Comparison Ford 2810 vs Ford 1920

[Herk9106]

Hello.

New Member here, searching for advice.

I have a 1987 Ford 2810 with New Idea FEL that I purchased used about 15 years ago. It currently has 2700 plus hours. I have 25 acres mostly flat ground with a few hills. Our driveway has a large uphill grade on one side. I regularly use 6' Brush Hog to mow approximately 4 acres 4 times a year. I also have 2-14 bottom 3pt plow and 8' 3pt disk to plant food plots for deer every couple of years. I also own 6' box scraper, 8' York Rake and 10,000 tandem axle dump trailer (3300 empty). The tractor is used roughly 50 hours per year and has served me well. I have never ran out of power, but have ran out of traction pulling the dump trailer and using the box scraper.

Yesterday I came across a very clean, low hour (1100 hours) Ford 1920 with FEL. I have often thought of upgrading to a 4WD tractor, but haven't found "the one" yet. The 1920 is very tempting, but the slightly smaller size is a concern. The 2810 weights 4300 lbs, not counting the FEL and loaded rear tires. The 1920 weights roughly 3070 lbs, not counting FEL and loaded tires.

My 2 concerns are Power to run the brushhog and ability to pull the 10,000 dump trailer. Will the 1920 (33HP / 29 PTO HP) be able to run the 6' brush hog. The 2810 is rated 36 HP / 33 PTO HP. Is the 1200 pound difference enough to worry about, or will it be okay to pull the dump trailer even with slightly smaller loads?

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thank you.

 

[RickB]

Keep the 2810. Parts will be available forever in the aftermarket. A 1920 is maybe the best Ford/NH compact, but parts availability and price is already an issue. And it will not replace a 2810.

 

[Herk9106]

Thanks RickB. I figured that this tractor should last a lifetime for me, which realistically is another 30 years or so. The only shortcoming is that it is only 2WD. If I ever come across a 4WD 2810or 2910, I'll definitely jump on it. A 2120 wouldn't be a bad trade either.

 

[GManBart]

My 2 concerns are Power to run the brushhog and ability to pull the 10,000 dump trailer. Will the 1920 (33HP / 29 PTO HP) be able to run the 6' brush hog. The 2810 is rated 36 HP / 33 PTO HP. Is the 1200 pound difference enough to worry about, or will it be okay to pull the dump trailer even with slightly smaller loads?

Any suggestions are welcome.

Welcome to TBN!

I don't think the PTO power difference would be enough of a difference to cause you any problems. Sure, there might be a few times in heavy stuff when you have to slow down a touch more, but that should be the exception rather than the rule.

On the flip side, I think you might notice the 1,200lb lower weight when using your dump trailer. My dump trailer is about 4,500lbs empty (14K) and when loaded is a bit too much for my Massey which is around 4,300lbs. I have to be careful loading the trailer, and keep an eye on how level the ground is if I want to haul gravel or sand (or a mix). All it takes is a little slope up or down and you either have too much weight on the 3pt, and zero steering, or too much weight lifting the 3pt so zero traction. This is a big part of why I just bought a dump truck! I guess that's a long way of saying that it depends on how heavy you plan to load the trailer.