New Member/Rookie Questions!

[Safinsp]

Hello,

Hopefully someone can help. I just purchased a 1995 Ford 1720 with 950 hours on it. The machine is exceptionally clean, it even has the paper labels from Ford intact inside the wheels. The filters are all NH which leads me to believe that the local NH shop where I bought the machine in OK has been performing the maintenance on it. Now that I am back in NM, the saga is like this:

I was concerned that the glow plugs were not working, so I decided to change the glow plug timer. I took the old module off which had P/N 385870300 and took it to my local NAPA to see if they could locate a replacement. NAPA in turn called the closest New Holland dealer that crossed this number to a "new improved" item. I was advised that I would have to re-wire this new relay to work with my tractor. Well I picked it up, and set to work. I took the blade connectors loose from the factory pigtail on my tractor and attempted to adapt them to the new relay. The relay did not work, and after hours on the internet, I found that this glow plug controller I needed is difficult to locate due to NH and CNH part number differences. Well, I added SBA ahead of the above number and contacted the NH dealer myself. They had the correct glow controller in stock. After that was relayed to my local NAPA store, I brought the timer home and want to install correctly on my tractor. The four wires are now mixed up and I need to know which wire goes to which terminal on the controller, by color code if possible. It turns out that there was power to the glow plugs all along, but when I turned the key to the heat position, the glow plug indicator light would not illuminate. It still will not illuminate...and I guess maybe I don't need it to? I just want it to work properly.

Second concern: The tractor appears well maintained but I don't know what sounds are "normal". The engine has the diesel clatter that I am used to...I have a Cummins in my '93 Dodge, and have driven tractor trailers for many years. The clatter seems to become louder when the clutch is released no matter what the operating temperature is. This sounds like sound transfer from the engine to the bell housing area. When the clutch is depressed the sound is much less noticeable. Is this a normal sound for this tractor?

Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated...I have only had the tractor a week now...I guess I should leave well enough alone

 

[daTeacha]

Welcome to the board! I can't answer your question, but I'm sure someone else here will have more information than you need. In the meantime, did you check the bulb and it's connections? Like you said, you don't need it, but it's just nice to have everything working like it should. You could be just looking at a bad ground connection or something else basic.

You could activitate the heater circuit and test each wire with a meter to give you some idea of what's supposed to carry current which way. I don't know how much current the plugs take, but I'd guess it's more than the timing mechanism, so wire gauge might help unless there's a relay further down the line somewhere. Grounds are probably a common color throughout the tractor if that helps any. I'm just WAGing here, trying to think how I would proceed if I was in your position.

Be patient and someone much more knowledgeable than I am will come along pretty quickly.

 

[Safinsp]

Thank you sir...the response hasn't been that great as of yet. This timer is mounted on the firewall and is easy to see without taking anything apart. There are 4 wires that plug into the timer...so if anyone out there has a 1720 can take a look at their's, I would really appreciate it.

 

[guyw]

Not sure if it would make a difference or if you even can change a thread subject, but maybe it would help if you put something about a 1720 in the subject. Maybe it would get the attention of someone that is intereseted in 1720s that might not otherwise read the thread. Just a thought.

Guy.

 

[Doc_Bob]

I always take a dig photo of any work before I start. Helps sort out wires and such.
Bob

 

[Safinsp]

Thanks for the advice...I was not bright enough to take photos since I was too excited an in too much in a hurry to go play! I learned my lesson though. I will see if I can change the title and get a better response. Take care.

 

[toddwulf]

Hey Rookie, Welcome aboard. I was a rookie once as well and no question is too little to ask. Before I even bought a tractor, I monitored this board for almost a year asking questions as I went along and eventually landed where I am. Great group of folks hanging around to help out. Your next step in the tractor process will be to find a local tractor guy that you can trust so when things like this happen, you've got a bail out man.

I've got a 1920 ('98 model year) and I have the manuals that cover the 1920/2120. I don't know the exact differences from the 1720 but there must be some common ground so I'll take a look when I get back home this weekend both at the manual and the actual wiring. Hopefully I'll remember to do this when I get done with the week of real work.

 

[Safinsp]

Thank you sir. I appreciate your help...and thanks for the welcome aboard! I have enjoyed my new toy so far, but I quickly ran out of work to do with it. I have changed all of the fluid and filters with the exception of the hydraulics (next paycheck), and hope to have something that will last for a long time. In order for me to do more "work", I am planning to obtain a post hole digger, two bottom plow, and a disc. I haven't really worked this thing and want to see what it will do. Take care and don't work too hard.

 

[swines]

Hi -

look at your email - I sent you an email with my contact information. I have the complete 1720 service manual + a 1720 at my house for reference.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Thank you sir. I appreciate your help...and thanks for the welcome aboard!

TBN is a geat resource, you will love it!
Bob