Comparison Ford 1520 or NH TC18

[tums20]

Both seem to be right size for my needs
Both have FEL Ford 1520 a little more HP

2006 TC18 is at $8000 FEL 1700 Hours

1520 (Do not know year yet) $10,500 FEL 1200 hours

These are the two in my area at moment, not really set on any one brand just no Kubotas or JD at moment

 

[RickB]

Feature for feature it's a no-brainer; 1520 hands down. Power, weight, comfort, filter prices, serviceability, loader capacity, parts commonality with other models.

 

[Cam-Saskatoon Canada]

tums20

You may want to check on the 1520 for availability of parts. AFAIK, the original subcontractor to Ford that built those tractors no longer makes parts for the engine at least and maybe even the transmission. I had one for several years and liked it but I knew that if anything went wrong with it, it became a door stop so I traded it off. Ford now has a new subcontractor making them now.

 

[fried1765]

tums20

You may want to check on the 1520 for availability of parts. AFAIK, the original subcontractor to Ford that built those tractors no longer makes parts for the engine at least and maybe even the transmission. I had one for several years and liked it but I knew that if anything went wrong with it, it became a door stop so I traded it off. Ford now has a new subcontractor making them now.

According to TractorData.com the Ford 1520 was built by Shibaura.
My Ford 32HP Ford 1920 4x4 was also built by Shibaura, and parts are reasonably available.

 

[RickB]

According to TractorData.com the Ford 1520 was built by Shibaura.
My Ford 32HP Ford 1920 4x4 was also built by Shibaura, and parts are reasonably available.

Both tractors were built by Shibaura. I've never been a fan of the Class I New Hollands. Lots of money for what they are, spendy parts, hard to service as compared to larger and older Ford & NH CUT's.

 

[fried1765]

Both tractors were built by Shibaura. I've never been a fan of the Class I New Hollands. Lots of money for what they are, spendy parts, hard to service as compared to larger and older Ford & NH CUT's.

I would agree with the "lots of money" assessment. The Catagory l Shibaura tractors have certainly held their value better than most.
Parts are "spendy", but aren't most all tractor parts "spendy"?
I consider that my 1920 is actually quite easy to service. With the exception of the engine and transmission, I have had mine almost completely apart.
My 1920 weighs nearly 1000 lbs. more than a new 32HP tractor (weight is your friend).
My 1920 has zero electronic gadgets, that are out there just waiting to fail, and impossible to troubleshoot.
My 1920 has an absolute zero need for DEF!
I have two older Fords, but do not notice any significant servicing difficulty difference.
I would DEFINITELY not pay anywhere close to $10,500 for a 1200 hour 1520 Ford though.

 

[RickB]

I would agree with the "lots of money" assessment. The Catagory l Shibaura tractors have certainly held their value better than most.
Parts are "spendy", but aren't most all tractor parts "spendy"?
I consider that my 1920 is actually quite easy to service. With the exception of the engine and transmission, I have had mine almost completely apart.
My 1920 weighs nearly 1000 lbs. more than a new 32HP tractor (weight is your friend).
My 1920 has zero electronic gadgets, that are out there just waiting to fail, and impossible to troubleshoot.
My 1920 has an absolute zero need for DEF!
I have two older Fords, but do not notice any significant servicing difficulty difference.
I would DEFINITELY not pay anywhere close to $10,500 for a 1200 hour 1520 Ford though.

Servicing a TC18 is a nightmare compared to the same list of tasks performed on a 20 series. I spent 15 years servicing New Holland and Ford equipment, and could do an engine oil change, change ALL filters, check all other fluids, grease, clean battery terminals and tire pressures in about a half hour in any 1720 or 1920. Takes almost that long to remove and install the engine side covers on a TC18. A pair of TC18 air filters cost almost as much as all the filters for a 1520. That particular 1520 is a little high priced, but location has some role in pricing.