1710 vs 1900

[De La Farmer]

Hey everyone. I'm new to the forum, but have read quite a bit about older Ford Tractors. I'm going to sell my Farmall 656 and get something a little smaller around 30 hp. I'm currently trying to decide between a 1986 Ford 1710 with 1800 hours and a FEL for $5000. Or, a 1979 Ford 1900 4x4 with 1600 hours and a 771 FEL, old bush hog, and blade for $6800. The 1900 has new tires all around too.

I've seen some good comments about these types of tractors and am wondering which model may be more prone to problems.

Thanks for helping out the new guy!

 

[JC-jetro]

Hey everyone. I'm new to the forum, but have read quite a bit about older Ford Tractors. I'm going to sell my Farmall 656 and get something a little smaller around 30 hp. I'm currently trying to decide between a 1986 Ford 1710 with 1800 hours and a FEL for $5000. Or, a 1979 Ford 1900 4x4 with 1600 hours and a 771 FEL, old bush hog, and blade for $6800. The 1900 has new tires all around too.

I've seen some good comments about these types of tractors and am wondering which model may be more prone to problems.

Thanks for helping out the new guy!

1900 is beefier, heavier (about 275 lbs) and few more horses (4hp at the pto) than 1710. 1900 has a live PTO as an option but 1710 comes with Live pto (dual clutch). It would be more advantageous to have live PTO than couple of extra horses in my opinion. What is your application? If you do any finish mowing live pto would be a lot better but for field mowing 1900 transmission driven pto probably is okay. Is the 1710 FWA (front wheel Assist)?. 4x4 and live pto is decision maker for me. They both are great tractors.

JC,

ps. welcome to TBN blue

 

[stuartshomepc]

Hey everyone. I'm new to the forum, but have read quite a bit about older Ford Tractors. I'm going to sell my Farmall 656 and get something a little smaller around 30 hp. I'm currently trying to decide between a 1986 Ford 1710 with 1800 hours and a FEL for $5000. Or, a 1979 Ford 1900 4x4 with 1600 hours and a 771 FEL, old bush hog, and blade for $6800. The 1900 has new tires all around too.

I've seen some good comments about these types of tractors and am wondering which model may be more prone to problems.

Thanks for helping out the new guy!

I agree with JC that the type of use should dictate which model that you get. Both sound attractive. I have a 1620 4wd Hydro but before that I used a friends 1710 a lot. It was a nice reliable tractor and with 4wd and Ag tires it went everywhere.

The 1900 with lower hours, more implements and new tires sounds like a nice deal. Tires will set you back a bunch of $$.

But as JC said you should look at your needs, the type of 4wd (on the 1710) and if you need a live PTO. More HP is always nice and the physical size of the tractor is probably close. I think the 771 FEL has a 68" wide loader bucket, where the 1710 probably has a 60" one.

my 2 cents...
Stuart

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

I have a 1900 fwd and it is a tank. Power steering is a must with a FEL .Are they both fwd. Make sure the fwd works properly because it is expensive to repair. I would go with fwd. When I broke the front end on mine I disabled the fwd untill I got the parts and couldn't beleive how much difference not having the front axle pulling made when using the FEL. My 1900 has a dual clutch. When mowing if you push the clutch pedal half way down it stops the movement of the tractor but the mower keeps spinning.When you push the pedal all the way down it stops the mower.
Bill

 

[De La Farmer]

Thanks guys for your input. After reading a lot of the different posts, it's nice to know that I'm acutally getting advice from people who know about these tractors.

Application of tractor: I wouldn't be using my tractor with a finishing mower. I'm lucky enough to have previously bought a Kubota ZD60 zero turn. The primary purpose will be to move dirt/gravel/rocks ect. I also plan to get a rotary tiller (about 60 inches wide) to use behind my tractor.

I'm not sure if the 1710 is fwd, the dealer website I'm looking at only has one profile picture to go off. The 1900 does have power steering, a new alternator, battery, plus the tires like I mentioned earlier. I haven't seen pictures of it yet because the Craigslist add didn't have any, but I did talk to the owner.

Anyways, below are a few pictures of what I'm auctioning off this weekend to help buy my new one. Farmall 656 with a 14' Woods mower.

 

[De La Farmer]

I copied some pictures of the 1710. After looking at them again I think it is fwd. What do you all think?

 

[JC-jetro]

I copied some pictures of the 1710. After looking at them again I think it is fwd. What do you all think?

Farmer,

You can not see drive shaft for the front wheel drive in the first pic but second pic confirms front wheel drive for the 1710. It appears the whole tractor is spray painted and for me it is always a negative as if they are trying to hide something, specially if the work looks shoddy. Although it is great to have live pto but I rather have 4wd, power steering, more heft and a good loader specially with your intended use. Both tractor if they are in good working condition will take care of your need. You would not need live pto for you future 5 foot tiller. Additionally if you were to change the clutch down the road single clutch will set you back a lot less ($120 vs around $1000). Post the picture of 1900. I would be more leaning toward 1900 and beefier tractor and still smallish.

JC,

 

[stuartshomepc]

I copied some pictures of the 1710. After looking at them again I think it is fwd. What do you all think?

Did you notice the bend in the bucket on the 1710. That shows some heavy work was done with it.

Also there are no headlights on the 1710?? I would assume the hood got mashed and a patch job was done. I thought that they all had headlights. That may be more signs of hard use.

And the mix of R4 tires on the front and Turf tires on the rear. You may be putting tires on it in a year or so, that will be $1500 to $2k.

It would be interesting to see pic's of the 1900.

Stuart

 

[De La Farmer]

Thanks again guys. Very helpful as usual. I didn't even notice the spray paint job on the 1710. I don't have any pictures of the 1900 yet. I'll probably try to look at it this Sunday. I'll bring my camera and take some then. Is there any problematic areas that can be seen with a picture? Meaning, should I take a picture of any certain area so you all can look it over?

 

[sld]

The 1710 looks funky with the mismatched tires. Not good.

If the 1900 doesn't look abused, weathered, leak any fluids and everything works good it would be a no brainer, especially if it has fwd.

 

[JC-jetro]

This is a picture of good looking well cared for 1710, it's a picture so you got to take my comment with a pinch of salt. The paint looks original as well. No head lights on the hood but they are located on the fenders like some old JDs.


JC,

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

I would stay away from the 1710. When you have R4's on the front and turfs on the rear you are putting all the stress on the front axle. Also did you notice one front tire is on backwards!!! Things like that throw a red flage to me.
Bill

 

[Dave1953]

I would run from that 1710 as fast as I could! The condition of the sheet metal (and or fiberglass) is usually a good indicator of the type of maintenice it has received. It's obvious the front has been smashed up and sadly patched up. I would say little preventive maintenice has been done and only what it has taken to keep it running is the only service it has received.

Dave
TC33DA, 14LA FEL, 758C BH, etc.

 

[De La Farmer]

I've gotten lots of good feedback from the pictures of the 1710 so far. Thanks to everyone who gave me their 2 cents.

I dropped off the Farmall at the auction site last night, God I hope it sells for what I need! I'll be checking out the 1900 Sunday evening if it does. I'll get some pictures of it then.

Thanks again!

 

[De La Farmer]

Hey guys, I got my Farmall sold at auction this weekend. I did pretty good; kind of wish I would have gotten more for my mower though.

Anyway, I've been looking at Craigslist for a new tractor and came across this Shibuara. I know they built tractors for Ford and still built engines for NH. Would this tractor match up with the 1710 or 1720? Thanks for your input.

All the seller writes is it's 3 cyl, 22hp, 800 lb FEL, 1100 hours and is asking $5500.

 

[stuartshomepc]

Hey guys, I got my Farmall sold at auction this weekend. I did pretty good; kind of wish I would have gotten more for my mower though.

Anyway, I've been looking at Craigslist for a new tractor and came across this Shibuara. I know they built tractors for Ford and still built engines for NH. Would this tractor match up with the 1710 or 1720? Thanks for your input.

All the seller writes is it's 3 cyl, 22hp, 800 lb FEL, 1100 hours and is asking $5500.

Congrat's on selling the Farmall.

As far as the Shibuara tractor goes I would do some research on the ability to get parts. Before I bought my Ford 1620 I was really tempted to get a gray market Kubota but after about a week of reading peoples stories on not being able to get parts I decided against that. Even simple things like air/oil filters were tough to find.

Then I started looking at tractors similar to the situation with your Shibuara. It was probably like a Ford, but can you get parts for it? Blow a part in the trans and you may have 5000# of scrap iron if you can't buy replacement parts. You do need to consider that things do break. If it's something that you want to own for a while, make sure that you can service it.

And I also considered the fact that maybe in 5 years I would be selling it. Would there be a buyer for it?

Things to ponder....

Are you using Search Tempest - Search Craigslist Faster, and More to search craigslist? It will help you find things within a designated distance from your zip code. It's quite handy.

Stuart

 

[De La Farmer]

Good point. I'll call my local NH dealer to see if they carry parts for the Shibuara.

 

[JC-jetro]

Good point. I'll call my local NH dealer to see if they carry parts for the Shibuara.

Shibuara made tractors for Ford and still makes tractors NH. I bet ya it is a reman with questionable past. The loader that you see there is a Bull Dog china made that is exclusively used for the Grey/reman market. The loader is pretty chincy and have read a few bad reviews about it. I have my doubts on the reman jobby specially from Vietnam. I'll personally avoid "pig in a poke".

JC,

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

I wouldn't be in a hurry. Take your time and find a good tractor you can get parts for. I see more tractors for sale every day. Money is getting tight and people are having to sell their toys. What ever tractor you are thinking of, go to that forum and read up on the problems of that model. A shibura is not the same as a Ford.The parts wont interchange. They dont have the same standards as Ford requires them to put into the ones made for Ford.
Bill

 

[stuartshomepc]

I wouldn't be in a hurry. Take your time and find a good tractor you can get parts for.
Bill

That's what I did, took my time after the initial "impulse" to get one passed.

At first I wanted one "NOW" but took almost a year to find what I wanted. My 1620 that I now love was $9k with a loader and a brush hog. And while it was about $2k more than the ones I was looking at it is 200% better than the gray market or $5k to $7k tractors that I had considered. It is a 1996 model it only had 250 hours on it vs the 1500hrs to 2000hrs on others that I was looking at. So I ponied up the money for a better unit with lower hours and I am sure glad that I did. One Ford 1710 that I was really interested in needed tires. Wow, I was shocked at the cost of even a used set at $1200+ . So I factored that into the purchase price of a lower hour tractor.

It's a tool but it is also an investment. Make sure it will work for you, you can fix it and will be marketable if you ever want to sell it. I think 'ya just can't buy cheap on such a tool.

my 2 cents.
Stuart