It’s just a preference I feel. Like the gear drive vs hydro debate. They both have pros and cons as far as applications to use them in but neither is less rugged or dependable than the other. I’ve seen an original pull the front wheels off the ground pulling a sled with 26x12x12s on it and it’s belt drive but not the belt drive like people are used to today. The frame mods happen with the nf series after the original except for the 147 that had a factory knotched frame. Original has engine mounting different and the frame is inverted compared to a later nf so the engine doesn’t sit “down” in the frame on an O. Also, you can get around the frame mod in a nf by using a k301 (12 horse) flywheel and blower housing on the bigger 14 and 16 k series.
Anyway, it’s all about preference as there’s plenty of people who throw snow, plow, mold board, and mow with the 7 horses and have for 50 years. Keep an open mind and look for a good deal on ANY IH tractor and you won’t be dissapointed.
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(2) Original, 100, 102, 124, 73, 800, #1 and #2 cart, brinly plows, disk, IH184, IH244, 1948 F Cub
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