1050, what to look out for?

qstott · Jan 6, 2006

I've found a 1050 with 3100 hrs at a deal. It's at a JD dealership. They say they put a clutch in it a couple of years ago, and have just changed the fluids. The battery was dead when I went to look at it, but it cranked right up with a jump box. Paint is faded, but no major dents anywhere. The front tires are slick, but man!, those rear turf tires are huge! It smoked a little black smoke at start up, but cleaned right up. Can anyone give me a heads up, on things to look out for? Is there an engine overhaul in the near future? Anything I should be on the look out for? Thanks!

ScottAR · Jan 7, 2006

A little black smoke at start up is pretty normal... My 1050 has always done it. Nearly bombproof tractor if there was one.

Check the steering parts up front for wear. I've had to replace the left side "knuckle" where the steering arm comes up to the front. Not too expensive.

Brakes are $45 a shoe so check brake for pedal. They are flippable and have two wear adjustments both on the pedal linkage and on the brake cover assembly too.

Besides that, it's just looking for leaks and signs of damage or missing bolts... Happy shopping!

qstott · Jan 7, 2006

Thanks Scott, I feel a little better about it now. It was priced so cheap it almost made me afraid of it. Do you have turf or ag tires on yours? This one has turf tires and the front ones are slick, the rear ones have some deep cracks in them. I was browsing the internet for tires and the turf tires seem to be harder to find because of the size. The rears are 21.5L-16.1 and the fronts are 27/8.50-15 I think. I had thought about changing them to ag tires. Any suggestions?

ScottAR · Jan 8, 2006

Cracks are most likely weather cracks... Probably sat outside all it's life.

I run ags on mine as I think they have the best traction for loader work and that's what came on it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I don't mow the lawn with it unless my lawn mower is broken down. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Tire choice should be determined by what you want to do with the machine and what you'll be doing the majority of the time.

Jeff_Indiana · Jan 9, 2006

I personally would stay away from the old 50 series tractors as Deere has begun phasing out parts for them. My local dealer told me that he has a customer with basically a junk 4wd 1050, because the front hub assembly cracked, and Deere told him they have stopped making them. I know of another 1050 4wd at a dealer with the front end sitting on blocks with the same problem. If you do buy it, check the front hubs for leaks and cracks, and don't overload the front end if it has 4wd, because if you crack the hubs, you have a parts junker.

qstott · Jan 15, 2006

I bought it! It was cheap,but looked decent. Sheet metal was straight, and it didn't appear to have been abused. I bought a battery at the dealerfship, installed it, fired her up, and drove on the trailer. Got it home Friday and put some R4's on the front. It's 2wd but the R4's were the only pair of tires in town that were the corrct size. I like them, and they were cheaper! I was happy to see that it had dual hyd's on the rear. The rear lights didn't work, but I fixed them today. I borrowed a rotary cutter from a buddy and mowed around a couple of acres of trees I planted last year. I did see some dampness from the head gasket on the left side of the engine. I suspect I'll put a head gasket on it in the near future. I have my fingers crossed that the head is OK. It runs great, with no signs of water and oil mixing. Even if I have to buy a head, with the deal I got, I'll still be in fine shape. Anyone have any cautions about pulling the head on a 1050? I am looking for a set of rear ag tires and wheels if anyone can point me in the direction of some. Thanks!