Recently purchased my first tractor, '49 8N. What is the best size for a disc harrow? 4ac farm, land has been broken many times.

Excellent advice/suggestions by Tim Daley. Safety is utmost importance when using a "N".. Such as, they "Will start in neutral"!!! So, NEVER stand in front of the rear tire when starting the tractor. Always stand on the step, or seated.

Now, have fun with it,,,

I use a 5 foot with mine and in plowed ground it is all it wants to pull without some wheel spin. It does not cover the width of the tires.

A 6' is perfect, a 5' may not cover the tire tracks and you want that. I had a FORD 7' disc harrow once but my 8N could barely lift it. Now, you say this is your first tractor. It is strongly advised by many of us that you invest first in the essential owner/operator/parts/service manuals for your tractor and read religiously. The original Operator's Manual is important as it covers the do's and don'ts of SAFETY so you don't get hurt and/or damage the machine. The FORD 8N and all previous 9N and 2N models all had a front mount distributor. In April, 1950 at s/n 8N-263844 they went to an angle mount distributor so you first need to determine which model you have. ALL FORD tractors up until the Hundred Series diesels were 6V/POS GND electrical systems. Many of these N's have been converted to 12V/NEG GND systems. You also need to know what the electrical system is and if it is wired correctly. We have a ton of FREE info in MANUALS and HOW-TO's. First get a copy of "WIRING PICTOGRAMS BY JMOR" in HOW-TO's/ELECTRICAL. Other differences between the 8N and 9N/2N is the 8N has a 4-speed transmission and POSTION CONTROL -two features that were never on 9N/2N models. Start with the manuals too...

FORD 8N OWNER/OPERATOR/PARTS/SERVICE MANUALS:

Tim Daley(MI)

5' or 6' I've pull 7' and 8' with them but can't raise them up with the front coming off the ground. Brake steering and the brakes on the old 8n ain't that great.

6' would be good for it.