Buying Advice Ford 1710 - considering purchase and looking for advice

[KJ115]

Hi all,

I've been reading the forums for the past couple on months and am close to buying my first tractor. I'm looking at a well cared for Ford 1710 and need some advice...

I've looked at a number of machines, primarily Kubotas and JD, but am having a hard time getting over the premium price. I want something well made that will last, but the label doesn't matter so much to me. After paying through the nose for parts fpr my JD 185 lawn tractor, I'm not to psyched about the premium for being green. Having said that, i do realize you get what you pay for, so I want to be sure I'm not making a mistake here.

My need is primarily landscaping projects on about 4ac of lawn...expand and till an already large garden, fruit orchard, fencing, small pond, ect. And also to plow about 700' of driveway and a small parking lot in the CT winters. So, FEL, PTO snowblower, tiller are the biggies. Post hole digger a likely want. A
finish mower is a possibility, but I'll likely just continue to use the 185 for mowing. I'd want a collection system and adding that to the price of a belly mower just starts to get crazy, for me. So slower with what I have is fine.

I've considered older kubota B and Bx's 1500-2200 and similar JDs, but am having a hard time finding an older machine with reasonable hours that isn't
completely beat. The discount for used just doesn't seem to be there and I cant justify $15k+ for a new machine. So that's how I got to looking for an
older Ford.

I found one locally. 1710, son of the original ower bought new in 1986. 1300hrs. Factory FEL and York rake. Seems to have had very good maint - current owner, the son, is a mechanic and his attention to detail really shows in how he keeps his other equipment. He is asking $5k, which seems like a decent deal -yes?

He did disclose that the brakes need new pads.
Question: Looks like parts are about $200 and not too hard to change out myself-correct?
Also, the rear tires, which are filled with calcium, are cracking and probably need to be replaced in a year or so. any idea what this would run?

My big question in all of this is regarding lack of power steering and the transmission not being a hydro. I'm sure if I had both, I'd love them, but I'm in my mid thirties, able to turn a wheel, and reasonably coordinated (walk/chew gum, not a problem). Am I crazy for not being willing to pay $8-$10k for a smaller machine that doesn't seem to have had good care? i'd hate to regret the decision come January when I'm trying to clear the drive.

Any other considerations beyond what I've read here on the forums?

Thanks in advance for any help - this forum has been an awesome resource for me.

Kj






Budget is a consideration, although I'm willing to pay-up if that is really necessary. I realize power steering and hydro transmission are considered by many to be a requirement, but

 

[Marveltone]

Is the Ford 4wd? Front assist is a very good thing for loader use with these smaller tractors, as is power steering. I run gears with my FEL all the time. A little slower, sure, but I'm in no race. The gears really shine when mowing and doing field work; Anything where you want to keep a constant speed. Hydrostatic shines while doing FEL work and snow-blowing, where infinite variable speeds are required. In the end, both will get the job done.

Is $5000 too much? I can't answer that, but I will say that I paid much more for my little 1510 and have no regrets. The 1710 is a great little tractor, built like a tank, and in my opinion, much easier to work on than the newer stuff. My biggest concerns with this are the question about 4wd and the lack of power steering with an attached FEL.

Now that I've sufficiently muddied the waters, I'll let someone who actually knows what he's talking about chime in.

Joe

 

[randy41]

i have a 1710 and its been a great machine. mine is 4wd and has power steering. i didn't know you could get a 1710 without power steering. the price sounds good if the machine is in reasonably decent shape. i once did replace the brake linings and while it wasn't too difficult to do it was hard removing the necessary bolts without their heads tearing off. mine needs this done again but it was expensive for the parts so i get by with semi-good brakes. there are some after market parts available so the inevitable replacement of things like waterpumps, starters, and alternators isn't too bad. the best thing you can do is get a good detailed repair manual.
i don't have a FEL but i have done extensive tilling, plowing. disking, bush hogging, firewood hauling, snow pushing, and cultivating over the last 20 years that i've owned my 1710 and am satisfied with its performance.

 

[finspop]

I had a 4WD 1710 with a loader but without power steering. Great little tractor and while I would've rather had power steering, it wasn't really that big a deal to not have it.

If the one you're looking at is 4WD, I'd snap it up. I paid $8k for mine; it had 800 hrs and was close to mint. Used it two years and sold it for the same.

 

[EHR]

I owned a 1710 before and loved it, sold it when I couldn't get some basic parts. I would buy a current version of it in a second. Previously I remember reading here that front axles, blocks etc either were not available or extremely expensive if you could find them.

 

[KJ115]

Thanks so much for all the help folks.

Sorry, I failed to mention, yes it is 4WD. Also, comes with the complete original owners manual.

Looks like I could probably add the power steering from what I've read, provided I could locate the parts. Anybody have experience with that?

Thanks again.

KJ

 

[Wolfy]

I have a 1984 Ford 1710, with 4wd and a loader. It has been a great tractor. It does not have power steering. Can be a workout with a full bucket. Mine has the 6x16 front R-1s, with a full bucket they flex more than I would like, however R4s are not available for this machine. The 12x4 transmission is fantastic (similiar vintage JD and Kubota usually have a 8x2 setup.) The hydraulics are somewhat slow, but that's how they were made. My rears tires are also cracked, remember calcium requires tubes, doesn't hurt performance. I highly advise if you buy it, to search for the 66lb OEM rear weights, they make a big time difference. Mine now would climb a mountain. I paid $8,000 with a mint cab, $5,000 is a steal.

 

[Wolfy]

Also, I bought my 1710 last year, before this blockbuster winter...Blue plowed out my yard like a tank. I was quite impresssed. With the loader and rear grading blade, there wasn't much it wouldn't move. Besides the rear weights, you might need tire chains. I saw a real nice selection at TireChains.Com

 

[silvertramp]

I have a Yanmar 276D 4wd, loader.. no ps. I'm in my mid 60's and manage without it. There's a kit available but I haven't bothered. I'd go for it.

 

[KJ115]

Thanks for all the responses, folks. I decided to go ahead and make the purchase! Should arrive this weekend.