wjsizemore77
Member
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2008
- Messages
- 28
Hello. First off, I am new to the forum and want to say that this is a great site with lots of information. I have been reading threads for a while, but this will be my first post. I apologize that it is lengthy.
I recently bought a Ford/NH 1725 MFWD with 2 PTOs (rear and middle) 97-99 model with 5790 hours. I know it has a ton of hours , but I think for a tractor that starts turn key, and fully functions for $1600 wasn't a bad deal, so long as I don't have spend a lot of money on it. It is not without some issues though, but nothing that I didn't know when I bought it. If I can get another400-600 relatively trouble free hours out of it I think I will be happy. So far I have put 4 hours on it pulling a 6' finish mower and it runs a operates well, considering how many hours are on it.
As you can tell, this is no showroom tractor, but after using it for 4 hours, it does every thing I need pretty well, which is mostly mowing. I don't plan on spending a ton of money replacing things that are not perfect that still function or have useful life. I would like to hear any tips or advice anyone can offer up to a new owner. I am not new to tractors, but this is the first one that I have owned.
Thanks,
Bill S.
I recently bought a Ford/NH 1725 MFWD with 2 PTOs (rear and middle) 97-99 model with 5790 hours. I know it has a ton of hours , but I think for a tractor that starts turn key, and fully functions for $1600 wasn't a bad deal, so long as I don't have spend a lot of money on it. It is not without some issues though, but nothing that I didn't know when I bought it. If I can get another400-600 relatively trouble free hours out of it I think I will be happy. So far I have put 4 hours on it pulling a 6' finish mower and it runs a operates well, considering how many hours are on it.
- Engine smokes gray/blue at startup and under load, but starts to clear up as it is worked. It is more grayish in color, but never completey goes away. Engine seems to make good power and doesn't bog under load. After 4 hours of use it seems to use about a pint to a half qaurt of oil. For now I will monitor it and add as neccessary. Not worth rebuilding until it gets much worse. Is there anything I might try to slow down consumption? Currently using Rotella 15-40.
- The clutch works good, but when starting out with the mower engaged, it slips a touch before fully engaging. It isn't a problem, but it will need to be monitored and not abused to extend the useful life.
- The starter seems to drag/not have full strengh. It looks like a reman unit. The engine turns over slow, but starts reliably. I have yet to test it with another battery, or remove it and have it tested.
- The front drive shaft rear universal joint is destroyed. Looks like something bound up in it. The spider is toast, front yoke is toast, the rear yoke has some damage to the metal but might be reused. Right now needing FWD is not a priority, and the local NH dealer says $209 for the u-joint assembly, so I will start looking for a used or alternate source for the part.
- Previouse owner put 14" trailer tires on the front that don't seat well around the bead and leak down slowly. Rear tires hold air, pretty well and have decent tread, but are really weathered and have some plugs. I will probably start looking for blems for the front first and then the rear.
- Three point position lever seems to have more tension than normal to slide. Is there an adjustment for this? I have lubricated all the moving pieces/pivot points to make sure they weren't bound up (left break pedal was sticking, but after grease works great).
- Throttle pedal cable broken and spring missing, missing some bolts for the bodywork/dash/firewall, one missing hazzard light, broken grab handle, worn out battery cables, misc minor items.
As you can tell, this is no showroom tractor, but after using it for 4 hours, it does every thing I need pretty well, which is mostly mowing. I don't plan on spending a ton of money replacing things that are not perfect that still function or have useful life. I would like to hear any tips or advice anyone can offer up to a new owner. I am not new to tractors, but this is the first one that I have owned.
Thanks,
Bill S.