Decent price for a Ford 1520?

[the old grind]

I agree that a 5' Bush Hog would work a 1520 a bit hard in most circumstances. It is just for that reason that I reluctantly traded mine in for a T1520 this year, going from 1.3L to 1.7L to turn my own 5 footer with another 10 or so hp. btw: that I bought another NH vs an LS owes to the ergonomics of operating a xx20 or Shibaura-made TC. (incl easy mount/dismount from either side)

What my newer model offers above the former is a pre-screen in front of the radiator, something I might have added early-on in my 12 yrs of owning/operating. I'm not BH'ing with the new machine yet, but it's surprising how much duff it catches during driveway or FEL work in as little as 10hrs on the proof meter.

Keep things tight and do your normal PM but don't expect to be shopping for parts unless the worst happens. 1520 is rugged and dependable, seems to do it all even below its 2250 PTO speed, and sips fuel sparingly. I bought mine (HST, turfs) with nearly 3k hrs on it and added another thou' or so with only routine maintenance, and without mishap. (Moved its share of dirt & snow in that decade+ with FEL & Box Blade.) You didn't mention whether 3x9-geared, or HST but I doubt that it'd matter other than that mid-PTO* may be exclusive to HST models if you consider a Mid-Mount mower someday. (*std on HST? Pic seems to show 9x3 controls..)

Be sure to get I&T's FO-46 manual for all the info you'd need to service, adjust, or repair. I'd consider the asking price to be quite good in light of the low hrs. Trading down to a 4' Bush Hog might be a way to keep her fresh....

 

[g8erh8er]

It's a geared transmission. My dad says there's a couple manuals with it, not sure if that's just an owners manual, service, or what.

Thanks for the input reg. the bush hog. We only have a little bit more to clear and after that, I'll really not have much need for it unless we use it for grass duty only. I'll have to see how it cuts grass compared to a finish mower. If it does an adequate job, I'll just keep the bush hog and mow with that. Hopefully grass only duty would be easier on it and I won't have to downgrade if I keep the hog.