Ford FORD1520 4.40 star(s) (7)

Information, reviews, photos, discussion topics, owner pages, and specifications about the Ford FORD1520.
Under 25 HP Tractors

About the Ford FORD1520



Ford FORD1520 Discussions (96)

Here are the most recent FORD1520 topics from our community.
  1. B

    Think I just tore my clutch out. ford 1520

    Yeah I was using it to move some stuff around the yard here. Now when I let the clutch out it takes it a second or 2 to engage. It does appear to be slipping, Not sure what year my tractor is. the...
  2. B

    Backhoe Ford 1520 4WD and Ford 758A Backhoe

    Hello everyone, I did quite a bit of searching on the forum before I decided to post and didn't come up with much info. I have a Late 1980's Ford 1520 hydro with 7108 Ford Loader. I recently...
  3. A

    Replace my 30 year old Ford 1520 4WD compact with new Kioti CK2610H ?

    Replace my 30 year old Ford 1520 4WD compact with Kioti CK2610H ? I like my tractor. It doesn't burn oil. The turf tires do GREAT on ice & snow. The dealer says he'll give me $7,550.oo in...
  4. G

    Ford 1520 tractor engine problem

    I hope someone can help me with this. I have a Ford 1520 diesel tractor I purchased used 15 years ago. It's been a work horse!! Unfortunately my son got his truck stuck in the mud on the...
  5. R

    1993 Ford 1520

    Whats a Ford 1520 worth with loader & finish mower?
  6. M

    Ford 1520 blowing Hydr Filter Seal

    I've got a good friend with an 87? Ford 1520. 3 times in the last 2 weeks he has blown the gasket rubber out of the hydraulic filter, and the filter has been replaced twice. I'm a 30+ yr mechanic...
  7. J

    My 1988 Ford 1520

    I bought this little Jewel in 1988 after agonizing about buying American and buying a product whos manufacturer would not be out of business in a few years. "Arnold" lives at my rural place, in...
  8. M

    Ford 1520

    Just bought a 1989 Ford 1520 with 7108 loader, looking forward to learning what I can from being a part of this community. (I've already picked up some good info prior to joining) Thanx
  9. A

    Don't know where to start looking on my ford 1520

    I've got a 95 ford 1520 4wd. If I push the clutch to coast there is quite a bit of drag and it brings me to a stop kinda like the brake is on. Its not as hard as hittin the brake but hard enough...
  10. N

    1989 Ford 1520 ?'s, PS fluid,filters, startup, etc.

    Ill start off by apologizing for all the questions which may be common sense to most but not me, lol. Ill probably have more questions later but need to ask these to prevent myself from damaging...
  11. I

    Ford 1520 throttle shaft/ball?

    Apologies in advance since I'm very unfamiliar with tractors and the terminology used in describing their parts. That said, here's the problem. If you look at the picture you will see what my...
  12. G

    Decent price for a Ford 1520?

    We recently purchased eight acres and I'm in need of something larger than my dad's Gravely zero turn to handle mowing duties. My dad got to try out his friends Ford 1520 on the property today...
  13. B

    Ford 1520 belt change

    Can't say if the belt has ever been changed. Looks like I would have to remove the fan and radiator to replace the belt. Is that correct? Is there anything more to it than unbolting whatever I...
  14. M

    Ford 1520 price check

    Hello, I have been looking at getting a tractor and today i stumbled on one. I want to get a price check. I tried to search the forum and couldn't locate any recent ones... So i signed up and...
  15. G

    Ford 1520 - Electrical problem?

    Hello all, my Ford 1520 (1989 vintage, diesel, 4WD, Hydrostatic trans) has been pretty dependable for years but now is giving me a problem that has me stumped. I "think" it started about a year...
  16. B

    Help - ford 1520 bachoe hydraulics

    Also posted this in Hydraulics - I just mounted a Woods 6500 backhoe on my Ford 1520 copact tractor. I called the Ford Dealer and they told me to just connect the two lines from the backhoe into...
  17. P

    Ford 1520 Price Check

    Recently, I checked out this 1520 featured HERE It looked to be in decent condition, with minor surface rust here and there. The seat will definitely need to be replaced, as well as the tires...
  18. diphilanatx

    Separating Ford 1520 with HST

    Looks like I am needing to replace the clutch. Do I need to drain the hydraulic fluid before splitting it. It seems to be a generic note when working on the tractor. My fluid is still clear and I...
  19. C

    Ford 1520 (milled cast to milled cast) sealant?

    I had to change out the PTO countershaft and PTO gear because the PTO would not stay engaged for more than 5 minutes and kept popping out. I tore her in half and all apart but thats another thread...
  20. 9

    ford 1520 glow plug timer - fix worked for me.

    With my newly acquired 1520, I have been doing LOTS of reading. I understand that the glow plug lamp often does not light up because of the timer relay. I also understand that the timer often...
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User Reviews (7)

Read what TractorByNet members think about the Ford FORD1520 Subcompact Tractor
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43 %
4
57 %
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5.00 star(s)
monteagle auction

FORD1520 Ford
Awesome Machine.
Model Year: 1989

I'm a newbie to tractors. I wish I had done this when I was 20. It's like a Swiss Army Knife for grownups. I bought it at an auction, paid $3200 with 7120 loader. I wasn't sure about whether it was a basket case or not, but had been babied. I bought a basket case bush hog, though, and completely rebuilt that, box blade, etc. Have put 220 hours on it from June to August, working a bunch of messes around the prop, establishing roads, etc. I busted and re-welded the bucket, water pump replaced, blew out and stuck the universal on the pto and smashed the fuel pump. I'm pretty hard on equipment, obviously. But--she's really good-natured, 4wd, and just runs and runs.

Pros: Just enough power to keep me out of trouble.
Cons: I need more power to tear it up more.

5.00 star(s)
steve mickle

FORD1520 Ford
Great Tractor
Model Year: 1989

I love our 1520 bought it used, use it for everything , super handy tractor I have a problem, transmission stopped working don't know what to do.

Pros: Very versatile and powerful for it's size.
Cons: Need help troubleshooting problems.

4.00 star(s)
chut

FORD1520 Ford
Ford 1520
Model Year: 1989

Great little tractor for the $3500 price I paid. I knew I neded a larger compact, and still do, but this one has performed admirably within it's capabilities. I installed oversized front and rear tires filled with antifreeze, but tractor still loses traction when pulling heavy load.

Pros: Fuel economy is great.
Cons: Location of hydraulic oil filter is stupid. Can't use tractor for bush hogging or pushing over saplings.

4.00 star(s)
chut

FORD1520 Ford
Ford 1520
Model Year: 1989

Paid $3,500 when it had about 600 hours. Came with a heavy duty box blade, 6' bush hog (too big), root rake, pulverizer. Great deal. Now using a 6' Bush Hog finish mower, 30" rear scoop, 5'rear scrape blade, boom pole. Installed largest front and rear tires I could, filled with water-antifreeze. The tractor is a bit small and under-powered for the attachments, but handles most of them well, just slower. Very maneuverable in the woods. I was looking for 30 HP or larger compact, and still would prefer more power. Overall, it does more than I expected for the size engine it has.

Pros: Excellent fuel economy. Very strong for a small tractor.
Cons: Not 4WD. Basic transmission. Stupid location of hydraulic filter in harms way.

4.00 star(s)
angusblack

FORD1520 Ford
A Tough Reliable Little Tractor
Model Year: 1992

This is a basic, non HST 4WD unit with turf tires, a Ford/New Holland FEL and just 23 hp. I have used it to clear dead falls, dig a septic bed, chip 5 acres worth of brush (6" PTO chipper), move field rocks/build rock walls, grade driveway and soil (5' box blade), move earth and gravel and clear snow (6' blower). I have added two hydraulic controls, one for rotating blower chute, the other for the right 3pt lift arm (arm replaced by cylinder)to allow attachment level adjustments. Also used to drive a log splitter. With regular maintenance of oils, fuel and oil filters, coolant, and electrical connections I have had zero problems in 13 years of use. In heavy snow, must use lowest of 9 reverse speeds (forward and reverse have 3 gears and 3 ranges).

Pros: Sturdy, reliable, maneuverable.
Cons: Underpowered for a 6' blower and 6" chipper. No cab for winter.

5.00 star(s)
dpequip

FORD1520 Ford
Great Basic 2WD Tractor
Model Year: 1989

I bought this tractor from new and it does everything ask of it. It is 2WD and has loader. Tractor is light and I have the tractor loaded with ballast to the max. Needs more iron for the horsepower it has. I am a very experienced operator and have never had an issue getting the tractor to do what I want even with 2WD and a loader. The tractor bushhogs, blades and digs post holes all the time. I've owned the tractor for 25 years with no major issues. Other than filters I have only replaced the key switch which fell apart from vibration. I am going to replace the front tires this spring as they are pretty worn out and weather checked. Nice tractor you won't go wrong with.

Pros: Very reliable, fuel efficient, easy starting all weather.
Cons: Light weight, needs wore weight for the horsepower it has.

4.00 star(s)
thebean

FORD1520 Ford
Amazing Mini Farm Tractor. Not Amazing Hydrostatic Transmission
Model Year: 1996

The title basically says it all. I grew up with this tractor. My dad bought it new in 1996. To be fair, we did very much use this machine, and due to an odd circumstance our neighbor who was using the machine for a couple years did abuse it. The hydrostatic trans/pump is (as far as I can tell) totally fried. I think it isn't entirely a build quality issue but I am definitely not the only person who is having the same issue with their 1520, so it seems like the Achilles heel of this otherwise amazingly tough and usable machine. The 1520 is a little under-powered although again this is probably due to the hydrostat. Get a manual trans if you can. That said, the machine had enough power to do anything we needed which included a lot of dirt moving, brush hogging, tilling and heavy snow removal.

Pros: Heavy duty, compact, capable and easy to work on
Cons: Hydrostatic transmission is weaker than it should be and it could have a little more oomph

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Ford FORD1520 Owner Pages

View owner pages to see photos, customization and comments about member-owner Ford FORD1520s

Ford FORD1520 Community Rankings

#172 user rating of 731 Under 25 HP Tractors items
#619 Viewed of 731 Under 25 HP Tractors items
#24 discussed of 731 Under 25 HP Tractors items
#1203 user rating of 19624 items overall
#6807 Viewed of 19624 items overall
#147 discussed of 19624 items overall
#7 Ranking of Most-OwnerPages in 19624 items overall
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