Some random thoughts at 3:30 AM this morning;
I had a guy contact me maybe 12 years ago now, asking for some help to identify and value some Ford/Dearborn implements his father had left him. There were several.
One of them was a complete front - and rear mounted cultivator setup. The rear one was like Tim shows in his photo.
The front set had long rods that went to the back and was raised with the 3 point. I don't know if they were used at the same time as the rears but suspect they were.
It was the only front set I have ever seen.
I do think Hobo is onto something with his little Farmalls. They were significantly taller than an N and if as Ed said, he could only cultivate twice with his N I'll bet you could cultivate at least one more time with one of the Farmalls - though I do not know if
it was needed.
There was a thread on Tractor Talk about why cultivating fell out of favor. The consensus was that it was replaced by chemical weed control. It looks like cultivating is returning as more and more people want organic foods ala Chris L.
Ford didn't build a row crop tractor till 1955 which was rather late to that game.
Their first entry was the 700/900 Series.
But they continued to build cultivator tractors and equipment till the 1980s which was late.
Here is an early 60s Ford 501 offset tractor.
You didn't straddle this model but sat side saddle on them. Ford continued to build these for several years after the big model change in 1965.
These are still very much in demand by organic farmers and fetch high prices.
Another entry in the Ford line up was the 1965-75 4200. There was a full set of mounted cultivators built for these.
The last cultivator tractor sold by Ford was a Shibura (Japanese) built model.
These were sold till well into the 1980s.
Another side saddle machine.
I forget the model # of these.
Well, I've been at this for an hour or so and will have a shot at sleeping again.
Thanks for letting me prattle on.