Ford 1520 tractor engine problem

gollum88 · Mar 19, 2012

I hope someone can help me with this. I have a Ford 1520 diesel tractor I purchased used 15 years ago. It's been a work horse!! Unfortunately my son got his truck stuck in the mud on the property and I used the tractor to pull him free. I pushed the engine pretty hard. Ever since then it will barely move regardless of what gear setting I'm in (moves best in reverse) and regardless of RPM speed. I worry I've ruined the engine or transmission. Anyone have any suggestions? I love that old tractor!!
Paul

whodat526 · Mar 19, 2012

gollum88 said:
I hope someone can help me with this. I have a Ford 1520 diesel tractor I purchased used 15 years ago. It's been a work horse!! Unfortunately my son got his truck stuck in the mud on the property and I used the tractor to pull him free. I pushed the engine pretty hard. Ever since then it will barely move regardless of what gear setting I'm in (moves best in reverse) and regardless of RPM speed. I worry I've ruined the engine or transmission. Anyone have any suggestions? I love that old tractor!!
Paul

is it a gear trans or hydro. It sounds like it could be the clutch if a gear trans

Agrantina · Mar 19, 2012

sounds like you burned the clutch up- If it will start and run fine (through out the RPM range) then engine is ok. If you can push clutch in and put into gear and it will go into all the gears, but when you let the clutch out it just creeps along then I would say 90% clutch. Buddy has a 1710 and clutch went out trying to pull a few stumps up!.. It was about 20yrs on original clutch.. Bad thing is you have to split the tractor in half to put a clutch in.. They are great older tractors..

AndyG

gollum88 · Mar 19, 2012

Yes.... It's a manual transmission. Starts fine and will shift into all gears.
Thanks to you both for the replies. Sounds like I did burn out the clutch from what you both have said. Replacing the clutch sounds like a repair over my head though from reading this. Is it hard to do oneself?

Agrantina · Mar 19, 2012

I would say that I am a good shade tree mec, but I wouldnt try this one, just dont have the room and heavy eqp to split the tractor in half to get to the clutch. but thats just me- your tractor is a good smaller one so I would spend the money and get it fixed!!!! I have spent a lot of hrs on that 1710 and it still runs great, just needs attention some times!

AndyG

billybobjimmyjoejack · Mar 20, 2012

You might check the "clutch adjustment" first. I have split my 1715 twice now and it is not as hard as you would think. No heavy jacks or big equipment needed. A relatively flat surface is helpful (my driveway is concrete and it slopes some) a floor jack is good for the end you want to roll (one section can stay in place). Good luck if you try it yourself. Take pictures as you go, it helps on the reassembly.

Oldtractorfixer · Mar 20, 2012

On a small tractor it's not as hard as it looks but takes time. You will need a good solid flat floor (concrete). Lots of wood blocks, an engine hoist and a floor jack. Look over the job carefully before you start. Everything that crosses the area where the clutch is will have to be disconnected. You block the front (engine) against the axle on both sides then put the engine hoist on the rear of the engine to hold it. Put the floor jack under the front of the the transmission and roll the rear wheels with the floor jack back away from the engine. Look the job over very carefully before you start cause once you start you are commited. I don't know what your level of mechanical ability is but that's the basics of how I would do it. A good survey of what's involved will probably make the decision easy for you. One way or the other.

rambler · Mar 20, 2012

I would say, based on not being able to tell if this is an engine problem, that it is perhaps a job a bit over your skill level.

While it's a real good guess that you burned out the clutch, there could be something else going on. Probably best to let a pro do it.

--->Paul

Oldtractorfixer · Mar 20, 2012

To check for clutch. Start engine. give it some rpm. Set brakes. put in High gear. Let out the clutch slowly. If the tractor doesn't move and the engine pulls down a little most likely bad clutch. If it kills the engine most likely good clutch.

gollum88 · Mar 20, 2012

You guys are great!! From listening here and trying the suggestions, it's definitely the clutch. I've done some minor repairs over the years but I'm not too proud to admit it's a repair well over my head. There are a number of other service issues overdue anyway. Probably will stop by the local tractor place out my way and arrange to have it picked up and fixed up.
Anyone know what a fair price would be for installing the new clutch?

Oldtractorfixer · Mar 20, 2012

I don't really know as I haven't had this done on a small tractor but would expect a shop to charge $200-300 for parts and (I'm guessing here) 10-15 hours labor. Then you may have surfacing the flywheel and grease and oil. I'll be curious to see what they charge you.

gollum88 · Mar 21, 2012

Sounds like you are about right. Went by today to arrange having it picked up and serviced. Will post the final damages when done.
Thanks for the advice. It's much appreciated

gollum88 · Mar 22, 2012

Had it picked up today.

duke7595 · Mar 22, 2012

A top notch mechanic can split the tractor, replace the clutch and have it running in less then 6 hours.
However, this is with out and other problems encountered.
Good luck. Duke

P.S. In my area the hourly rate is 25 to 35 dollars a hour, that will differ from on area to another.

gollum88 · Mar 23, 2012

Thanks. I will post the charges when done

whodat526 · Mar 23, 2012

gollum88 said:
You guys are great!! From listening here and trying the suggestions, it's definitely the clutch. I've done some minor repairs over the years but I'm not too proud to admit it's a repair well over my head. There are a number of other service issues overdue anyway. Probably will stop by the local tractor place out my way and arrange to have it picked up and fixed up.
Anyone know what a fair price would be for installing the new clutch?

i always charge around 800 for parts and labor on that size and type of tractor

Hooked_on_HP · Mar 24, 2012

I hope you have a shop that only replaces what is needed. If they replace the complete clutch assembly you are talking several grand in parts. The labor will be the cheap part.
Bill

gollum88 · Mar 24, 2012

That sounds like a fair price to me. I hope mine doesn't come in much higher than that.
Thanks for the reply.

BleedingOrange · Mar 24, 2012

Did you not get the dealership to give you an estimate ? I learned a long time ago that you shouldn,t give anyone " carte blanche ". As an example, I thought the job should of cost 400.00 max. It ended up costing me 850.00. Now, I,m never to proud to ask first. I don,t like unpleasant surprises. Hope it works out for you.

gollum88 · Mar 24, 2012

They're going to call me with the estimate as it needs some other maintenance and servicing (I have had it 17 years and this is only the second time I've had it serviced/repaired). I hate unpleasant surprises too. Thanks for the advice/reply. I'm going to post the outcome here