Ford 8N
The Ford 8N is a tractor produced by Ford. It is equipped with a 119.7 ci 2.0 L engine. The listed engine power is 23.24 hp 17.3 kW. Transmission: Sherman Combination Transmission. Operating weight: 2410 to 2717 pounds.
Engine Power
23.24 hp
17.3 kW
Fuel & Capacities
10 gal
37.9 L
Transmission
Sherman Combination Transmission
Operating Weight
2410 to 2717 pounds
Overview
 | 1947 - 1952
N SeriesUtility tractor
N Series
Utility tractor |
|---|
Production | |
|---|---|
Manufacturer | Ford |
Utility tractor | |
Built in Highland Park, Michigan, USA | |
Total built | 524,000 |
Original price was $1,404 in 1952 | |
Variants | |
|---|---|
8NAN | distillate engine |
Ford 8N Power | |
|---|---|
Drawbar (claimed) | 23.16 hp
17.3 kW |
PTO (claimed) | 27.32 hp
20.4 kW |
Drawbar (tested) | 21.95 hp
16.4 kW |
PTO (tested) | 23.24 hp
17.3 kW |
Belt (tested) | 25.77 hp
19.2 kW |
Performance test details ...  | |
Mechanical | |
|---|---|
Two-wheel drive | |
Steering | mechanical |
Manual drum brakes | |
Open operator station. | |
Capacity | |
|---|---|
Fuel | 10 gal
37.9 L |
Hydraulic system | 5 gal
18.9 L |
Hydraulics | |
|---|---|
Capacity | 5 gal
18.9 L |
Pressure | 1700 psi
117.2 bar |
Pump flow | 2.85 gpm
10.8 lpm |
Tractor hitch | |
|---|---|
Rear Type | I |
Rear lift | 800 lbs
362 kg |
Power Take-off (PTO) | |
|---|---|
Rear PTO | transmission |
Rear PTO Type | 545 (1.125) |
Dimensions & Tires | |
|---|---|
Wheelbase | 70 inches
177 cm |
Weight | 2410 to 2717 pounds |
Front tire | 4.00-19 |
Rear tire | 10-28 |
Full dimensions and tires ...  | |
Links | |
|---|---|
8N Tractors: Parts, manuals, and information for the 8N | |
N Tractor Club: | |
8N Manual: online at NewOldManuals.com |
Electrical | |
|---|---|
Ground | positive |
Charging system | generator |
Charging amps | 20 |
Battery volts | 6 |
Battery AH | 80 |
References | |
|---|---|
 | |
The Great New Ford Tractor published in 1947 | |
Ford Tractor published in 1950 | |
Operator's Manual Model 8N (3729-52-C) published in 1952 |
Engine
Engine options | |
|---|---|
Ford 2.0L 4-cyl gasoline | |
Ford 2.0L 4-cyl distillate |
Engine Detail — 119.7 ci / 2.0 L Gasoline
Manufacturer | Ford |
Fuel Type | Gasoline |
Configuration | 4-cylinder 8-valve, liquid-cooled |
Displacement | 119.7 ci
2.0 L |
Bore/Stroke | 3.188x3.75 inches
81 x 95 mm |
Compression | 6:1 |
6.7:1 *After s/n 85000 | |
Rated RPM | 2000 |
Torque | 92 lb-ft
124.8 Nm |
Torque RPM | 1500 |
Firing order | 1-2-4-3 |
Starter volts | 6 |
Coolant capacity | 12 qts
11.4 L |
Sparkplug gap | 0.025 inches
0.635 mm |
Point gap | 0.015 inches (front-mount)
0.381 mm |
0.025 inches (side-mount)
0.635 mm | |
Intake valve clearance | 0.011 inches*Cold
0.279 mm |
Exhaust valve clearance | 0.015 inches*Cold
0.381 mm |
Oil capacity | 6 qts
5.7 L |
Engine Detail — 119.7 ci / 2.0 L
Manufacturer | Ford |
Configuration | 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled |
distillate | |
The distillate engine was used on the 8NAN variant. | |
Displacement | 119.7 ci
2.0 L |
Bore/Stroke | 3.188x3.75 inches
81 x 95 mm |
Compression | 4.75:1 |
Rated RPM | 2000 |
Firing order | 1-2-4-3 |
Starter volts | 6 |
Coolant capacity | 12 qts
11.4 L |
Oil capacity | 6 qts
5.7 L |
Ford 8N Engine | |
|---|---|
 | |
Image courtesy of Javier Cardozo |
Transmission
Transmission options | |
|---|---|
4-speed | |
12-speed |
Transmission — constant mesh
Transmission | constant mesh | ||||
Gears | 4 forward and 1 reverse | ||||
Oil capacity | 20 qts
18.9 L | ||||
Oil type | 32oF [0oC]↑ : Ford M4864A 32oF [0oC]↓ : Ford M4864B | 32oF [0oC]↑ | : Ford M4864A | 32oF [0oC]↓ | : Ford M4864B |
32oF [0oC]↑ | : Ford M4864A | ||||
32oF [0oC]↓ | : Ford M4864B | ||||
Tractor must be stopped and clutch used to shift between gears. | |||||
32oF [0oC]↑ | : Ford M4864A | ||||
32oF [0oC]↓ | : Ford M4864B | ||||
 | |||||
Transmission — Sherman Combination Transmission
Transmission | Sherman Combination Transmission |
Gears | 12 forward and 3 reverse |
The Sherman Step-Up and Step-Down Combination transmission provided two additional ranges, one higher and one lower, through the use of an auxiliary gearbox. The Step-Down was geared down by 1.513 to 1. The Step-Up was geared up by 1 to 1.495. | |
 | |
Dimensions
Ford 8N Tires | |
|---|---|
Ag front | 4.00-19 |
6.00-16 | |
Ag rear | 10-28 |
11.2-28 | |
Dimensions | |
|---|---|
Wheelbase | 70 inches
177 cm |
Length | 115 inches
292 cm |
Width | 64.75 inches
164 cm |
Height | 54.5 inches
138 cm |
Ground clearance | 13 inches
33 cm |
Clearance (front axle) | 21 inches
53 cm |
Front tread | 48/52/56/60/64/68/72/76 inches
121/132/142/152/162/172/182/193 cm |
Rear tread | 48/52/56/60/64/68/72/76 inches
121/132/142/152/162/172/182/193 cm |
Ford 8N Weight | |
|---|---|
Shipping | 2,410 lbs
1093 kg |
Operating | 2,717 lbs
1232 kg |
Ballasted | 4,043 lbs
1833 kg |
Tests
Tractor Tests | |
|---|---|
NTTL 385: gasoline 4-speed 2WD | |
NTTL 393: gasoline 4-speed 2WD | |
NTTL 443: gasoline 4-speed 2WD | |
NTTL 444: distillate (8NAN) 4-speed 2WD |
Nebraska Tractor Test 385 | |
|---|---|
Gasoline 4-speed 2WD
September 8 - 19, 1947
Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 385 file | |
Belt power (max) | 21.06 hp
15.7 kW |
Belt fuel use (max) | 2.7 gal/hour
10.2 l/hour |
PTO performance | |
Power at rated engine speed | 18.35 hp
13.7 kW |
Fuel use | 2.5 gal/hour
9.5 l/hour |
Drawbar performance | |
Max power | 20.8 hp
15.5 kW |
Max pull | 2,810 lbs
1274 kg |
Nebraska Tractor Test 393 | |
|---|---|
Gasoline 4-speed 2WD
May 11 - 18, 1948
Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 393 file | |
Belt power (max) | 25.77 hp
19.2 kW |
Belt fuel use (max) | 2.4 gal/hour
9.1 l/hour |
Drawbar performance | |
Max power | 21.72 hp
16.2 kW |
Gear 2 used for power test. | |
Max pull | 2,751 lbs
1247 kg |
Gear 1 used for pull test. | |
Nebraska Tractor Test 443 | |
|---|---|
Gasoline 4-speed 2WD
June 16 - 27, 1950
Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 443 file | |
Belt power (max) | 25.49 hp
19.0 kW |
Belt fuel use (max) | 2.3 gal/hour
8.7 l/hour |
PTO performance | |
Power at rated engine speed | 23.24 hp
17.3 kW |
Fuel use | 2.1 gal/hour
7.9 l/hour |
Drawbar performance | |
Max power | 21.95 hp
16.4 kW |
Gear 2 used for power test. | |
Max pull | 2,810 lbs
1274 kg |
Gear 1 used for pull test. | |
Nebraska Tractor Test 444 | |
|---|---|
Distillate (8NAN) 4-speed 2WD
June 22 - 29, 1950
Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 444 file | |
Belt power (max) | 21.87 hp
16.3 kW |
Belt fuel use (max) | 2.4 gal/hour
9.1 l/hour |
Drawbar performance | |
Max power | 18.79 hp
14.0 kW |
Gear 2 used for power test. | |
Max pull | 2,355 lbs
1068 kg |
Gear 1 used for pull test. | |
Photos
Ford 8N
Ford 8N
Ford 8N
Ford 8N
Ford 8N
Ford 8N
Ford 8N operator station and controls.
Recommended Implements & Sizing Guide
Engineering recommendations for Ford 8N based on its 23.24 HP power envelope and ASAE agricultural standards.
| Implement & Operation | Recommended Size | Workload Rating | Engineering Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Moldboard PlowPrimary Tillage | 1 to 2 Bottom (12")1 - 2 铧 (30 cm) | Light Duty | Ideal for garden plots and light sandy soil. |
Rotary Cutter / MowerMowing & Clearing | 4 ft (48 in)1.2 m | Light Duty | Pasture clipping and light brush under 1" diameter. |
Rotary TillerSeedbed Prep | 42 to 48 in105 - 120 cm | Light Duty | Covers compact tractor tire width. |
Disc HarrowSecondary Tillage | 5 to 6 ft (16-18" discs)1.5 - 1.8 m (40-45 cm 耙片) | Light Duty | Small acreage soil break-up and secondary aeration. |
Sizing & Soil Condition NoteActual implement sizing varies depending on local soil conditions (heavy clay vs sandy loam), field slope, and operating speed. Heavy tillage implements may require front ballast weights and wheel weights.
Fluids, Capacities & Working Autonomy
Standard fluid requirements, service intervals, and continuous runtime estimates for Ford 8N.
Estimated Continuous Field Runtime: 8.3 hrs
Approximately 8.3 hours of continuous field operation at ~75% rated power on a full tank (10 gal / 37.9 L).
Estimated 75% Load Fuel Burn~1.2 gal/hr (4.6 L/hr)
Engine Crankcase Oil
SAE 15W-40 (Heavy Duty Diesel)
Standard Spec: API CK-4 / CJ-4 Heavy Duty
Service Interval: 150 – 250 Hours
Transmission & Hydraulic System
UTTO (Universal Tractor Transmission Oil)
Standard Spec: ISO VG 46 / 68 (Wet Brake & Trans Compatible)
Service Interval: 600 – 1000 Hours
Engine Cooling System
50/50 Ethylene Glycol Pre-mix
Standard Spec: ASTM D6210 / Heavy-Duty OAT Antifreeze
Service Interval: 2 Years / 1500 Hours
Ford 8N Specification Unit Converter
Convert power, fluid capacities, and operating weights between metric and imperial standards for Ford 8N.
Converted Equivalents:
Horsepower (HP)23.2 hp
Kilowatts (kW)17.3 kW
Metric Horsepower (PS / CV)23.6 PS
Direct Competitor Comparison
Compare Ford 8N against same-era industry alternatives in the same horsepower class.
Current Model
Ford
Ford 8N
Engine Power:23.24 hp
17.3 kW
★ Baseline Reference
International HarvesterMarket Competitor
International Harvester 244
Engine Power:21
Production Years:1982 - 1984