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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

8N or 3400 Diesel ???

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Katharine

06-29-2007 12:47:02




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Hi,

I have a BIG question now... I have been planning on getting an 8N for awhile now but the person who has been working on it has said I would be better off with the bigger tractor. He's offering a 3400 diesel with pto (no loader) for the same price (because he's a friend of the family) but I'm not sure that a 3400 won't be 'overkill' for 5 acres?? We're starting a CSA and really need a tractor, but just not sure about this big diesel as I've had the mind-set of an 8N for so long. Am I crazy? Should I wait for the 8N or go with the big one?

Thanks!

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Katharine

06-30-2007 05:13:01




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 Re: 8N or 3400 Diesel ??? in reply to Katharine, 06-29-2007 12:47:02  
THANK YOU for all the great advice! I've taken it all into deep consideration and have decided to go ahead and take the 8N... I mean who needs all that horsepower anyways?? JUST KIDDING!!! Yeah right, like "Tim the Tool Man" says: "MORE POWER!"
I'll be able to get rid of a bunch downed oak trees I have laying around and get them all into a burn pile, and maybe get my own hay bailed, and run an auger to put up some fencing and then drill a new well, and be able to have a transmission that will downshift low enough to pull a tiller properly...Wheee! I can't wait!

Thanks a BUNCH guys, y'all are GREAT! (Can I call you guys when I need a loan for repairs though?) LOL

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Jerry/MT

06-29-2007 22:18:44




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 Re: 8N or 3400 Diesel ??? in reply to Katharine, 06-29-2007 12:47:02  
Asuming they are both in acceptable working order, take the 3400. It's easier on fuel, has at least a live pto( which, if you are new to tractors, is more than worth it) and when you get a chance, buy a loader and you be happier with that. The 8N is a fine machine, but that 3400 is a much better value at the same price as the 8N.



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RodInNS

06-30-2007 07:18:01




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 Re: 8N or 3400 Diesel ??? in reply to Jerry/MT, 06-29-2007 22:18:44  
Jerry,
There is no guarntee that the 3400 has a live PTO. It may be live, or it may not. Keep in mind that this is a light industrial tractor and may have the 6x4 transmission. If it does, there is no live PTO. It could also have a 6x2 or an 8x2 with either live or non-live power....

Rod



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DJL

06-29-2007 21:00:42




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 Re: 8N or 3400 Diesel ??? in reply to Katharine, 06-29-2007 12:47:02  
I wouldn"t worry about the overkill. I was in about the same situation as you about 6 months back. I purchased a house/machine shed/barn on 5 acres. I was looking at all kinds of compact tractors, 8N"s, Case 430, etc etc. I went complete overkill and bought a John Deere 4030 Diesel with a loader. That"s 80HP. My wife gave me alot of grief about being "overpowered", but that thing is so handy, and I"m on it everyday. Works out great...at the time I didn"t expect to buy a hay baler, but I did, now I"m doing some custom work and darn glad I went with a bigger tractor. Also, just put up 75 round bales this week and stacked them 2 high in the barn with the loader.

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Jim.UT

06-29-2007 16:56:22




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 Re: 8N or 3400 Diesel ??? in reply to Katharine, 06-29-2007 12:47:02  
Who cares if it's overkill. If the price is the same, take the 3400. You'll be surprised how soon you'll find yourself in a situation where you wish your tractor was bigger.

Plus the features on the newer tractor will far outshine what the 8N can offer.



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Stumpalump

06-29-2007 15:43:15




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 Re: 8N or 3400 Diesel ??? in reply to Katharine, 06-29-2007 12:47:02  
I have a 51 8N with a trip bucket and I love it.
Simple to work on and altho I only use the loader ,6" chipper, and back blade I hear they really shine brush hoggin.



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gary hanchett

06-29-2007 14:40:28




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 Re: 8N or 3400 Diesel ??? in reply to Katharine, 06-29-2007 12:47:02  
Iff'n it were me in your place I would try to arrange to use this tractor for a reasonable time period , see if your comfotable with it . An 8N is not a very useful tractor without live hydraulics or pto .If you cant demo this 3400 I would keep looking. A tractor in this HP range should work well for what you intend.



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RodInNS

06-29-2007 14:25:10




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 Re: 8N or 3400 Diesel ??? in reply to Katharine, 06-29-2007 12:47:02  
The 3400 is quite a bit more tractor than an 8N. It's got live hydraulics and MIGHT have live PTO along with simply being a lot more able than an "N". Really, I wouldn't think about it if the 3400 was in good working order. I'd take the 3400.
However.... when somebody tells me that it will burn a quart of oil while mowing 20 acres, I've got a problem with that. Those engines normally don't burn any oil..... so this one's obviously got broken rings or is plum worn out. Keep in mind that it's not uncommon to dump close to 3 grand in PARTS into one of those engines to overhaul it properly. So, I'd be careful of this 3400....

Rod

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Michael Bright

06-29-2007 14:21:15




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 Re: 8N or 3400 Diesel ??? in reply to Katharine, 06-29-2007 12:47:02  
I bought 7 acres and an 8n twenty five years ago The 8n was all I could afford then $ 2500.00 I cussed that tractor everytime I went to use it because it wouldn't start or something else was wrong with it. I finally found a used 88 John Deere 850 diesel and I love it. Also sold the 8n after fixing everything and making her look good 5 years ago for $ 3400.00. I guess looking back she did her job well and I made money in the end but you couldn't give me one now.

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02XLT4x4

06-29-2007 13:58:24




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 Re: 8N or 3400 Diesel ??? in reply to Katharine, 06-29-2007 12:47:02  
The diesel will be cheaper to operate than the 8N until something breaks on/in it, then it will slide to the 8N's favor very quickly. I am not a big 8N fan but unless you run it hard everyday a gas will do just fine.



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Katharine

06-29-2007 13:49:23




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 Re: 8N or 3400 Diesel ??? in reply to Katharine, 06-29-2007 12:47:02  
Ok, WOW! He's offering it for $2,800. He say's it does have some "blow-by" and that after mowing 20 acres, I might have to put a quart of oil in it... Is this a good deal? Are they still easy to get parts for?



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RAB

06-29-2007 14:59:28




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 Re: 8N or 3400 Diesel ??? in reply to Katharine, 06-29-2007 13:49:23  
Katharine,
That blow-by COULD be due to light usage and it needs a good work out on some heavy task -ploughing at full power for a few hours. Diesels can be like that. However, it COULD be in need of an engine overhaul. That might mean a reasonable cost at some time or mega bucks. Can't tell. Diesels need to be worked, at least periodically, not just idled around all the time.
An example: we bought a car recently. 100,000 miles, one owner - used more oil than vendor stated (expected). Acceptable, but more than I liked. After running hard for 4,000 miles the oil consumption has reduced considerably - more than halved and power has improved. I would say that is typical of a good diesel run around slowly for some time. Tractor wise, the 3400 is, like others have said, streets ahead of the 8n. In the UK fuel prices dictate diesel over gas every time, unless very little usage. Routine maintenance on a diesel is far less than a spark ignition/carburettor engine. Major overhaul work can be much more expensive, but not necessarily so. Also may depend on where you are situated - warmer or colder!
Your call. Is price negotiable?
Regards, RAB

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John (MO)

06-29-2007 13:24:44




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 Re: 8N or 3400 Diesel ??? in reply to Katharine, 06-29-2007 12:47:02  
The 8n is a great tractor for pulling a wagon in a parade. If you want to do anything else, get a different tractor. Run, do not walk to take the guy up on his offer.



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Alabama-Ed

06-29-2007 13:20:45




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 Re: 8N or 3400 Diesel ??? in reply to Katharine, 06-29-2007 12:47:02  
Get the 3400.The 8n replaced the mule on the farm.The 3400 with the deisel will do everything you need to care for your 5 acres.It will be cheaper operated and have more features than the 8n.Just make sure it has a 3pt. hitch and you will have a tractor made for mowing,landscaping and garden work.



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Jim in NC

06-29-2007 13:11:15




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 Re: 8N or 3400 Diesel ??? in reply to Katharine, 06-29-2007 12:47:02  
8Ns are very useful and dependable. I grew up knowing many farmers that had one for their first tractor. I wouldn't mind having one to play with or take to shows. That being said, get the newer and bigger 3400. You can do much more with it and with a gallon of diesel vs. a gal. of gas and your work time may be less. If the condition of the 3400 is as good as the 8N, that would be my choice.

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driftwood

06-29-2007 12:51:59




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 Re: 8N or 3400 Diesel ??? in reply to Katharine, 06-29-2007 12:47:02  
when most folks get a newer tractor than the 8n they don't look back... but you should run the diesel some and see what you think...some diesel's start hard in 0degree weather.



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Gerald J.

06-29-2007 18:13:16




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 Re: 8N or 3400 Diesel ??? in reply to driftwood, 06-29-2007 12:51:59  
I had an 8N once. Made money when I sold it with new tires and wiring. As for doing useful work, it was a toy. Real work takes a bigger and more versatile tractor. More weight, live PTO, live hydraulics, more than 4 gears, etc.

Gerald J.



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