New Holland 1920 vs MF 1045

[JohnFourteenSix]

Hi folks, I'm getting annoyed by my Ford 1700's lack of 4wd and overall lack of traction and pulling capacity in the mud (and it's muddy here half of the year). I have two tractors that I'm looking at. They both come with a loader and a backhoe:

MF 1045 - $6500 Owner says power steering needs some work "needs psp rebuilt" and the lever is stuck in 2wd. Is offering it for $6,500. Comes with turf tires

1045 massey ferguson 4wd, diesel 1690 hrs 35hp, comes w forks, bucket, bushhog and backhoe, runs strong starts up everytime could use some power streeing work I use it just as it is for yrs, been in my family for over 20 yrs

NH 1920 - $10,500

This is the popular New Holland 1920 Tractor and it comes with the NH 7308 Loader, Woods 8500 Backhoe and 4 ft. Rotary Cutter. The 4 cyl 32/28 hp diesel motor has 1035 hours and only 2 hours since motor rebuild. It does show a little wear but it's a good running no-frills machine that comes with all the attachments you'll ever need. It has the ROPS, MFWD (4x4), 540 rpm PTO, 12 forward and 4 reverse gears and the tires have plenty of tread. Other than the hydraulic cylinders leaking a bit it's in good shape and ready to go.

Comes with ag tires.


I'm not looking for a "project", I don't mind investing a few hours or days here and here to work on things, but don't have too much time otherwise.

The price difference is pretty big, but I'm wondering if the savings here is worth the time and effort of fixing the MF, and whether by the time I'm done fixing the MF, I will have ended up just wasting time and spending more money than what I initially saved.

Unfortunately these are the only two tractors that meet my criteria
- less than $10k ish or less
- has loader+bucket
- 4wd

Either tractor is a 2 hr drive (in opposite directions!)

 

[Roadworthy]

On the M-F the four wheel drive (a requirement) doesn't work and there are power steering problems. These could be minor or major. The New Holland was overhauled at just over 1000 hours. Why is that? Either way you're getting a backhoe as part of the package but was not on your original punch list. You have a tractor now. You may wish to consider being patient and waiting for the right tractor to become available. If you just can't wait the New Holland is probably the wiser choice.

 

[fried1765]

On the M-F the four wheel drive (a requirement) doesn't work and there are power steering problems. These could be minor or major. The New Holland was overhauled at just over 1000 hours. Why is that? Either way you're getting a backhoe as part of the package but was not on your original punch list. You have a tractor now. You may wish to consider being patient and waiting for the right tractor to become available. If you just can't wait the New Holland is probably the wiser choice.

I agree!
I can't begin to imagine why the 1920 engine was "overhauled at 1000 hours....unless it was terribly abused.
Unless you really want the 1920 backhoe, I would pass on both.
That said: I do have a 4x4 1920 FEL (no BH), and love the tractor.

 

[fried1765]

On the M-F the four wheel drive (a requirement) doesn't work and there are power steering problems. These could be minor or major. The New Holland was overhauled at just over 1000 hours. Why is that? Either way you're getting a backhoe as part of the package but was not on your original punch list. You have a tractor now. You may wish to consider being patient and waiting for the right tractor to become available. If you just can't wait the New Holland is probably the wiser choice.

I agree!
I can't begin to imagine why the 1920 engine was "overhauled at 1000 hours....unless it was terribly abused.
Unless you really want the 1920 backhoe, I would pass on both.
That said: I do have a 4x4 1920 FEL (no BH), and love the little tractor.

 

[dieselscout80]

The 1920 looks like it has the forward / reverse shift lever on the dash.

My 424 has the shifter between my knees like that MF looks to have. I do not like having the shifter down there especially for loader work.

That said there may be less linkage pivot points to wear out with a center shifter.

 

[JohnFourteenSix]

The owner of the 1920 says he's "selling the farm", the 1045 guy says he barely uses it. Of course, it's impossible to know how honest people are until after the fact. I've asked the 1920 guy why he rebuilt the engine; let's see what he says.

There are other tractors near me available, I just narrowed it down to these two because they seemed like good deals. I thought I saw a few in the 20-30 HP range for pretty much that same price without the backhoe. I don't know if I'll need a backhoe later on, but it's always been on my list of "nice to haves". Most of my ground engaging work has been done via (abusing) my subsoiler and/or bucket.

There's also a Ford 1710 4wd for $5k, but I don't know how I feel about getting essentially the same tractor that I still feel is a bit underpowered for my needs. Also, bigger wheels is probably the only thing that'll truly save me from the mud/swamp here.

 

[JohnFourteenSix]

There's a John Deere 1070 for $11k, for example; and it has turfs too

 

[JohnFourteenSix]

email reply from the 1920 seller, when I asked him why he rebuilt the engine:

Motor was running perfectly but I bent the #2 connecting rod by hitting a mound of concrete hidden in some high weeds so we replaced that rod, put in new .010 over main and rod bearings, straightened and turned the crank .010. Put in new seals and gaskets too, of course. Everything else was inspected but was all within specs since we were only at just over 1,000 hours so was put back in.

Just to clarify, everything functions on the tractor and attachments but the bucket tilt cylinders have an internal leak somewhere that allows the bucket to slowly tilt down over time. Lift is fine, just the tilt. I didn't use the backhoe very much so the hoses have deteriorated a bit and one hose for the bucket tilt function started leaking when we were testing it. The lift and swivel of the backhoe bucket work fine but the bucket tilt slowly releases so if you plan on using the backhoe function very much I would recommend replacing those hoses and cylinders. Outriggers seem fine and can lift the tractor off the ground but still, I'd recommend replacing that system too if it's to be used frequently.

 

[RickB]

That engine story makes no sense. I'd pass.

 

[fried1765]

For the OP: Rick knows these Fords.
I would suggest you take his advice!

 

[RickB]

Not so much about Fords as just questioning the plausibility of that tale as it relates to probable damage causes and commonly accepted repair strategies.
It’s not likely to bend a connecting rod as described and the thought of straightening a crankshaft is just scary.

 

[JohnFourteenSix]

If I do decide to get it? what's the worst that can happen. This guy seems to run a boat yard (if this contributes any add'l info) and he's been forthcoming with any information I've been asking of him.

Am I being unreasonable in my price/feature requirements?

 

[MA1920]

A few things, I don't want this to sound like a "this tractor is the best because I have one" post. With that being stated the 1920 has a reputation as a stout machine. A long time poster on here, Soundguy, had one and when I had a question about mine he stated he regretted selling his.

As Rick already stated that engine story sounds odd. I would value his opinion. I realize good equipment is going to command a good price. I'm (thankfully) out of the tractor market, so I couldn't begin to know what is a reasonable price. As in any major purchase, take your time. The deal that is right for you is out there.

Bob

 

[terryknight]

I would skip the 1045, we had one. we sold it because it got to the point that it was almost impossible to get parts for. it was a good solid no frills tractor that did a lot of work, if we could get parts for it we may have kept it

 

[IH3444]

Agree with Rick, and I have been into many an engine. Something else would have broke before bending the crank or rod from hitting a concrete block. Rods and crank usually bend from hydro-lock.

 

[JohnFourteenSix]

So I ended up 120 hour JD 3032e for 15k from the dealership with decent financing! I don't know if it's as much machine as those other tractors, but it should be worry-free for the price point.

 

[cathy liebchen]

Both look like projects, I would get something newer