Back in the Game! Ford 1220

dbrienza · Mar 8, 2002

Well as of a couple days ago I again feel like a legitiment member of the tractor community. I purchased a 1994 Ford 1220 (HST, 7106 loader, backhoe (I haven't figured out the model yet), power steering, ag tires 438 hrs) Someone is bound to ask, I paid $8800. Some of you may have seen it on ebay last week. It was formerly owned by a utility Co. in VA who used it to dig in confined residential spaces. I don't have much seat time yet, but it appears to be in fine condition; sounds good, hydraulics work well, etc.One flaw I found that I'll need to address soon is the bracket for the top link is broken, the 3 pt. arms are missing too so I'll need to get replacements.Driving it around and checking it out I'm concerned about the lousy ground clearance under the subframe-mounted backhoe. I'll want to keep it on for its weight, but it doesn''t take much of an incline to get the bottom of the hoe to drag on ground behind the tractor. I will be using the tractor for general landscaping chores around my house. Up until last fall I owned a Kubota L35, I hope I can adjust my expectations.I haven't found much discussion on this model despite its appearent long running existence in the Ford line. I would be interested to learn from other user's experiences.-Dave Brienza

dummy · Mar 8, 2002

I have a '92 model (bought 2 yrs. ago). I haven't been disappointed. I have a loader and MMM setup on mine. It works very well for mowing and reasonably good for other landscaping/gardening chores (5 ft. tiller, box blade, rake). The only problem with mine is a tendency to slip out of low range. Haven't felt like splitting the rear, so I don't know how serious it would be to fix. Works as long as I hold it in place.

dbrienza · Mar 8, 2002

I was wondering if I should go for 5ft or 4ft implements. I thought 5ft might be a little much. Do you know what loader weight capacity?

How many hours on your machine?

dummy · Mar 8, 2002

521.3 hours (not retentive, just did 50 hr.) Another fella I know has just over 1300 hours on his with no major problems. Not positive, but I think capacity is 6-700 pound range. With a 5 ft. boxblade on, it will lift a 60" bucket of pea gravel. Don't use it for much digging, a lot of scraping though (sod removal, material moving, etc.) When I got this little gem, I didn't think too much about attachment size because I already had 5 and 6 ft. stuff for the other tractors. It handles a 5 ft. box and blade ok (yes you can spin the blade around), but a 6 ft. rake is a little much for it on slopes. I used a 5 ft. bush hog with it , worked ok up to 1.5" stuff. Runs a 5 ft. tiller in our So. Md. red clay. I also know in this area 5 ft. attachments are easier to get new or used. Tractor size is really nice for small and medium size jobs. Depending on which chart you read, this is a TC-18 or TC-21. www.newholland.com has an implement sizing chart online.