The Ford 9N/8N. When these appeared in the early thirties they were perhaps
one of the most important technological developments in America and increased
a man's productivity on the farm by multiples. They are right up there with
the Singer sewing machine in this regard. This one was rebuilt and refurbished
in Albany, Oregon by a group of FFA kids under the direction of super teacher
Kirk Hutchenson. The restoration got a blue ribbon at the County Fair and
did very well, I forget what place, at the State Fair. Of course the more
recent fancy Japanese diesels are pretty spiffy, but, they cost as much
as a big Mercedes, and are really only a refinement of Ford's solid, basic
idea. I was a little skeptical that it would be anything more than a nostalgia
trip until I began to use it. I cannot begin to tell you all the things
it has done. What set it apart from it's rivals of the time was a simple
hydraulic system that makes all sorts of attachments practical: posthole
diggers, cement mixers, mowers, blades, scoops, chippers, plows, rakes,
etc.etc. The engine is basically a Model A, probably of 20 hp or so. Parts
are readily available at any Ford dealer. You could just about rebuild one
in the field. America will be great again when it recognizes that a product
depends as much on its "intellectual content" as it does on its
material. Not too much, Just enough...the very definition of elegance. Go
find one and give it a home.
So if you need parts for your old tractor, here's a great source...Walt's
Tractor Parts.
Okay, so maybe the "Red Belly" Ford doesn't appeal to you...take
a look at a site with lots of pictures of very
cool lookin' old tractors. .....