Strengths A great dependable trouble free tractor for light use (20 hp use)Parts can be found everywhere.My tractor works hard (9/10 throttle) on bush hogging in summer with a 5 ft bush hog.If I can drive over the tree and it bends down enough to drive over I can blow it apart with the bush hog 3" hard woods and 5" poplar trees.In winter it snowblows with a v type blower behind.It has worked since 1965 without too many problems.(all minor)It does get normal maintainance and the best thing I did was convert it to 12 volts.The increased spark from the 12 volt conversion means 1/2 turn starting winter or summer. It uses 1 gal an hour working at 9/10 throttle.I used it for 24 hours straight on bush hogging one summer to beat the rain and it used exactly 24 gals of fuel.

Weaknesses Not many.It will work hard without any complaint,you must remember 20 hp on tap not 50.(it thinks it has 50!) The steering box is one weak point if you have a early model.I have changed the top bearing in the box 3 times since 1965.I put in a beefier drive shaft after snapping mine but thats all on a HARD worked tractor.

Overall My tractor is a 1949 8n.It is an very well made tractor and easy to fix and maintain.My Ford is a little beat looking (it does not sit,it works) but I would not sell her for less than $50.000 I guess that sums it up.

Strengths Bought used in 1996. Wheels can be set very far apart. I mow across a hill that hits 20 degrees in a few spots, averages 10. I moved the font wheels out and flipped the rear wheels over so Have an 8 ft stance. Still fits in the garage but much more stable than the new tractors. Reliable if you know how to maintain it. Can find parts lots of places. I change oil more often than needed. Hard to justify giving it up since it's still a bush hogging work horse - and pulled a single blade plow with no problems one year. SOLID - have had 1/2 wheel (front and onced back) swallowed by bushhog holes and got out. When I holed the radiator the repair guy said it was the original, and wanted to buy the rest of the tractor site unseen. Really terrific if you want to use Class 1 3 point hitch attachments.

Weaknesses I would like a front loader with bucket but don't like the retrofits I've seen. Not good for any attachments in front. Hard to justify buying a new tractor for $15K with this one still pulling.... It's old so requires fixing things that rust out. Luckily you can get many parts in local tractor stores off the shelf, a few by special ordering. I ran into trouble when it quit in the middle of a bush hogging one year. Had two "repairmen" come and not help because it was electrical + timing. They gave advice. I ended up replacing the condenser (I think the old may be good), a rusted out relay (box under console on right - just behind air filter), and the re-wiring with heavy ZIP cord, including a new light switch. The lights work now. It Ran but timing was off. My brother in law came over and replace the spark plugs, put in electronic ignition ($110) and got it tuned and running - now it has power to climb up the hill while bushhogging 3ft grass - but it's laboring on steep parts so I still go across. No Roll over bar/cage or seat belt... what do you expect - it was made in 1952, before I was born! 2 wheel drive. Plenty of power but the rear wheels will spin and dig in. 1 reverse speed - is too fast for clearing out forest undergrowth that is 6 ft tall and hits the driver but all implements go in back. I added a free spinning PTO adapter - IT'S a MUST. Without it the spinning bush hog blad will keep the rear wheels turning and the tractor moving when you throw it in neutral. Scary. Having an adapter that lets the bush hog freewheel is a major safety feature. Only 3 gears forward, 1 reverse.

Overall Love it /Hate it. Can't justify getting rid of it but want a nice shiny new tractor with a bucket and hydrostatic shifting and A/C and ..... LOL But when it is working and in rhythm with me it's reall nice.