Ford 1700, looking for better traction in mud, plowing, etc.
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JohnFourteenSix
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I guess for the most part, when I would need the most traction is when pulling; what happens is that the wheels just keep spinning and the tractor has nothing to grip on to. The chains would certainly be helpful in just normal operation if it's really muddy, but I think pulling stuff is where I end up having the most issues with traction.
mike48130
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I had a 1600 2WD with loader and the R1 tires. The loader makes the front end heavy and takes the weight off the rear tires. I bought some IH wheel weights since they seemed readily available and affordable in my area. Added 150 Lbs to each side. It was better when the loader was empty, but with a bucket load, it was still tough. Bottom line tho, is turf tires aren't made for pulling. Even with chains you will not be happy.
On my 1700 4WD I added quick disconnects to the loader hoses coming out of the control valve, and I would drop the loader arms by removing the 2 arm pins, and the 2 cylinder pins. With the quick disconnects, it was a rather simple task. The frame stays on, but not that much weight, and more over the center of the tractor. I would try getting the weight off the front end possibly weighing the back.
My solution was to sell the 2WD 1600 and buy a 4WD JD. Just saying. I still have a 1700 2WD with turf tires, but it is a dedicated brush hogger.
You should start looking for a set of R1's. They are out there used.
On my 1700 4WD I added quick disconnects to the loader hoses coming out of the control valve, and I would drop the loader arms by removing the 2 arm pins, and the 2 cylinder pins. With the quick disconnects, it was a rather simple task. The frame stays on, but not that much weight, and more over the center of the tractor. I would try getting the weight off the front end possibly weighing the back.
My solution was to sell the 2WD 1600 and buy a 4WD JD. Just saying. I still have a 1700 2WD with turf tires, but it is a dedicated brush hogger.
You should start looking for a set of R1's. They are out there used.
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JohnFourteenSix
Bronze Member
Yeah, I've been thinking for a long time about selling the 1700 and getting something better instead; but that's a whole other headache. Where's a good place to look for other tractors? Craigslist? Maybe auctions? Everything I find turns up prices in excess of 10k
I'm hoping that for a difference of not more than $2k I could sell the 1700 and get something with R1 tires and more capable of pulling and doing the things I actually need it to do. It's only got 1680 hours on it, which I understand is not a whole lot, but it doesn't look too pretty and has a broken weld on one of the places where the loader frame connects. I only paid $2000 for the 1700, which was good at the time, but have never been too happy with it. It's the first and only tractor I've ever used, and this is the first piece of land I've had.
I'm hoping that for a difference of not more than $2k I could sell the 1700 and get something with R1 tires and more capable of pulling and doing the things I actually need it to do. It's only got 1680 hours on it, which I understand is not a whole lot, but it doesn't look too pretty and has a broken weld on one of the places where the loader frame connects. I only paid $2000 for the 1700, which was good at the time, but have never been too happy with it. It's the first and only tractor I've ever used, and this is the first piece of land I've had.
mike48130
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Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace is getting pretty good.
I sold the 1600 2WD with the loader (with no down force) for $3200 about 3 yrs ago. Sold a 1910 2WD with loader for $3800 last summer. I had a 1700 4WD sold for $7000 in 2008. It all depends on the area and market. The 1700 is not a bad tractor especially if it is 4WD, but a little under powered for what I do these days, Bought the JD 4210 4WD with loader for $9500 Night and day difference to the tractor you have. Need a little bit of work, but got less than $10,500 into it with brand new R1 tires all the way around. Still a little under powered at 27HP and hydro, but will drive right thru the mud and snow. It's a second tractor, so keeping it cheap was a priority.
My buddy bought a 1715 really low hours 4WD with loader. Looks like it was garaged stored most of it's life. He paid $10500.
You need to watch some of the NH tractors with loaders. They have a tendency to crack the transmission case. The 1X25, 1X30 and early TC series all have the issue. The later TC series have a stronger transmission case. One of the reasons I went with JD's.
If you have that much mud, you probably need to look into a 4WD. No matter what you do with the 2WD, you will never be fully happy, so might not be worth throwing money at it for tires. But you still need to weight a 4WD tractor properly. A lot of people don't weight the rear end, and you still end up front heavy and can still have issues.
I sold the 1600 2WD with the loader (with no down force) for $3200 about 3 yrs ago. Sold a 1910 2WD with loader for $3800 last summer. I had a 1700 4WD sold for $7000 in 2008. It all depends on the area and market. The 1700 is not a bad tractor especially if it is 4WD, but a little under powered for what I do these days, Bought the JD 4210 4WD with loader for $9500 Night and day difference to the tractor you have. Need a little bit of work, but got less than $10,500 into it with brand new R1 tires all the way around. Still a little under powered at 27HP and hydro, but will drive right thru the mud and snow. It's a second tractor, so keeping it cheap was a priority.
My buddy bought a 1715 really low hours 4WD with loader. Looks like it was garaged stored most of it's life. He paid $10500.
You need to watch some of the NH tractors with loaders. They have a tendency to crack the transmission case. The 1X25, 1X30 and early TC series all have the issue. The later TC series have a stronger transmission case. One of the reasons I went with JD's.
If you have that much mud, you probably need to look into a 4WD. No matter what you do with the 2WD, you will never be fully happy, so might not be worth throwing money at it for tires. But you still need to weight a 4WD tractor properly. A lot of people don't weight the rear end, and you still end up front heavy and can still have issues.
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JohnFourteenSix
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Very few tractors available in my area with loaders. It seems most of them are lower powered glorified lawnmowers (as is mine.. but it also has a FEL). I do agree about needing 4wd in my area. There's lots of seasonal mud, or rather lots of swampiness, as Florida is literally a swamp. It seems I should be able to sell mine for $4k+ considering it has low hours and FEL, but not in the best condition (broken weld in FEL connection, generally dented, rusted here and there; gear shift gets stuck sometimes, lights not functioning). I suppose I could put mine up for sale.
I was hoping to avoid swapping my tractor, as I don't even have a trailer big enough to haul a new one (so I'd need to buy that as well... and boom, another $1k gone). It's good that people are generally telling me that chains won't help my situation.
What if the ground were relatively dry? Would that help the traction? I'm planning on doing some plowing so I can start planting my eucalyptus!
I was hoping to avoid swapping my tractor, as I don't even have a trailer big enough to haul a new one (so I'd need to buy that as well... and boom, another $1k gone). It's good that people are generally telling me that chains won't help my situation.
What if the ground were relatively dry? Would that help the traction? I'm planning on doing some plowing so I can start planting my eucalyptus!
mike48130
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Dry dirt helps of course. What model FEL? I'm sure it fits other tractors. You could find a tractor with no FEL and swap it over then sell the 2WD. If you could find a 1700 or 1710 4WD, the FEL should fit. Take the frame to a shop and have them weld it. I reinforced mine, I think they all cracked on the side lower mounts.
LD48750
Veteran Member
Just what is it that makes you think your 1700 is worth MORE now then when you bought it?
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JohnFourteenSix
Bronze Member
I bought at a discount it from the person who sold us this house. He mentioned the tractor being easily worth twice that. I'm researching now on tractors near me, and I'm seeing tractors of roughly the same capacity going for 3-6k depending on what they come with; none of them seem to have a loader though. They all seem in better condition than mine, though - at least visually. But mine runs perfectly fine.
Ford 172 Tractor with 5' Bushhog Finish Mower - farm & garden - by owner - sale for example
I don't mind bundling my bushhog along with my tractor. I've only used it once. My Scag Cheetah is more than capable of tackling anything I can throw on it (Though it might not be too happy about it). The bushhog is a pain to attach, though.
Ford 172 Tractor with 5' Bushhog Finish Mower - farm & garden - by owner - sale for example
I don't mind bundling my bushhog along with my tractor. I've only used it once. My Scag Cheetah is more than capable of tackling anything I can throw on it (Though it might not be too happy about it). The bushhog is a pain to attach, though.