Price Check Good buy? Ford 1700 4wd for $3000

[MMagis]

I’m just saying, if they’re already loaded they can be a handful at best. Dangerous at worst. I paid very little for a farm call from my local tire shop last time I needed a new tire. For me, it was $ well spent. While I stood there and BSed with the guy for an hour about local gossip, he had the old tire off, new one mounted, filled, and back on the tractor.
If there’s no need to load the tires, it’s not a big deal, and cheaper. I wouldn’t want a tractor without loaded tires, but I understand my terrain and usage differs from others.

 

[Ray0]

Thanks for all of the replies and info. I definitely feel that $3,000 is too much. I don't plan to offer anything more than $1,800 but would hope to get it closer to a grand. I know I'm probably looking at $2,000 plus to get it rolling right. I'll keep ya'll posted.

 

[Ray0]

So I spoke to the seller last night. The tractor has 1900 hrs on it. He has only owned it for a few months, decided he wanted something with a bucket. As far as the 4wd issue goes, he says that sometimes it goes into 4wd and sometimes it won't. So it doesn't sound like there is an issue with the axle. Sounds like there is an issue with the actuator. Does anyone know what type of action is used to actuate the 4wd? Cable driven I would imagine? Considering the roughness of the tractor, the bugs to be worked out with the 4wd system, and the hours that are creeping up pretty high, does $1,500 seem like a reasonable offer for this tractor? Thanks again.

 

[art]

The tires if you owned the tractor and were using it probably wouldn't get changed till a flat, the fronts look new and at 1900 hours are a little premature but it might have been a dry rot issue. The fronts do look a little tall compared to the back possibly changing the ratio which might be part of the four wheel drive issue which normally is a problem getting it out of four wheel vs getting it in. Sheet metal does get expensive and hard to get for twenty year old tractors!
If you want a loader your best bet would be to wait for a tractor with one!

 

[fried1765]

The tires if you owned the tractor and were using it probably wouldn't get changed till a flat, the fronts look new and at 1900 hours are a little premature but it might have been a dry rot issue. The fronts do look a little tall compared to the back possibly changing the ratio which might be part of the four wheel drive issue which normally is a problem getting it out of four wheel vs getting it in. Sheet metal does get expensive and hard to get for twenty year old tractors!
If you want a loader your best bet would be to wait for a tractor with one!

My thought on the rear tires:

In 1973 I bought a 1951 8N. It needed new front tires (they were 22 years old).
I bought 2 new fronts, and put them in the barn. The two old front tires were certain to go flat soon.
Today the new tires are STILL in the barn (they are probably now dry rotted), and the original tires are still on the tractor.
I don't use the 8N very often, but I still do so several times each year.
Those front tires are now 65 years old !
They are dry rotted, and cracked, and look terrible, but they STILL hold air.
If you buy the tractor, don't spend your money on new tires, until you are CERTAIN that you will keep THAT tractor.
After all, your rear tires are a mere 33 years old.
Sure, they are badly worn, but they hold air!

 

[silvertramp]

So I spoke to the seller last night. The tractor has 1900 hrs on it. He has only owned it for a few months, decided he wanted something with a bucket. As far as the 4wd issue goes, he says that sometimes it goes into 4wd and sometimes it won't. So it doesn't sound like there is an issue with the axle. Sounds like there is an issue with the actuator. Does anyone know what type of action is used to actuate the 4wd? Cable driven I would imagine? Considering the roughness of the tractor, the bugs to be worked out with the 4wd system, and the hours that are creeping up pretty high, does $1,500 seem like a reasonable offer for this tractor? Thanks again.

$1,500 wouldn't fly around here. I have recently sold two houses. Stupid lowball offers do nothing but get me angry.

 

[paulsharvey]

I would run the rear tires till I saw air. No reason to replace them unless you Have too, but I would use that as a bargaining chip. I don't know what the tractor is worth too You, but I think just under 2000-2500 is around a good place. If you can get it for $1800, I think your pretty safe. If he really needs $3000 for it, I would pass.

 

[MMagis]

Some of you must use your tractors differently if you could get by on those tires. Look about as useful as turf tires to me.

 

[paulsharvey]

Some of you must use your tractors differently if you could get by on those tires. Look about as useful as turf tires to me.

I assume he easn't pulling a 12 ft chisel plow with a 25 hp. If your running mostly PTO stuff or grading on fairly firm material, he could get at least a few years out of them. No way I would put $800 worth of tires on it, until I've used it for a while to see if there are major mechanical issues that might make it not his long term machine.

 

[MMagis]

I wouldn’t be able to perform the most simple of tasks, like feeding a bale of hay to the cows, with those tires and the mud we have right now. I MIGHT be able to get up the hill to my house if I stayed on the gravel driveway, but only if everything is thawed.