1981 FORD 1200

MaineGuy · Jun 29, 2004

I'm looking for general information and experiences with the little 1200. So far I believe it's a 16 hp 4x4, 2cyl diesel, 5 forward and 1 reverse spd with high and low. It's rated 13 hp at rear pto and has a 3pt hitch. I bought one last week along with a 48" rm finish mower. I mow a little over 2 acres and it seems to do a pretty good job.
I've been told that a small fel could be fitted to the machine but there was none originally built for it. I'm also wondering if it could pull a small bush hog style cutter?
On the down side I've been told that parts are hard to get (slow boat from Japan) and they're expensive.
The upside is, tractor is the right size for my shed and yard and more fun to operate than my old Homelite T-10
Sorry to ramble on and on but I would like to hear from anyone who has owned or operated this tweener.
Thanks
David

OhioGuy · Jul 6, 2004

Hey David,
I've owned a 1220 for a little over a year, it's been a great little tractor. I'm guessing it's similar to your 1200.

Mine has a front loader and backhoe. I bought a 5 foot 3 point finish mower and a 4 foot brush hog. All the implements work great. The brush hog I bought is a 4 foot King Kutter, about $525. It's worked really well.

I haven't needed any parts outside of oil and filters and three point odds and ends.

Good luck, enjoy your tweener!

Curt

MaineGuy · Jul 8, 2004

Curt.
I've had the 1200 for a few weeks. So far it's only been used to pull the rfm. I'm having a receiver made to fit on the 3pth, so a trailer can be pulled.
Is your 1220 a 3 cyl with power steering? What's your horse power? It must be quite a bit more than the 1200 that I have. I was told that ther might be a problem with my steering if I put a fel on my tractor because of the manual steering. Is your fel ford factory or after market?

Thanks David

OhioGuy · Jul 8, 2004

Hi David,
Mine is the 3 Cyl model. It's 18HP, 14 PTO HP, I believe and yes it does have power steering. The lack of power steering wouldn't rule out a FEL but it would make it harder to steer at very low speeds. In the ideal world a 4WD power steering unit is a better tool but a 2WD non power Steer is still going to have all sorts of uses. I moved some boulders with mine this summer that I attempted to move last year with a trailer and spud bars, timbers, I just gave up.

The bucket also helps clearing brush, you can sort of knock it down with the bucket, then back into it with the rotary cutter or just go straight through it.

Just a thought, maybe you could keep an eye out for a 1210, 1220, 1320 and it would still fit in your building. You might end up ahead by buying one with the FEL already setup, it will be pricey to do on an existing tractor?

Good luck, Hey fill out your profile and I'll email you some pics.

Curt

Inspector507 · Jul 8, 2004

E-mail addresses have been temporarily removed from all profiles. Maybe send a PM through here with the e-mail address.

OhioGuy · Jul 8, 2004

I'll bet it's a spam control thing, too bad you need to do that kind of stuff, but you do. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

We need a do not email list to go with our do not call list.

I haven't tried the PM option, time to learn a new trick. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Curt

Inspector507 · Jul 8, 2004

Curt,
It's really simple to do. Click on the persons name, look at the bottom of his/her profile page. Look for "Send a private message"

MaineGuy · Jul 8, 2004

Curt, thanks for your thoughts. I will probably go without the fel for now unless a good deal comes along. But, I will do as you say and keep an eye out for the 1210, 1220 or something in the next year or so. Even without the fel I'm going to get a lot of work out of this little tractor.
I'd like to see your pictures and will send you an address.

David