Ford 1700, introduction, part deux

[Fawken]

All:

Hope all is well. Things have been going well over the past month with the 1700; been getting to know the tractor, have noticed something new that I'm hoping for some assistance on. One of the small fuel return hoses (goes from the rear injector to the top of the tank) is cracked to the point that it's actually seeping diesel fuel when the engine is running. I cannot seem to locate a fuel rated hose that small anywhere, is this something you can only get at a New Holland dealer? I've tried to attach a photo but don't think it worked.

Also, I've been searching for a Ford 770a or b front loader (what's the difference between the two?), with little success. Are there other loaders ('bolt on') that work with the 1700? I have read that a 2wd can have trouble turning with a front loader, is the front axles robust enough to support the added weight of the loader (and the contents of the bucket)? Thanks as always!

Brian A.
1979 Ford 1700 2wd

View attachment 432315

Your best bet for a loader is Koyker. They do make (last I checked) a bolt-on loader and frame for the 1700. You might find a used Ford loader, but the hoses and valves would likely need work. No one makes a loader for the 1100, so I built my own.

 

[square1]

All:
Also, I've been searching for a Ford 770a or b front loader (what's the difference between the two?), with little success. Are there other loaders ('bolt on') that work with the 1700? I have read that a 2wd can have trouble turning with a front loader, is the front axles robust enough to support the added weight of the loader (and the contents of the bucket)? Thanks as always!

Brian A.
1979 Ford 1700 2wd

View attachment 432315

Not sure how far you are form Carelton, MI...
Ford Tractor front loader 770 770B

 

[ZR WON]

Hey Square:

I actually saw that loader on Craigslist, by the look of it all hydraulic lines will need to be replaced. Is $2,200 really the going rate? I emailed Koyker (didn't have time to call), no response at this point. Their website doesn't show one for a 1700, but a 1710 is listed. I don't think this is interchangeable?!?! How much is a new Koyker loader? If a used 770 is $2,200, a new Koyker may be $4K, which is as much as I paid for the tractor, 6' finish mower, blade, and drag harrow.

Brian A.
1979 Ford 1700 2wd

 

[Fawken]

About 5 years back (before I settled on building my own FEL) I saw some Koyer FEL kits 4 foot for about $2200. Mine takes a 44" not sure about the 1700. Measure the wheel footprint and go a little wider (3"-6").

 

[square1]

ZR WON,
My first thought was $2,200 was pricey. I was thinking more ~$1,500 would be right if it's in good shape, less if it's cracked, pins are worn out, bucket / cutting edge bent cracked / worn out, missing attachment hardware, and hoses aren't good. The front support on mine cracked ~3" above the horizontal on both sides. Welded it back up and it's fine, but still...for that asking price it would need to be pristine.

You can always offer less, you don't have one now, and if your offer is refused you still won't (at least not that one)

 

[swizcore]

Wow. ZR, not be creepy but I just read your first post in this topic and it's blowing me away how similar our situations are in regard to the 1700.

I also acquired my 1980 Ford 1700 from, yup, my Grandad. I remember the day it was delivered to his house and also remember sitting on the fender with him many many times as a boy while he brush hogged the trails on his 100acres and planting pine tree's all over the place. I just got it home a week ago, it's incredible shape also with only 1400 original hours. I'll be keeping this tractor in his honor as long as I'm around.

 

[swizcore]

I corresponded with the 770B seller in Carelton but in the end I was wary of the 220 additional pounds over the 770 loader meant for the 1700. Luckily, I found a Craigslist ad with a guy 15 minutes away selling a 79 1500 with a 770 on it. I bought it, uninstalled the 770 from it today and will be replacing some seals and repainting it before installing on the 1700.

Oh and Koyker stopped selling a mounting kit for the 1700' in May of this year.

Westendorfer offers one for $4899.

 

[square1]

Luckily, I found a Craigslist ad with a guy 15 minutes away selling a 79 1500 with a 770 on it. I bought it

If that was the one with attachments (6' finish mower and something else, rototiller maybe?) for $4k, you stole it! (unless there was something major wrong with the tractor).

I strongly suggest additional bracing of the front uprights where the bottom horizontal member attaches to them before you paint and install it. Either flat plates on the inside or a couple more standing ribs on the outside should help immensely.

 

[swizcore]

I really did. I didn't need any of the 3pt attachments other than the landscape rake. I got it, the tractor and loader for $3100. Even came with the original owners manual for tractor and loader.

It's lifeline is very much like my Grandads 1700. Small horse farm, one owner but much more use. About 5000 hrs and it's seen a new clutch, water pump and battery. The front swivel mount of the hood is rotted so I removed it after uninstalling the loader so I can repair that. It needs brake shoes but otherwise is incredibly solid for 5k hrs. I changed the oil and filter and cleaned the fuel filter, replaced the typical dry rotted diesel tank vent tubing.

Obviously I'm really happy with the deal.

I'll definitely follow your bracing advice for the loader mounts.

 

[ZR WON]

Evening all!

Hope everyone had a great summer. As autumn sets in (hard to believe), it's time to change the oil and hydraulic fluid on my Grandfathers 1700. Put about 40 hours on it this year and it did fantastic! Still smile and think of Him every time I start it. I have intentions of ordering a service manual, but they seem to be awfully high on eBay ($100!?!?). As such, thought I would solicit advice from my friends on this forum. I do know the capacity of the hydraulic system is 5.8 gallons, but I'm wondering if the filter should be cleaned. I know the hydraulic fluid has been changed, but not so certain on the filter being cleaned. I've done some searches on here and via Google with not so great results. Where exactly is the filter and how do you clean it (diesel fuel? Stanisol or it's current replacement?)? Are there any special instruction / caveats I need to know about this prior to changing the fluid? What kind of fluid do you all recommend? The crankcase has had either Rotella or Rotella synthetic in it since new, just want to make certain I don't put in the wrong stuff. Is there anything special I need to do with the hydraulic pump itself? Also, the engine oil filter is currently a Fram PH2825. I'm sure it's a fine filter, but am not a huge Fram fan. There are obviously myriad cross references to this filter, but I wouldn't mind getting a synthetic filter like a Mobil 1, but I see four potential cross references: L30042, MO252, MO4457, and MO64, would all of these truly work? Understand my mind isn't set on (Mobil 1, that's what I use in my cars and they have lasted a good while... ), so I'd be open to any other suggestions. Finally, does anyone have a good source (pronounced 'reasonable pricing' ) on drive belts for a Farm King Y650R finishing mower? Also, I potentially need to replaced the blades as well. As always, any and all thoughts are appreciated!

Brian A
Ford 1700 2wd