The Ford 8N tractor, released in 1947, sold 500 000 units by 1952.
Now New Holland intends to cash in on the nostalgia surrounding popular tractors, like the good old Vaaljapie, by launching a brand new model, with all the latest specifications but using the distinctive 8N styling. Joe Spencer reports.
The Ford 8N tractor, released in 1947, was the successor to the iconic Ford Ferguson 9N model that dominated the US tractor market during the 1940s.
The 8N was also highly successful and more than 500 000 were sold by 1952. Apparently, more than half of these are still working!
Many of the original Ford Ferguson models were exported to South Africa, paving the way for the famous Ferguson TE20, known locally as the Vaaljapie and tremendously popular around the world. Just as South African farmers grew up with the Vaaljapie, many Americans relate to the Ford 8N. To capitalise on this nostalgia New Holland is introducing the 11th model in the Boomer compact tractor line, the Boomer 8N, combining vintage design with modern, innovative amenities.
Classic, but competitive
The Boomer 8N offers both distinctive, timeless styling and cutting-edge features such as continuously variable transmission (CVT), a 37kW engine and hydraulics with a 1 270kg capacity.
The Boomer line is known for its ease of use, manoeuvrability, innovation and value, not to mention its distinctive appearance. A variety of sizes are manufactured to suit any operation from hobby farming to viable agricultural holdings and a wide range of matching implements are available.
The Boomer 8N was launched in the US in March, where tractors under 30kW currently make up the biggest share of the US. As yet there are no plans to introduce them in South Africa, where the market for compact tractors has yet to develop. |fw
