land. It's also very sketchy loading and unloading it in the truck, so I only want to do that one more time and that's going to be to bring it to the property once I have a garage built there.
There isn't much my 48 Ford 8N can't do. This tractor has been in my family since it was bought new. My Grand Pa's brother bought it new in Alabama, not sure when my grand pa got it from him, probably in the late 60's early 70's. I acquired the tractor from him in 1994 and hopefully it will go to either my grand daughter or one of my grand sons. Man I hope they don't list it on Craig's list after I'm gone!!
Hope you are well and that there are more video's in the works. Thanks for the content.
Should get a poly trailer for that 4wheeler
It was kinda not fair with the atv having bald tires and the 8n with good tread but even if the treads on the atv were new it still can’t compete with the 8n. If a person could afford both they’d make life on the homestead that much easier. Nevertheless, if I had to choose one it’s be the 8n. Because of its versatility. It can still do deliveries that the atv would do faster but there one thing to be said for going slow so you can enjoy the Lords work in nature and wildlife instead of zipping past it all and missing out.
Great video y'all!! That's a sweet 8n and the 4wheeler is also believe the 4wheeler would get little better traction if it had tire's with tread lol clearly the tractor would be a necessity for heavy loads and things like that. Y'all have a beautiful homestead. Thanks for sharing be safe have fun enjoy y'all's time together and homestead.