TRACTOR TUESDAY #3 — FORD 8N

Welcome back to Tractor Tuesday!

Each week, Arizona Old Iron highlights a classic antique tractor, sharing its history, specifications, and the stories that helped shape American agriculture.

This week, we’re looking at one of the most recognizable tractors of the post-war era…

FEATURED TRACTOR: FORD 8N

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

Built: 1947–1952

Factory: Highland Park, Michigan

Type: General-Purpose / Utility Tractor

Drive: 2WD

SPECIFICATIONS

The Ford 8N was powered by a Ford 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled gasoline engine displacing 120 cubic inches (2.0L).

Horsepower: Approximately 23–25 drawbar horsepower and around 27 belt horsepower.

Transmission: 4 forward speeds and 1 reverse

Notable features included:

• Ferguson System 3-point hitch

• Hydraulic lift system

• Rear PTO

• Adjustable rear wheel spacing

• Front and rear wheel options

• Electric starting

• Ferguson hydraulic draft-control system

One of the most noticeable changes from the earlier 9N and 2N models was the four-speed transmission and the introduction of position control for the three-point hitch.

A LITTLE HISTORY

The Ford 8N was introduced in 1947 as the successor to the Ford 2N.

Ford’s small tractors had already revolutionized farming by bringing affordable mechanization and the modern three-point hitch system to smaller farms. The 8N continued that tradition while offering farmers more power, improved operator controls, and greater versatility.

The 8N quickly became one of Ford’s most successful tractors. Its compact size, simple mechanical design, and ability to operate a wide variety of three-point implements made it especially popular with small and medium-sized farms.

The 8N remained in production until 1952, when it was replaced by the new Ford NAA, commonly known as the “Golden Jubilee.”

INTERESTING FACTS

• Approximately 524,000 Ford 8N tractors were produced during its six-year production run, making it one of the most successful tractor models of its era.
• The 8N was part of Ford’s famous N-Series, which also included the 9N and 2N.
• The Ford 8N used the famous Ferguson System three-point hitch, developed through the relationship between Henry Ford and Harry Ferguson. This system became one of the most important developments in tractor history.
• The 8N was available with different wheel and tire configurations, allowing farmers to set the tractor up for different types of work.
• Early 8Ns were equipped with a front-mounted distributor, making ignition maintenance relatively easy to access.

Arizona Old Iron — Preserving the History of Yesterday’s Iron, One Tractor at a Time.

TRACTOR TUESDAY #2 — FARMALL H

Welcome back to Tractor Tuesday!

Each week, Arizona Old Iron highlights a classic antique tractor, sharing its history, specifications, and the stories that helped shape American agriculture.

This week’s featured tractor is one of the most successful row-crop tractors ever built…

FEATURED TRACTOR: FARMALL H

Manufacturer: International Harvester (Farmall)

Built: 1939–1953

Factory: Rock Island, Illinois

Type: Row-Crop Tractor

Drive: 2WD

SPECIFICATIONS

The Farmall H was powered by an International Harvester 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled gasoline engine displacing 152 cubic inches (2.5L).

Horsepower: Approximately 24 drawbar horsepower and 26–28 belt horsepower, depending on the model year and fuel type.

Transmission: 5 forward speeds and 1 reverse.

Notable features included:

• Adjustable wide or narrow front axle options

• Cultivision design for excellent row visibility

• Belt pulley and rear PTO

• Optional hydraulic “Lift-All” system

• Available in gasoline, distillate, kerosene, and LP gas versions

A LITTLE HISTORY

Introduced in 1939, the Farmall H was designed to replace the successful Farmall F-20 while providing farmers with more power, improved comfort, and modern features.

Built for medium-sized farms, the H became a favorite because it could handle a wide variety of jobs—from plowing and cultivating to mowing, planting, and hauling wagons. Its versatility made it an ideal “all-around” tractor for thousands of American family farms.

The Farmall H remained in production for 14 years before being succeeded by the Farmall 300 in 1954. Today, it remains one of the most popular tractors among collectors and restorers.

INTERESTING FACTS

Nearly 392,000 Farmall H tractors were built, making it one of the best-selling tractors in International Harvester history.

The Farmall H was tested at the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory, where it delivered approximately 24 drawbar horsepower, proving itself to be a dependable performer for everyday farm work.

The H introduced many farmers to International Harvester’s hydraulic Lift-All system, allowing operators to raise mounted equipment with the pull of a lever.

Thousands of Farmall H tractors are still running today, and replacement parts remain widely available thanks to their popularity with collectors and restorers.

Arizona Old Iron — Preserving the History of Yesterday’s Iron, One Tractor at a Time.

TRACTOR TUESDAY #1 — JOHN DEERE B

Welcome to the very first edition of Tractor Tuesday!

Each week, Arizona Old Iron will take a look back at an antique tractor, its history, specifications, and some of the interesting stories that make these old machines so special.

For our first featured tractor, we’re going back to one of John Deere’s most recognizable and successful two-cylinder tractors…

FEATURED TRACTOR: JOHN DEERE MODEL B

Manufacturer: John Deere

Built: 1935–1952

Factory: Waterloo, Iowa

Type: Row-crop / general-purpose tractor

Drive: 2WD

SPECIFICATIONS

The Model B changed considerably during its nearly 20-year production run, but the early tractors were powered by a two-cylinder, liquid-cooled John Deere engine displacing approximately 149 cubic inches.

Depending on the year and configuration, horsepower increased substantially throughout the B’s production. Early versions produced around 16 horsepower at the belt, while later versions reached well over 20 horsepower.

Transmission: Early models used a 4-speed transmission, while later versions were upgraded to a 6-speed transmission.

Other notable features included:

• Rear PTO

• Adjustable rear wheel tread for row-crop work

• Narrow, wide and standard front-end configurations

• Optional electric starting on later tractors

• Gasoline and all-fuel versions

• Numerous specialized versions, including the BN, BW, BR, BO and BI

A LITTLE HISTORY

When John Deere introduced the Model B in 1935, the company was looking for a tractor that could provide the capabilities of the larger Model A while being smaller, lighter and more affordable.

The B quickly became an important part of John Deere’s lineup and was designed to meet the needs of farmers who didn’t require the size or power of an A.

The Model B went through several major changes during its life. The original unstyled B was followed by the early styled B beginning in 1939, and then the late styled B beginning in 1947.

Those changes included larger engines, updated sheet metal, improved starting and electrical equipment, and other improvements that kept the B competitive as farming technology evolved. (TractorData)

INTERESTING FACTS

More than 300,000 Model Bs were produced during the model’s production run, with the final serial number reaching 310,772. (TractorData)

The Model B wasn’t just one tractor. John Deere produced several specialized versions, including the BN narrow-row, BW wide-row, BR standard-tread, BO orchard and BI industrial models. (TractorData)

The early Model B was tested in the Nebraska Tractor Tests. In Nebraska Test 232, an early all-fuel B produced 16.01 belt horsepower and 11.80 drawbar horsepower, with a maximum measured pull of 1,728 pounds. (TractorData)

Later Model Bs had considerably more power. Nebraska Test 380 in 1947 recorded 27.58 maximum belt horsepower and 24.62 drawbar horsepower for a gasoline-powered B. (TractorData)

Arizona Old Iron — Preserving the History of Yesterday’s Iron, One Tractor at a Time.