Ford FORD1210 4.50 star(s) (10)

Ford 1210 4x4
Model Year: 1986

Great tractor for what it is (16 hp). Has a FEL that is way more powerful than what the tractor can balance (no counter weights or loaded tires), will flip easy. Tractor has plenty of power to weight ratio. Will spin tires before running out of power.

Pros: Power to weight ratio.
Cons: Apply power to the ground. FEL use.

Photo Uploads:

Small Tractor Great Features!
Model Year: 1986

Bought this tractor to help on my small farm. For the money and the work this tractor does, from moving snow to cutting grass and tilling---great performer. Wasn't sure when I bought it that it could do the job, this little giant sure can work hard. I'm a believer now!

Pros: Ease of operation, capability with add on equipment.
Cons: Parts if I need them.

A Real Workhorse for the Money...
Model Year: 0

I primarily use the tractor for mowing. It came with a 54" belly mower. I have had a minor problem with it shearing the shear bolt on the short drive shaft, until I put a higher grade bolt in its place! The first implement I purchased was a 5 ft. box grader. It's amazing how the small 3 cylinder diesel can handle the job of grading our gravel driveway in such a short time. I have had absolutely NO problems with the tractor itself other than forgetting to turn on the fuel shutoff on after storage. Not something you want to do on a diesel engine! I would love to have a front end loader to go on it, but a new one would cost more than I have spent on the tractor, mower and box blade combined. It's been a good in investment so far. Only had to replace the 2 front tires. The rear will probably need replacing too. Anyone know where to get those?

Pros: Cost, design, flexibility, Class 1 3-pt. hitch.
Cons: None yet.

Photo Uploads:

Why Buy New?
Model Year: 0

I was looking for a small tractor to help me take care of our property. We needed drains installed around the house, trenches for water rights, moving two 87 foot cut down cottonwood trees. The list goes on and on but using a lawn tractor wasn't cutting it. So keeping an eye on our local news paper I came across an ad for an older ford 1210 tractor. The unit was used to manicure a horse coral so it didn't get much use. It had 324 hours on it when I bought it and its service records where still at the dealer where it was purchase. We added a front loader and a backhoe and paid 6300 for it, why buy new this tractor is perfect for what I needed.

Pros: Perfect size.
Cons: None so far.

Ford 1210 Owned 20+ Years
Model Year: 1986

I bought this tractor slightly used (400) hours in 1990. Right after I bought it, I took it to the local Ford tractor dealer and had a roll bar installed. That is the only time it has ever been in the shop. It has given me no trouble. It is undergoing some repairs right now at home; I rolled it on a hillside into some trees and broke the drag link and bent the steering shaft and steering wheel to the point they are unusable. The dash and hood were torn up pretty good too. Although I found the parts I need, they were hard to find. I have seen other owners complain about this same problem. There is no longer a Ford/New Holland tractor dealer in this area. I called the nearest one and they could get only a couple of the parts I needed. I found everything I needed in one place at a salvage yard. The tractor itself has given no trouble and has done everything I have asked of it. I have several 6' wide attachments and a 5' mower. It has no problem with any of them. Basically a great tractor, unless you need parts for it.

Pros: Many.
Cons: Hard to find parts.

Photo Uploads:

Ford 1210 Sub-Compact Tractor
Model Year: 1986

What to say? It's just great! I purchased it used w/ some 1600 hrs. on it [if the meter is correct], put fresh tires on it and added some fuel, checked the oil and fan belt and off I went. I have used it for basic snow removal [a considerable amount last year] with the 5' back blade and 4' FEL it preforms without flaw or hesitation. It sports a 16 horse motor but has plenty of power for my use and the 4 wheel drive aspect is a very handy feature to have.

Pros: Size - power - flexibility - fuel consumption.
Cons: A little light, maybe next size would be better.

Photo Uploads:

Ford 1210 4x4
Model Year: 1986

Owned for past 4 months, and very satisfied. Does everything it was meant to do. Haven't been through a winter yet, which will be the ultimate test. Have a 6' rear blade, tiller and 48" mower deck, but would like to get a small trailer and perhaps a snow blower at some point. For an older tractor, it runs really well and has a lot of features of newer tractors. I like the 4x4, high-low range and hydrostatic trans. Keeps things simple so wife and kids can use it. No complaints at all on this little tractor. From those I've met, all seem to agree Ford's series of compact tractors in the early '80s to mid-'90s were all very good.

Pros: Excellent reliability - starts and functions very well. Haven't needed any parts.
Cons: Power can be an issue, but going slow and keeping revs up helps. Oil filters are a little difficult to find sometimes, but TBN has threads to cross reference with other brands. This has been very helpful.

Ford 1210 4x4
Model Year: 1986

Bought this tractor because it was larger than a lawn tractor, had 4WD, a PTO and could do the work of larger tractor on a smaller scale using CAT 1 PTO attachments, plus a belly mower for the lawn.

Pros: Simple, well built, easy to maintain.
Cons: None yet.

Fit for Duty
Model Year: 1988

I found a tractor to do the necessary work that I had to do, which included some mowing, dressing up dirt trails and small excavating jobs. The Ford 1210 FWD was just the right machine. I had to add a FEL and purchase a scraper blade, rake and rear mower. The tractor is easy to operate and maintain. The usable horse power is only 17 hp, but it performs well. It is bigger than a lawn and garden tractor, yet small enough to get around in tight places. My tractor has turf tires, but with the FWD and hi & lo range, it does most of what is necessary.

Pros: Compact, well built, reliable
Cons: Didn't find any yet.

Photo Uploads:

Everything is good BUT the ground
Model Year: 1985

My tractor/FEL and 3 point assy. does everything I ask EXCEPT for applying pressure . If I try to do something that bogs my tractor the soft ground here will just allow it to dig itself into a hole with each wheel . We have very soft/sandy soil here and it will just give away to a spinning tire . I should have turf tires but the cost can't be justified . For most jobs I just scoop rock/gravel and when it becomes hard I just consider that a load and come back for more when I'm finished . On solid ground this tractor would be fantastic .

Pros: Starts and runs EVERY time .
Cons: None that I can think of .

Photo Uploads: