Diecast Ford 8N

The N Series tractors built by Ford between 1939 and 1964 were indeed a very important part of the history of tractors built in the United States.  The N Series tractors were the first U.S. built tractor to use Ferguson's 3 point hitch system, which is still in use today.  The design of the N series included collaboration between Ford and Ferguson, which was the predecessor of today's Massey-Ferguson.  Under a previous agreement, Ford was using Ferguson's 3 point hitch system but after the agreement ended, Ford continued to use the Ferguson 3 point hitch system, only they modified it slightly to avoid trouble with patents.

Ford  began production of the 8N in 1947 and soon became the best selling tractor in the United States.  Ford, which was the builder of automobiles, had the advantage of large production facilities that could easily churn out thousands of tractors quite quickly and at a low cost.  During the war, Ford had an advantage over other tractor makers and therefore got plenty of business during that time.  After the war when rebuilding began and equipment was needed, again Ford was able to provide enough tractors, fast enough and cheap enough to make them a hit.

The Ford 8N came with a 4 speed transmission, which was an improvement over earlier N series tractors and in 1952 the tractor could be purchased for $1400 U.S.  As far as power is concerned, they were fairly low powered by today's standards - around 25 h.p, but they still offered farmers many advantages.  In all, Ford built over 500,000 8N's.

As a child, my grandfather owned an 8N, back in the 1970's and 1980's and it was still running fine and we still used it around the farm to rake hay and pull wagons.  Because it was the best selling tractor in it's day, a diecast Ford 8N surely belongs in your diecast farm toy collection.

Ford Diecast Tractors

Diecast Farmall H

Starting all the way back in 1924, Farmall built tractors and other farm implements. The Farmall H, like the one pictured here, was called a row crop tractor and can be distinguished by the narrow front tire stance.  Of the many models that Farmall built, the Farmall H was the second best selling tractor with almost 400,000 units being sold between 1939 and 1952.  It was 1979 when the last Farmall tractor rolled off the line but recently Case IH, the owner of the Farmall name has resurrected the name in some of it's latest models of compact tractors, ranging from 31 to 50 hp.

Farmall Diecast Tractors