Ford 1700 to Purchase or Pass?

[Hexa Fox]

I know it has been awhile since I posted but I just went over to check out this tractor for the second time. We jumped it and got it started. It has just been sitting in his garage now.

So I looked the tractor over as best as I could and tried to be as vigilant as possible and noticed some things. I know anything this old is going to have some stuff going on with it.

1.) There is a leak somewhere at the rear of the tractor on the three point. It looks like it has on of those adjustable cylinders installed on the rear and that looks like a good culprit. There is also a wet oily residue on the engine too. We only ran it a short time and the lighting was not great.

2.) I noticed that the coolant in the radiator was not near the top but it was wet.

3.) While it was running I took off the oil cap and there is definitely a steady stream of air coming out. It was not strong at all, I could definitely hold my hand over it and no noticeable smoke coming out.

Anyway it is still a meh situation because we are both unsure. Like I said I mow his grass for him and said I am not sure how much longer I am going to be in the business. He said he would then use the tractor to mow his property. He said to be honest he would like to get closer to $4,000 for it and all the implements too. He said he would think about it and let me know something. The oil is also basically black which I think is normal for diesel engines?

 

[Yander]

If the tiller & RFM work it's barely worth $ 4k but it probably is for a first learner tractor.

We all started out with something. Usually the first one is just learning

 

[Yander]

I'm on my sixth and still learning.

 

[arto98607]

I know it has been awhile since I posted but I just went over to check out this tractor for the second time. We jumped it and got it started. It has just been sitting in his garage now.

So I looked the tractor over as best as I could and tried to be as vigilant as possible and noticed some things. I know anything this old is going to have some stuff going on with it.

1.) There is a leak somewhere at the rear of the tractor on the three point. It looks like it has on of those adjustable cylinders installed on the rear and that looks like a good culprit. There is also a wet oily residue on the engine too. We only ran it a short time and the lighting was not great.

2.) I noticed that the coolant in the radiator was not near the top but it was wet.

3.) While it was running I took off the oil cap and there is definitely a steady stream of air coming out. It was not strong at all, I could definitely hold my hand over it and no noticeable smoke coming out.

Anyway it is still a meh situation because we are both unsure. Like I said I mow his grass for him and said I am not sure how much longer I am going to be in the business. He said he would then use the tractor to mow his property. He said to be honest he would like to get closer to $4,000 for it and all the implements too. He said he would think about it and let me know something. The oil is also basically black which I think is normal for diesel engines?

It looks to me like you would be buying a lot of work for yourself - it will probably take lot of time to check out & overhaul all of that!

Been there, done that...

 

[thepumpguysc]

Pass.. I have a pump off and 1800 that is no longer supported and no hard parts available.. I had to circle the globe 2 x to find the seals..

 

[MarkMac]

Until recently I had a cherry little Ford 1100

I really adored that tractor, right until the front axle stub shaft broke. I had to scrounge far & wide, and pay $$$ to have a rusty used replacement shipped 2,500 miles to get him rolling again. I sold “Sully” (in good working order as pictured) for $8000 after realizing he was one part failure away from being a lawn ornament.

I have a new little KIOTI now, and Sully paid for over 1/3. The new KIOTI is much more capable and unbelievably efficient compared to 50 year old Sully.

 

[MarkMac]

3.) While it was running I took off the oil cap and there is definitely a steady stream of air coming out. It was not strong at all, I could definitely hold my hand over it and no noticeable smoke coming out.

Some blow-by wouldn’t concern me, not at that age. Realistically, do you see yourself putting it into 40 hr per week usage? If you need a full time unit, this ain’t it. Some blow-by at idle could show no appreciable increase over the next few hundred hours.

The oil is also basically black which I think is normal for diesel engines?

All my diesels, even my 2018 Cummins purchased new, and new KIOTI, make the oil nasty black very quickly. It’a the nature of the beast and a design factor in the diesel specific oil additive package.

 

[tulenutn2o]

I owned a 1700 for years. Glad it is gone.

 

[stevem5215]

Sold my Ford 1900 for the same reason. Just didn't want to deal with something major happening to it. I had the radiator repaired at a rad shop. Cost me $100 (or so). New was $550.

 

[thepumpguysc]

Mark.. as long as you keep up on the maintenance, oil, filters, grease.. etc.
it “should” give u a few years of trouble free usage..
If u think finding parts for the Ford was next to impossible AND expensive, wait for the day that Kioti needs repairing..
Stay on top of the fuel filters.!!
Glad u found something you like..