Free Ford 1210

[sandman2234]

My 1100 is 10 speed transmission, 5 gears in low range and then the same 5 gears in high range .
It will seem like you are creeping in low range gears, but when you are working the tractor, it will decide what gear you need to be in, by how the work is loading the engine. If for instance you are mowing, and the engine is having a hard time keeping the rpm's at a constant level, you may need to stop and try a lower gear. If mower is cutting fine and it seems like you are crawling, maybe a gear up would work.
David from jax

 

[Hexa Fox]

Hey guys so since it has been exactly four months I don't know if this would be better as a new thread but big update. So my neighbor turned the Ford 1210 over to me a few weeks ago and I just got it running today. I drained the engine oil and all the diesel out of it. Fresh engine oil, fresh diesel and bled the system. It took awhile but it started right up.

1.) I cannot lower the throttle all the way down without it dying. I was running out of daylight but it seemed to want to 'idle' around 1,000 rpms. This is my first time owning a tractor but it sounded a little high for idling. I did just get it running as well.

2.) I checked the battery voltage with it running and it reads 12.5 volts, so it looks like the system is not charging the battery. It looks like it could be an easy fix for this tractor.

3.) Can someone tell me if this engine is liquid or air cooled? It is sort of confusing but it definitely has what looks like a full radiator in the front with what sure looks like a traditional radiator cap. So does this thing have a water pump?

The clutch needs to be depressed to start the tractor, there are two wires connected to what looks like a safety device that must be grounded against the tractor. Both of those wires have seen better days and need some wiggling around before the starter will cooperate. Getting it running like this makes me want to keep it so badly but I cannot see myself really investing into this tractor. I see that they are pretty cool. They are definitely not a heavy piece of equipment but I see them blowing snow, tilling, mowing and lifting decent amounts with FEL's and it makes me want to invest in it so badly. I think we have been over this and the censuses is to sell it and invest in something else.

I have always wanted a slightly larger 4x4 tractor or Ventrac........

 

[thepumpguysc]

If it’s still putting fuel in the oil, I can take care of that for you..
An experienced set of hands and the proper parts will go a long way in keeping that engine from eating itself..
Keep me in mind..

 

[yubh8tn]

I went through what you are considering on Ford 1110 tractor. Parts are really hard to get. I replaced the hydrostat transmission, put a new clutch in it, and some other small parts. It took me several days to locate a used hydrostatic transmission. I found one in a tractor junkyard in Alabama. Cost be $1000 for the transmission. The clutch is no longer available and I had to have one custom made. That cost me $500.

It was fun but I wouldnt do it again. I sold it at a loss. It would be a cool little tractor to have if parts were readily available...but they arent.

 

[Little Red Tractor]

Once again, I seem to be playing catch up on this thread. Now that it's running, I suspect that it will start to start filling the oil with fuel. That WILL ruin the engine. Thepumpguysc thinks he has a fix. I'd suggest having a conversation with him. I suspect it might fix the idle problem in the process.
When I say "talk" I mean real-time talk, not on the forum.
Meanwhile, you're figuring things out bit by bit, so have fun, learn, make some mistakes now on something that hasn't cost any great amount of money.
BTW, check the radiator and be sure there's no fuel getting in there. That will indicate another--more explensive--problem.

 

[Hexa Fox]

If it’s still putting fuel in the oil, I can take care of that for you..
An experienced set of hands and the proper parts will go a long way in keeping that engine from eating itself..
Keep me in mind..

I would love to hear what you have to say. I have never worked on something leaking fuel internally before. I do however believe that there was fuel in the oil when I changed it. I got some of it on my hands and you could not only smell it but see it. I could literally see it filling in the smallest groves on my hands and it gave me the impression it had fuel in it. I have honestly worked on a lot of mowers and cars before but never a tractor or diesel. Just never had the opportunity before.

 

[Hexa Fox]

I went through what you are considering on Ford 1110 tractor. Parts are really hard to get. I replaced the hydrostat transmission, put a new clutch in it, and some other small parts. It took me several days to locate a used hydrostatic transmission. I found one in a tractor junkyard in Alabama. Cost be $1000 for the transmission. The clutch is no longer available and I had to have one custom made. That cost me $500.

It was fun but I wouldnt do it again. I sold it at a loss. It would be a cool little tractor to have if parts were readily available...but they arent.

Yeah I have had several offers on the tractor already. Probably for many of the reasons you have pointed out. A lot of people are looking for parts and if nothing else want it as a parts tractor. Fortunately, I have only put about $250 into it so far including the $110 battery. I would like to get $1,500 out of it which I think is reasonable for a tractor that runs. I may even try to return the battery that I have had about a week now and let whoever buys it decide whether they want to put a battery on it. Having a charging system that isn't charging the battery is not going to do it any favors right now.

I do love working on things and would not mind fixing the fuel leak among other things but restoring an old tractor like this may not be worth it financially as finallydribben has pointed out. I do not think it is wise to rebuild this tractor for just myself. It has no implements with it so I would be restoring it then looking for implements. So it is more than likely that I am going to end up selling it. I would like to see it go to a good home where it could see possible use where someone is already invested in the line.

 

[DaBear3428]

Hey guys for years my neighbor has been interested in getting rid of his Ford tractor. So I do not think it has ran in the better part of a decade. He recently told me that it was free to me if I wanted to have it. I have posted elsewhere and got a lot of mixed feedback. I have never owned a tractor before but have been in the market for one for a long time. I do not think he really has any attachments left for it. Anyway I would love to get some feedback. The neighbor used it when it was running and I believe he told me that it leaking fuel on one of the cylinders or something.

Anyway I think it would be really cool to have if I could find FEL for it. So far I have learned that it may be tough to locate one. I heard that the company that made this Ford was also making New Holland at the time so an equivalent New Holland FEL would work. I have already checked with a couple companies that make after market FEL's but unfortunately they do not make one compatible with this tractor. Anyway I do not even know where to begin looking for an attachment like this because I need a specific one. I have worked on plenty of engines over my life but never had to work on a diesel engine before. Anyway I would love to hear feedback on what you guys think I should do. Even though I heard these engines are reliable I do not know how much money I want to invest into attachments or work though. I will also attack a picture of the tractor as well.
View attachment 768391

it is manual steering so i would forget about the FEL, otherwise the price is right.

 

[etpm]

Whatever tractor you get you will still need to buy implements. And 3 point hitch implements are generic, so if they fit a certain class one 3 point hitch, for example, they will fit any class one 3 point hitch. Charging systems on old tractors are generally pretty simple and cheap to fix. If it was me I would fix the charging and fuel in the oil problems and then actually use the thing. This will give you some experience, show you how useful and fun a tractor is, and help you decide just how much bigger and better you may want in the future. BTW, if you do sell and buy another tractor buy one with the FEL already on it. They are widely available and super useful. In fact, if you only have one tractor it should have an FEL. I use mine all the time.
Eric

 

[Hexa Fox]

Whatever tractor you get you will still need to buy implements. And 3 point hitch implements are generic, so if they fit a certain class one 3 point hitch, for example, they will fit any class one 3 point hitch. Charging systems on old tractors are generally pretty simple and cheap to fix. If it was me I would fix the charging and fuel in the oil problems and then actually use the thing. This will give you some experience, show you how useful and fun a tractor is, and help you decide just how much bigger and better you may want in the future. BTW, if you do sell and buy another tractor buy one with the FEL already on it. They are widely available and super useful. In fact, if you only have one tractor it should have an FEL. I use mine all the time.
Eric

These are all good points. I already have at least a few projects in mind I would like to do with a tractor. For instance, I now have four IBC totes filled up with firewood that I would love to be able to move about with a tractor. Anyway having a smaller tractor to mow and do other things with may not be a bad idea either. I like the idea of getting used to a tractor with a older one like this. The problem is that a lot of the stuff I would like to do require a larger tractor. I have been thinking about purchasing something like a Ventrac and then just being done with it.

The good point about that is I only live on 3/4 of an acre. So a larger tractor is only going to work against me for most things. I do not have any major problem with this tractor, it is just all the little things that need to come together. It needs a lot of work (which I understand comes with a free piece of equipment). I am letting it discourage me a little bit because I do not want to go out and purchase an implement for it, get it all fixed up, possibly be several thousand dollars into it then have something go wrong.

I know I am at that crossroads right now too. If I start sinking money into it I am not going to stop. So I may be better off selling it and taking that money and putting it toward something else.

I think you have a pretty accurate understanding of what I want. If I go out and purchase a tractor I am going to look for something with at the very least a FEL on it from the start. The big problem with Ventrac is that they were bought out by Toro and have been steadily increasing the price of them. Something that was once super affordable that could do much, much more than a tractor of a similar size is now priced much higher than you could by a brand new tractor of a much larger size for. Just doesn't make sense, I guess it does, as people are still buying them.

 

[etpm]

My daily tractor is a 42 year old Yanmar YM2310 with an aftermarket FEL. It has 23 HP at the PTO. So not a big tractor. It is classed as a CUT, or Compact Utility Tractor. It runs great and most parts are available for it. Even though it is 42 years old I am not looking for a newer machine. It will outlast me. I have a post hole digger and a 5 foot tiller that I run off of the PTO. Though I live on 10 or 12 acres I only have about 1.5 acres cleared and my tractor gets tons of use. I don't know anything about Ventrac machines and so can't talk about them. But if you buy an implement for your tractor why won't it work on a Ventrac? Since you don't need power for it to run, but only for starting, why not fix the fuel in the oil problem and use the damn thing for a while? It will sell for a lot more if that problem is fixed. Look for a used set of 3PH forks or whatever so you can lift those totes with the 3PH. I know there is some sort setup for lifting things with the 3PH. Don't agonize about the free thing, use it.
Eric

 

[Hexa Fox]

My daily tractor is a 42 year old Yanmar YM2310 with an aftermarket FEL. It has 23 HP at the PTO. So not a big tractor. It is classed as a CUT, or Compact Utility Tractor. It runs great and most parts are available for it. Even though it is 42 years old I am not looking for a newer machine. It will outlast me. I have a post hole digger and a 5 foot tiller that I run off of the PTO. Though I live on 10 or 12 acres I only have about 1.5 acres cleared and my tractor gets tons of use. I don't know anything about Ventrac machines and so can't talk about them. But if you buy an implement for your tractor why won't it work on a Ventrac? Since you don't need power for it to run, but only for starting, why not fix the fuel in the oil problem and use the damn thing for a while? It will sell for a lot more if that problem is fixed. Look for a used set of 3PH forks or whatever so you can lift those totes with the 3PH. I know there is some sort setup for lifting things with the 3PH. Don't agonize about the free thing, use it.
Eric

Thank you. I personally still think even the 3 point hitch is going to have trouble lifting these totes. Each one holds a 275 gallon bladder (for those not familiar) and almost exactly a face cord (1/3 cord) when neatly stacked. They can easily weigh a literal ton from my experience. Right now they have large pieces of Ash in them. However, as I said, I am not familiar with tractors whatsoever. It would be awesome if this little tractor could even get them a few inches off the ground to move about. The one in the picture is actually mine on my property and about ten feet away from the Ford 1210 ironically lol.

So a Ventrac is a special piece of equipment. They are super cool pieces of equipment that are only meant to outdo a tractor in a very niche market. For instance, they are marketed as machines that can operate on steep hills. The thing to know about them is implements are very expensive and can only be used on other Ventrac or Steiner equipment. I know what I am talking about when it comes to Ventracs lol. Bobcat is now getting into this type of market as well. The implements are front mounted but use a pulley and belt system rather than a pto or hydraulics.

Also I am looking into the fuel problem now. I was reading that the most common place for them to leak is from the injectors. So the best way to determine that is to put some die in your system and use the blacklight.

 

[sandman2234]

I wondered back in...
I have an old Steiner 525, (one of the largest models) out back, which was the predecessor to Ventrac. Parts for it were not cheap, which was why it got parked.A FEL on them are very, very limited, and I would not consider a Ventrac unless I was doing commercial work mowing. Never for FEL work.
A Ford 1210 is rated at 881 pounds of lift at the end of the 3 point links. Add forks extends that measurement so decreases that capacity. There are ways to adapt the totes to be able to move them, but no way is a Ford 1210 going to pick up a tote that weighs more than the tractor itself, with the stronger 3pt or the weaker FEL . Making a system to hydraulically raise the tote and just use the tractor to pull it is very doable.
I will refer the fuel in the oil to smarter people, but if it is an injection pump, I would be shaking in my boots, worried about getting parts and the cost of rebuilding it!
It is a small tractor, with limited capabilities, but I used mine for many years and adapted it to many things beyond its initial capabilities and it survived me!
I am still interested in it, btw.
Keep asking, we will try to help!
David from jax

 

[sandman2234]

BTW, I still have a bunch of Steiner implements if you decide to go with Ventrac. A couple 72 mowing decks, a blower, a 10KW generator, weights and weight bar, trailer hitch(I think), spare rims, etc. Might be some trading material if you decide to go with Ventrac and let go of the l210.
David from jax

 

[Hexa Fox]

BTW, I still have a bunch of Steiner implements if you decide to go with Ventrac. A couple 72 mowing decks, a blower, a 10KW generator, weights and weight bar, trailer hitch(I think), spare rims, etc. Might be some trading material if you decide to go with Ventrac and let go of the l210.
David from jax

Yeah I may be interested. A Ventrac is something I have wanted to invest in for awhile. I knew without a doubt that the Ventrac did not have a chance of lifting these IBC totes. I have been doing research for a really long time. If you cut the totes in half, leave the bottom half alone, then screw the top half to a pallet, you can then move them with much smaller tractors. I have seen larger tractors struggle to get these totes a couple inches off the ground. I do not mean like an 60 HP tractor but talking about models in the sub compact range. All the John Deere 2xxx series tractors fail to lift them all together and I think the 3xxx tractors really struggle.

 

[sandman2234]

I replaced my Ford 1100 with a John Deere, 2555 and built a 3 point set of forks. It would probably pick up a tote full of dry wood. I destroyed a bunch of my implements when I went from something that fit the little Ford to the 70 horsepower of the Deere.
David from jax

 

[Hexa Fox]

I replaced my Ford 1100 with a John Deere, 2555 and built a 3 point set of forks. It would probably pick up a tote full of dry wood. I destroyed a bunch of my implements when I went from something that fit the little Ford to the 70 horsepower of the Deere.
David from jax

This is exactly what I am afraid of. So my bucket list on equipment is to have something solely to mow with, like the Ferris I have now, then a Ventrac and finally a slightly larger tractor to pickup where the Ventrac falls short. This puts me in a conundrum to say the least. Because if I am buying smaller implements and decide to go with a Ventrac those implements are going to turn nearly useless for me. Especially if I get a tractor that is so much larger running smaller implements is either dangerous to the implement or not economical for the size of the tractor.

So I get called a lot for stick or brush removals. The Ventrac has an amazing scope and grapple on the front. The downside is that you cannot lift loads very high at all. Not even high enough to put onto a trailer. So I thought if I had a tractor that is a little larger with a FEL I could put those "Bucketeer" forks on it that I see advertised and easily lift piles of brush.

I do love discussing these things. Having that said it is hell at the same time. Because anytime I talk about moving up to a larger tractor you start looking at the weight, then the towing capacity of your truck and the axle capacity of the trailer lol. I think even some of the "larger" tractors I am looking at will be fine on a tandem axle trailer. However, you are always looking at something bigger. "Well if I got this one I would have a standard cab, be able to easily pull people out of ditches in the Winter etc". So it is a never ending mental battle.

 

[Hexa Fox]

So I got to talk to the neighbor today and he said if he recalls correctly the tractor was leaking at the injector seals. So that may be the most likely culprit at this point. How do you go about diagnosing exactly what is wrong? From what I have seen everyone uses dye and a blacklight.

 

[Jstpssng]

So I got to talk to the neighbor today and he said if he recalls correctly the tractor was leaking at the injector seals. So that may be the most likely culprit at this point. How do you go about diagnosing exactly what is wrong? From what I have seen everyone uses dye and a blacklight.

I believe that your answer still lies in this post...

If it’s still putting fuel in the oil, I can take care of that for you..
An experienced set of hands and the proper parts will go a long way in keeping that engine from eating itself..
Keep me in mind..

 

[Hexa Fox]

I believe that your answer still lies in this post...

I will still consider that and have already spoken with him. I would like to diagnose what is going on with it first. He offered to rebuild the injection pump, which is expensive and I also understand. I will have to think about it more but right now I am against putting that type of money into it.

If it is something simpler I may mess around with it to get a little experience if nothing else.