I have a late 1988 Ford 1920 with FEL that has 1056 hours.
The tractor is new to me, and at my nearly 75 years old I want to avoid future problems.
The tractor was most likely used primarily as a FEL, which I feel tends to put more wear on a clutch (I will have the bucket cutting edge replaced)).
I will be taking the tractor to my summer cottage in Canada for the summer.
Mechanic labor there is very inexpensive, and the Canadian dollar is relatively weak.
Mechanic labor will cost me about $30 USD per hour.
I will have the tractor painted in Canada.
Should I also have the clutch replaced at the same time?
Complete clutch kit is under $600 (from Messicks), and if labor were to be (10 hrs?) $300. that would be $900 total, for clutch replacement.
I have no idea what to guess for the remaining life of the existing clutch, but I don't want to wind up having a clutch replaced 250 hours later, at 1300+ hours, for $1600+.
The tractor is currently in excellent condition, and when repainted (which it really does not need) will look like new!
Your thoughts please.
Thanks!