Last spring, much to my surprise, I purchased my first tractor, a 1948 Ford 8N. The 8N was a classic design that was widely copied and has held up remarkably well over the years as evidenced by the large number still in active operation more than 50 years after the last one rolled off the line in 1952.

This excerpt from The Smiths' 8N Ford Tractor Page:

The Ford model 8N tractor was introduced in July 1947 as an update/ redesign of the earlier 9N and 2N Ford-Ferguson tractors. It was an immediate success with farmers everywhere. The N series tractors revolutionized the way implements were made and attached to tractors with their Ferguson designed 3 point hitch setup. By the end of production in 1952, over 524,000 8N "redbelly" tractors had been built and sold. The large number of these tractors that are still around and working today, over 50 years later, and their ever increasing popularity and resale value is proof that the 8N was and still is a classic design and a much copied engineering masterpiece.

 
Mine is not, by any stretch, the prettiest of tractors. I bought it mostly because I needed a tractor and I got it, along with a bushhog, for a pretty good price. But I also want to take some time and attempt to restore it. It got a half decent coat of paint just before I got it, but there is much work that needs to be done to bring it anywhere close to like new condition.

So far, the only thing I have done to it is have the starter rebuilt, since it totally seized up on me. I need to get it put back together and running again as soon as the weather warms up a bit.

It needs some major body work - the fender skins need to be replaced due to dents and rust, the hood needs, at least, to have the dents hammered out, the brush guard needs some work, etc. - and there are some parts (nothing hindering operation) that just don't work at all. It will be a challenge as I've never done restoration work before, but I'm looking forward to it.

I will chronicle the saga on this site and will start it off with some pictures as soon as I get it all pieced back together.