1989 Ford 1520 ?'s, PS fluid,filters, startup, etc.

NathanatFork · Feb 22, 2008

Ill start off by apologizing for all the questions which may be common sense to most but not me, lol. Ill probably have more questions later but need to ask these to prevent myself from damaging my tractor before I get in the manual.

Ok, I am completely ignorant of anything tractor or deisel and not too great at mechanical stuff. I have read through over 200 pages of posts on these forums trying to educate myself and have found out a great number of things. I just bought my first tractor and feel like Im in over my head. I bought a 1989 Ford 1520 4wd, Hydro, w/ FEL 1200hrs

I have ordered an owners manual online but it will probably not be here for a week. I dont want to mess this thing up using it for the next week with no fluids or whatever.

First off, I was looking everything over and trying tof ind where to check all the fluids. Found the power steering reservoir on the top right side of the engine and it is low. Doesnt register on the dipstick. What type of power steering fluid do I use?

Second, cheked the oil and it is at the correct level but it is blacker than black so I guess it hasnt been changed in a while. I dont know anything about the history of this tractor. I probably need to do a full service but that will not come until after I get the manual. The one I ordered is an original manual and Im guessing the part numbers for the filters may have changed in the last 20 years. How can I find out the current part numbers for all the filters Ill need and where is the best place to order them online?

Third, when I start it up, I turn the key to the left for the glowplugs and the glowplug light comes on the dash. But, it never goes out. I hold it for 10-15 seconds then start. Is this normal or sould the glowplug dashlight go out automatically when the plugs are warmed up enough?

When I start the engine, it will rattle loudly for 10-15 seconds then idle very smoothly, is this normal?

With the hyrdrostatic transmission, when I step on the peddle, I have to ease it down as it kind of whines and I can feel it through my foot. If I push the peddle down fast it kind of resists and makes a reeeeeeeerr sound. It does fine easing it down and works in all three ranges. Trans doesnt seem to slip or anything. Anyone know what Im talking about and is this normal?

Fluids I checked were the power steering fluid which is low, engine oil which was full and black, coolant which was full and green, and what Im assuming is the hydraulic fluid with a dipstick located between your feet up against where the seat is which was full and clear. Are there any other fluids or places I should check fluid levels?

Anything else I should check before I use it this week until I get the manual and know what all Im supposed to do? I just dont want to overlook a fluid or something and tear something up.

Do I need to put a coffee can or something over the top of the exhaust in case it rains? It seems I see that in a lot of pictures.

The seller showed me to start it with the throttle lever about a 1/4 of the way up but in several posts Ive read on other tractors it says startup with throttle closed or barely cracked. So, is it ol to startup with the throttle pushed up 1/4 way? Is it ok to turn the tractor off just with the key or should I do something else before shutdown?

I think thats it, lol. Again, sorry for so many questions. Even though I feel completely over my head, I completely love this tractor. I keep just looking at it sitting there, lol. Thanks so much for any help.

drivadesl · Feb 22, 2008

Hey Nathan. Congrats on the new tractor. I own the same year and model though mine is gear drive. I found it to be a great machine, and has been very reliable. I'll try to answer some of your questions:

1. The power steering reservoir has a fill and overflow inside, so as you add fluid, it will drain until it is at the correct level. Just add fluid slowly to give it time to drain down otherwise it will overflow. I use the Tractor hydraulic fluid from Wallymart which is the same fluid you would use in your transmission I beleive. It has worked fine for me, I've had no problems with it.

2. I can't comment on the hydrostatic transmission, though would expect it would whine somewhat. As you say, I would drain and replace fluid and change filter. The fluid level check is the dipstick at your feet in the operator station as you mentioned.

3. The ignition glowplug switchworks as you mentioned, though the light normally goes out by itself after 4S I believe it uses a timed relay. I would assume if the light goes on the glowplugs are getting power, as the manual says in very cold weather you can continue to hold the switch on even after the lights go out and up to 10S. I wouldn't hold the light on to long, it may not be good for the glowplugs. If not working correctly you will have rough starts in cold weather.

4. The manual says the low idle speed should be set at 800-900 RPM. Once started, you can set it and forget it. Mine starts no problem set this way.

5. My engine does rattle a little during cold weather, but only for 2-3 seconds when cold on startup. If you have the block heater, you should use this. The manaul says below 0F, but I use mine when its freezing or below. Starting is much smoother, and I've sure its better to start a warm engine than a frozen one.

6. I keep my tractor under cover, though have used the coffee can on occasion. I guess it can't hurt anything, cept use a plastic one in case it gets blown off and hits the hood.

I think you have the fluid checks covered otherwise. Best of luck on the new machine. It should give you good service. BTW do you mind if I ask what you paid for it? I've got mine up for sale, while waiting on my TN-70.

RickB · Feb 22, 2008

The noises at startup, use of the hydrostatic pedal and condition of the fluids (other than power steering) sound normal. An engine oil change is probably a good idea, but diesel engine oil gets black quickly. You can check the front axle oil level at the left top of the axle beam halfway between the center pivot and the front wheel. A dipstick is attached to the 17mm (hex) bolt/plug. All fasteners on the tractor are metric, the loader probably is not. The tractor requires only three different fluids. Diesel rated engine oil either 10w-30 or 15w-40, universal tractor hydraulic fluid (New Holland 134D or its equivalent), and permanant antifreeze with DCA additive. Current New Holland filter part numbers: engine oil 87415600 fuel 87300039 hydraulic 9846407 hydrostatic SBA340500990 air 86512888. The glow plug lamp timer relay has most likely failed. On a 1520, the relay conrtols the indicator lamp only, not the glowplugs. The relay is mounted to the front of the firewall and the current part number is SBA385870301. The guy who sold you the tractor gave good advise on glowplug use with a failed lamp relay.

NathanatFork · Feb 22, 2008

Drivadesl and RickB, Thanks so much for the replies and the filter numbers! Feel much better to hear that it all sounds normal. Guess Ill head towal-mart or TSC today for some of the hyrdraulic fluid for the PS. I do plan on parking my trctor under cover pretty soon but just moved here and the small barn pools water when it rains. Have to add some rock this week for a parking pad.

As for the price on my tractor. It is cosmetically lacking, lol. Dents on the hood and front cap, front mesh grill is messed up a bit. And the paint is faded and scratched pretty good. None of the lights work. And it has a nice metal canopy coming of the ROPS. Runs good though, just wont win any beauty contests, lol. They had repacked the loader hydraulics to stop a leak. Have turf tires which are probably only 20% tread but they hold air good. Came hooked up with an old 4' rhino shredder with lots of rust through holes on it. Oh, and the loader is one of the quick attach ones. Paid $5750 for it in the above condition. Hopefully that helps you. Not sure if I got a good deal or taken advantage of but I thought it was a good tractor for the money. Everything else I own is all beat up so figured I needed a tractor to match, lol.

Thanks again both of you for the great replies!

dqdave1 · Feb 25, 2008

Use 134 fluid as this is what CNH uses. When I buy something used; first thing I do, is change engine oil, filter; antifreeze, check air filters(usually need changed) Hydro filters and fluid. How many hours on it? By doing it when I buy it; I have a reference point as to when everything was changed.
I switched to synthetic oil last year, and it makes a big difference on starting in cold weather. Just make sure everything you use is diesel rated. New Holland filters are usually same price as aftermart I have found.
Also; don't forget tto grease ALL fittings.

NathanatFork · Feb 27, 2008

Have another one for the gurus. Thanks for all the help so far. I have the filters on order for a complete service. I have tracked down the problems of the light not working to a blown fuse.

The 1520 has 3 fuses in the fuse box. I got my operators manual in but unfortunately it does not show what the fuses are for. I know the bottom fuse is the one for the lights, but what do the other two go to?

Mine has much larger fuses in place of whats suposed to be there. Hopefully they just stuck in what was at hand and didnt increase the size because they had a problem with blowing fuses.

For my new question,

Does anyone know the part number for a headlight bulb for this tractor? Im missing one and it does not give the info in the operators manual. Im hoping one can be picked up at TSC or an autoparts store.

Im also wondering if anyone can tell me where the hydraulic filter screen is? I have been told that when I change the filters and fluid, I should also clean the prefilter screen. But, I have no clue where that is as its not in my operators manual and I cant find it online.

I would appreciate the help. Thanks.

alvanko · Feb 27, 2008

SBA385120650 BULB
.
Try this site.............
Medina Tractor Sales - Medina, Ohio
click on parts.
click on launch catalog
type in model number and wala!

RickB · Feb 27, 2008

alvanko said:
SBA385120650 BULB
.
Try this site.............
Medina Tractor Sales - Medina, Ohio
click on parts.
click on launch catalog
type in model number and wala!

SBA385120650 is Europe only likely not correct for this tractor.
SBA385120610 is a dual element bulb used until 7/31/92 for North America.

Not likely you will find it at your local auto parts house. $10-$12 at the New Holland dealer.

NathanatFork · Feb 27, 2008

RickB- Thanks for the info on the bulb. It is the dual element one. Ill have to get to a dealer then. Was hoping it would be available closer.

Alvanko- Thanks so much for the link to that site. I can pull up diagrams and parts breakdowns for dang near everything on the tractor. I have been looking for something like that, its great.

Anyone know where the hydraulic filter screen is? Is it somewhere close to the hydraulic filter or HST filter? Im going through the diagrams on that link line by line trying to find up but maybe someone has an idea to narrow it down. Thanks.

NathanatFork · Feb 28, 2008

Ok, I spent two hours going through every part listed on those diagrams. Im beginning to think the person who told me to clean the hydraulic filter screen was just making it up. He said it should be long and cylindrical and a metal mesh that needs to be cleaned off.

Does this thing even exist on my tractor, can someone tell me that? Thanks.