Free Ford 1210

[Hexa Fox]

Hey guys for years my neighbor has been interested in getting rid of his Ford tractor. So I do not think it has ran in the better part of a decade. He recently told me that it was free to me if I wanted to have it. I have posted elsewhere and got a lot of mixed feedback. I have never owned a tractor before but have been in the market for one for a long time. I do not think he really has any attachments left for it. Anyway I would love to get some feedback. The neighbor used it when it was running and I believe he told me that it leaking fuel on one of the cylinders or something.

Anyway I think it would be really cool to have if I could find FEL for it. So far I have learned that it may be tough to locate one. I heard that the company that made this Ford was also making New Holland at the time so an equivalent New Holland FEL would work. I have already checked with a couple companies that make after market FEL's but unfortunately they do not make one compatible with this tractor. Anyway I do not even know where to begin looking for an attachment like this because I need a specific one. I have worked on plenty of engines over my life but never had to work on a diesel engine before. Anyway I would love to hear feedback on what you guys think I should do. Even though I heard these engines are reliable I do not know how much money I want to invest into attachments or work though. I will also attack a picture of the tractor as well.

 

[K5lwq]

Not a great candidate for loader work but they were good little tractors that could do a lot of work. It could be a fun project to get it running again but depends on what you want to do with it.

 

[hornett22]

You'll most likely find a unicorn before you find a loader. I'd tinker with it and get it running since it's free but honestly, if you need a loader, I'd buy something newer that already has a loader.

 

[WM75Guy]

Look at it as a fun hobby project or a learning opportunity to work on a diesel, not one you are going to make money on. They are good little tractors, 16 HP Engine/13.5 HP PTO. That model was made from 01/83 to 12/86 according to the Messick's online parts lookup. There are some OEM parts still available but an OEM 768A or 768B FEL would be unlikely except from a tractor salvage yard. Westendorf makes one for that model. If it were me, I would not put an FEL on it.

TA-55 Westendorf Loader | Tractor Attachments | Westendorf

Browse the TA-55 Westendorf Loader and other Front-End Loaders in the Compact Series (10-90 HP) at Westendorf.

www.loaders.com

​

 

[Hexa Fox]

Thanks for the responses guys! So if I get it running and tinker with it a little would it be fair to sell it to someone else to put it towards something newer?

Also could you guys tell me where I could look for tractors parts like a FEL for it? I read what you guys seem to agree on it so probably will not look to hard or spend a lot of money. Just out of curiosity. Do you just Google tractor junkyards and hope to have one local?

 

[WM75Guy]

If it was running, you could sell it and get your down payment on a new one. Otherwise it would just be for a parts tractor and it wouldn't go for much. If selling it is your plan I would forget about an FEL. For what you would have to spend to put an FEL on it, you would not recoup the money. Here are some examples of ASKING prices, not selling prices.

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listings?keywords=ford%201210

 

[K5lwq]

You likely will put more into it than what you can sell it for even without a loader. Just looking at it I can not be certain but, it looks like a 2WD. They had a belly mower for them and I would see if he has one.

If your plan is to sell it, I would make sure your neighbor understands that is your plan before you take it. It definitely is not worth creating a issue with your neighbor.

 

[sandman2234]

You likely will put more into it than what you can sell it for even without a loader. Just looking at it I can not be certain but, it looks like a 2WD. They had a belly mower for them and I would see if he has one.

If your plan is to sell it, I would make sure your neighbor understands that is your plan before you take it. It definitely is not worth creating a issue with your neighbor.

I was thinking it was 4wd due to the six lug nuts on the front wheels, as I thought the front wheels on the two wheel drives had 5 lugs, and usually only ran the 3 rib tires, but I can see really big holes in most of my reasoning for this thought process.
Hexa Fox,
As far as the value, I would probably be interested in it AS IT IS, because it is a great parts tractor for the 1100 4wd that I have. It was my first tractor and I would bush hog lots with it, filled a pond and whatever else I wanted to do, because it beat the heck out of using a shovel or a weedeater!
I don't know what you are considering as far as parts for it, but ANY parts I have ever purchased for it, when they were available, have been in my eyes extremely EXPENSIVE! ($500 for a replacement muffler sound expensive to you, and that was in 2004 when they were available!) That is why I would consider driving 1600 miles (round trip) to pick it up and pay you for it, if we could get together on a price.
I knew they had FEL available for them, but the capacity of that loader would not be very much, due to short wheelbase and extremely limited weight capacity. Plus they hydraulics don't put out enough volume to run a loader fast enough to make it feasible.
I know enough about that little tractor to get it running again and use it on mowing the two houses I currently have to mow, which is about 5 acres total.
If you decide that you do want to keep it, instead of selling it (hopefully to me!) then feel free to send me a private message with your phone number and we can discuss any issues you have with it. I may have a manual for the 1100, which is very similar to the 1210 in a lot of ways.
I had a lot of various implements for the little tractor, but when I bought my JD2555, I mistakenly tried to use the same implements on it that I used on the little Ford. The JD2555 destroyed them due to the huge difference in horsepower. I still have a 4 foot bush hog, two 5 foot finish mowers, and a rear blade that didn't get destroyed that can be used with the little Fords.
David from jax

 

[Gem99ultra]

This little 1210 is similar to my old Mitsubishi tractor. Great to own if you have none, but don't expect to get much productivity out of it. Any load, either lifting or pulling, and you'll immediately exceed it's capability.
I bought mine cheap and sold it even cheaper. My suggestion is to save your effort and money for something a little bigger and useful.

 

[Yander]

I had a Ford 1210 years ago and it had a belly mower and a snow blower. I also had a dirt scoop I used with it. They are nice running little tractors. Shibaura engines and new holland still puts the Shibaura in some of their tractors. I have a Shibaura in my little Case DX24e and also in my MILs MF 1750m.

I was told that parts can be difficult to find for the older Fords. I didn't have it long enough to find out. It mowed fine. The resale on it will not be very good but if you buy a few rear implements for it it could be a useful piece of equipment. Dirt scoop is a poor mans loader.

 

[Hexa Fox]

If it was running, you could sell it and get your down payment on a new one. Otherwise it would just be for a parts tractor and it wouldn't go for much. If selling it is your plan I would forget about an FEL. For what you would have to spend to put an FEL on it, you would not recoup the money. Here are some examples of ASKING prices, not selling prices.

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listings?keywords=ford%201210

So that is the major problem lol. I have no clue what I want to do with it. Thanks for the link though. I would certainly like something that is more capable. I see one in those listings that has a Westendorf FEL. I am looking at them now.

You likely will put more into it than what you can sell it for even without a loader. Just looking at it I can not be certain but, it looks like a 2WD. They had a belly mower for them and I would see if he has one.

If your plan is to sell it, I would make sure your neighbor understands that is your plan before you take it. It definitely is not worth creating a issue with your neighbor.

Unfortunately, he did have a belly mower for it but it rusted out. I am actually the one that hauled it to the scrapyard for him several years ago. I think he has a post hole digger for it which may suite this tractor well.

Thanks for the advice. I also thought about whether or not I would create an issue with him. Because I have worked for him many years and he said right now he is only offering the tractor to me for free. I will make sure he knows that I may plan to list it after I get it running and see what it would sell for. I have a friend that offered to help me work on it, I will probably have to split the profit of the tractor but he does know diesel engines, whereas I do not. I have always wanted an LBZ Duramax.

 

[K5lwq]

You may want to ask your friend if he will split the losses with you as well. Just kidding but I seriously doubt there will be any profits unless you sell it for parts.

 

[Hexa Fox]

You may want to ask your friend if he will split the losses with you as well. Just kidding but I seriously doubt there will be any profits unless you sell it for parts.

lol I mean I think it will sell for a good profit to the right buyer. Just I think you are the one who said it that I will not make much more than a new tractor payment off of it which I expect.

 

[Yander]

It depends on how much work you have to put into it to get it running good. It could be a nice little extra tractor if you have the space for it. You can't run too much behind the PTO but you could put some small things behind it. It is better than a garden tractor all day long.

 

[sandman2234]

lol I mean I think it will sell for a good profit to the right buyer. Just I think you are the one who said it that I will not make much more than a new tractor payment off of it which I expect.

I would pay $1000.00 for it just from the picture you posted, and come get it! (or have somebody come get it for me!) without a second thought! Any more and I would have to consult my Bride, lol!
David from jax

 

[Hexa Fox]

Did you see where I posted about one of the cylinders leaking?

 

[MTGreen]

You may want to ask your friend if he will split the losses with you as well. Just kidding but I seriously doubt there will be any profits unless you sell it for parts.

I agree I doubt you will make much if any to justify the parts and time - it would seem to me that this is a project for someone who wanted to keep and use the machine. I also agree FEL is also not the best idea for the light weight and short wheelbase. If you just need the FEL for picking up stuff and not for dirt/gravel work, you could look into a 3point boom or 3point scissoring forks with front bumper counterweights -for this size tractor it will have more lifting capacity than a FEL anyways with the tradeoff being it usually is not capable of lifting as high.

 

[sandman2234]

Did you see where I posted about one of the cylinders leaking?

I saw it...
My offer still stands...
David from jax
I also know where there is a FEL for it, but I would not even consider buying it for mine, because of the cost of the parts in my front axle, if you can find them. Two wheel drive will be hard to use a loader, due to traction issues when you load the bucket. I believe the max capacity of the front end loader was below 500 pounds, which isn't very much in dirt or rock. Maybe ok for snow, but you won't have the traction to do snow unless you buy the dual rear wheel setup I built many years ago. It is quite a cute machine when you put six tires on it!
I broke a little round gear in the left side of my reduction housing on the front axle, and the part back then (roughly 1990) was no longer available. I searched high and low and finally found one that would substitute for mine sitting on a shelf in a dealership. (I do a lot of traveling and chased down parts like that back then). I paid way too much for the part, but it worked and I have been extremely careful not to push the front end when in a bind. I know I will never find another one if I break this one!
I have sold my 1100 twice, and bought it 3 times. Both sales were to friends who really needed it more than I was using it. The first friend owned a machine shop, and less than an week after I sold it to him, he was driving across the yard and a rear axle broke. He called me and asked it I ever had any axle issues, which I never did. He priced a new axle and seal and gasket and it was over $1500. for just the parts. I pulled some strings with a parts lady I knew in a shop that closed, and got one for a little less for him. He was tickled with the savings and the fact that I actually found the axle. Last time I checked, it was listed as "No longer available".
David from jax

 

[sandman2234]

I also had 3 front end weights for mine back in the day, but they seemed to have disappeared at some point. Maybe they will pop up someday, but I doubt it. Been missing way too long.
David from jax

 

[Hexa Fox]

I saw it...
My offer still stands...
David from jax
I also know where there is a FEL for it, but I would not even consider buying it for mine, because of the cost of the parts in my front axle, if you can find them. Two wheel drive will be hard to use a loader, due to traction issues when you load the bucket. I believe the max capacity of the front end loader was below 500 pounds, which isn't very much in dirt or rock.

I would love to know about where to get a FEL for it. Could you teach me how this stuff works, I would be willing to pay you if we do not come to an agreement on the 1210. I have been reading a lot about tipping loads, breakout force and all the other stuff on tractors and skids. I thought skids could lift a near infinite amount, man was I wrong on that. Some of the smaller ones are not worth laughing at and the price you spend. I understand they are made to be construction equipment and fit in tight spaces but man.

So I was reading (Tractor Data?) that this tractor could lift around 800lbs to full height. That did sound like a lot to me for this little tractor. I thought immediately that I would need counter weight. I would love to have something that is 4x4 and possibly with a cab. Just you are talking a lot more than I can afford right now. I have been stacking a lot of wood lately and thinking about storing it in the IBC water totes. You need a strong truck and tractor if you are going to be transporting and lifting even one of them. That is also how I know people never deliver true cords of firewood anymore. You could be talking about three full tons of weight for some hardwoods and even more if it is green. Then people think they have half that loosely packed into their 1500 8' bed. Anyway I have seen a lot of tractors you would not think would struggle with a water tote cage but they absolutely do. A lot of them can just barley get it off the ground. So I know they are too heavy.