Help talk me into or out of this tractor!

So as the title says, I need some help deciding on buying a tractor, a1949 Ford 8n, for $2500, all new rubber, tire chains and back blade, we started it today and it's obviously been sitting a while, but it started like it was running 5 minutes before, new battery, new brakes, couldn't find any leaks, drives just fine everything is as should be. Price is right, for what it is. Also here's the kicker, I know the guy personally and have worked with him and know him, my wife works with him every day, and he's willing to barter for some weld work, rocker panels for his truck, for $540 off the bill, and he's got more weld work for me to do than that, he's okay with payments. My plan is to give him a half down, down payment and $100+a month after that, entirely affordable for me.
So why am I having such trouble deciding you ask? I'll tell you, justification, I can totally use it for our driveway, plowing snow and grading the gravel, were at the mercy of if our neighbor (outstandingly nice, no complaints from me) has time to plow the easement, and he doesn't like plowing the yard between the house and garage. Which is a pain to almost never have it plowed, but oh well. I can also move a little dirt with it but not a whole lot of dirt to move around here, especially with no bucket. I can possibly get a mower for it and use it half a dozen times a year. But then I'm throwing money at it just to justify it. We don't have a wooded property to take it to and utilize it for getting firewood, nor do I have any land I want to till with it.
I most definitely want a tractor but it's going to be a long time before I can afford a compact that I would like, with a bucket that I can use a lot more, so I'm asking any body on here if they have one or if they can think of something I'm missing to use it for, without having a bucket and all. Yes you can put one on but it's not worth it to me to put another $1000+ into it I may as well spend the extra cash and get something a little more usable.
So, please help!!!
Here's a link that hopefully works
1949 FORD 8N

 

Man that's a good price and you can't beat out a value on personally knowing the person your getting it from. With that said...it truly sounds like you would prefer to have a tractor with a bucket. I would wait to get what you want and perform all the tasks at your home. I have a loader and when I think of what I use it for outside of using the bucket it's very minimal.

 

At the same time...considering your investment and the great shape it's in it's not like your going to lose money on it. If you get a year or two in and aren't using it can always sell it.

 

Yes that's the thing, it can hardly go down a whole lot in value, and I can resell it, another big thing is it is a starting point, and it'd be years before I can afford something I really want... I'm torn...

 

Hmm. We owned a Ford 2N with a bucket, brush hog, and a rear blade. We had it for many many years.

They are dependable, and pretty useful, but we mainly used it for mowing trails, and moving some dirt around.

 

I could use it for moving the trailer and splitter around, I've wanted to move both without starting my truck a hundred times, I was thinking about if they make forks for a3 point for it to move some stuff around. Any other little things such as that anybody can shine some light on?

 

damm good tractors, those old Fords. My FIL had one and he loved it.

 

8N's were great old tractors and very reliable! Get a nice set of round bale forks for moving pallets and you can build a removable firewood box for it. A nice pig pole for the back in case you want to lift stuff higher, a rear mounted dirt scoop and box blade....... The possibilities are endless and the attachments you can get never seem to end.....

Listen to Mastermech and get an overrunning clutch if you are going to bush hog with it!

King Kutter Boom Pole, Model# BP | Category 1 Scoops Carry Alls| Northern Tool + Equipment

King Kutter Reversible Dirt Scoop — 30in., Model# DS-30 | Category 1 Scoops Carry Alls| Northern Tool + Equipment


3-Point Pallet Fork, 2,000 Lb. Capacity

 

If you are looking for someone to talk you out of buying that tractor, Don't Buy It!

Now please give me your friends info so I can contact him because that is a pretty good deal and one I doubt you will lose on.

Seriously that's a good deal and you can find and add a bucket down the road. My uncle had an 8n with a bucket and rear blower.

 

I would jump on that deal and I don't even need a second one. Looks to be in decent shape as long as the clutch works properly and the rear hubs are not loose and the pto and 3pt hitch works. And barter some of the payment for work makes it even better. If you are somewhat mechanically inclined it should last many more years as they are easy and fairly cheep to work on. The tires would be one of the biggest expense on it and that's already been taken care of.

 

I can't help you , I have 5 cheap tractors lol

 

I grew up on an 8N, dad bought it in '96 and it's still his workhorse. It's used to bushhog field edges on 36 acres, mow a 3 acre yard, plow and disc their garden, and occasional gravel grading and snow plowing. Pros are they're simple tractors to work on and parts are still readily available since they're still popular. Cons, it can chug some gas! Also, IMO it doesn't work as well for snow as something with a front mounted blade. It's fine to push snow off to the side, but if you need to pile snow you'll have to turn the blade around and work in reverse which can be hard on the back/neck.

There are FEL kits for the 8N's too. They're limited in speed and strength and may not be worth the cost to install, but just wanted to let you know they are available on the used market.

 

My 9n is indestructible...buy it and if it does not suit your needs, sellit!

 

All good points and ditto.
I have fond memories of riding on the ORIGINAL grey Fergie with dad.
They are 2wd and suck pushing snow. Concrete ballast of the rear is a must.

They are good basic Machines!

Since the OP brought up money, I personally wouldn't do any borrowing, especially for a toy. For 2500 just put the cash down.

 

I would be all over that. But frankly, I don't think you need it.

 

It's not sitting in your driveway yet? Whatsthematterfor yourself?????

 

I don't like the backblade for clearing snow, only tried it twice, but it seemed to take me forever to do my 600 some foot drive.

 

Buy it! $2500 is not a lot of money. It won't be as nice to use as a new tractor, but to put some perspective on it, the loader alone on my Kubota was $3400! Even though I have a tractor, I have been looking for a heavier one for occasional use on my food plots. If I had a line on a tractor like that, I'd be buying.