9 replies to this topic

[pumpkintoter]

can anyone give me a quick explanation on the differences between the 8n 9n and 2n?

[Gtractor]

The digit is the year they were introduced. 9N came out in 1939, 2N in 1942 [there is really no difference in the two] and 8N in 1948. Most everyone refers to 2N as 9N's 'cause the only way to tell is the serial number. Originally WWII was the cause of the change. 2N's were offered on a limited basis with steel wheels and hand start only because of war rations on rubber and electrical parts. 9N and 2N have three speeds while 8N has a four speed. 9N and 2N have a huge rear hub on the axle so they are easy to tell from an 8N from across the field. Engines are pretty much the same except the last two years ['51-'52] of 8N had the distributor moved to the side for easier access.

Most war model 2N's today have been converted to rubber tires and electric starters so as I stated earlier the only way to tell is the serial # and of course if the engine has been changed its even harder to tell. Later in the war rations were relaxed somewhat and 2N's could be had on rubber and with electric start because they were for food production.

Edited by Gtractor, May 13, 2012 - 03:16 PM.

[Chuck_050382]

I thought there was some difference in the lift. I thought the 2n and 9n lifts only worked when the clutch was out.

[skyrydr2]

2,8,9 all only work with the clutch out.

[Chuck_050382]

2,8,9 all only work with the clutch out.

I thought it was something like that, thanks Keith.

Dad's 53 jubilee is the beginning of the NAA series if I remember right and it's lift is live all the time.

[skyrydr2]

Yup, as it has an external pump driven off the ringear on the flywheel, still doesn't have live pto at this point either, that wasn't until the late 50's early 60's with the intoduction of the 5 speed, and even then was an option, as you needed a double clutch for it.

[Amigatec]

Didn't some of these have a road gear as well?

[IHCubGuy]

Some of the N's had a cast aluminum hood on them. Somewhat of a rare bird to find these days.

Edited by IHCubGuy, May 14, 2012 - 09:28 PM.

[Gtractor]

Didn't some of these have a road gear as well?

Yes, a company named Sherman made an aux. tranny for the Ford tractors.
http://www.oldfordtr...com/sherman.htm

There was also a Howard brand aux. tranny for a creeper gear to run tillers and trenchers.

[A.C.T.]

I own a 1946 Ford 2n and a 1948 Ford 8n. They are a lot alike. As mentioned the 8n has the 4-speed transmission. Only the 8n has the red on the bottom. They were known as the red bellies. Many owners of the 2n and 9n painted their tractor to look like a 8n. (my 2n painted like a 8n). Also only the 8n had the Ford logo on each side of the hood. Later 8n's had the Ford script on the rear fenders. The 3-point hitch is what made these tractors so handy, even today.