Buying Advice Ford 1920

DigitalCowboy · Jan 26, 2014

A while back I saw this 1920 listed for sale on a dealer site, didn't have a loader which is something I wanted but I called anyway and asked them if there's any way they could find a loader for it. Guy immediately told me they were a John Deere dealer and "couldn't get" a loader for a Ford. This kind of put me off... you can't get aftermarket? Anyway I sort of lost interest at that point sensing they didn't want a sale that bad.

Well, that was almost a year ago and I was looking through their site again- same tractor is still there and the price has come down. I'm thinking of going over there in person to look at it and see if they want to sell it this time.

It's a 1988, MFWD, 12F/4R shuttle shift trans., 1 SCV, from their site. 2728hrs, $6500 Looks like one new rear tire from the pictures, other rear is probably 25-50%, fronts are also well worn.
Is that a good price?

What kinds of things should I look at if I am over there? Any weak points on these?

Also, as far as loaders... if I wanted to just handle that myself what do I want to get and how hard are they to install? I have plenty of tools and another loader tractor on hand and more importantly the time/inclination to do it which I didn't have a year ago.

Thanks!

kirkawilson · Jan 27, 2014

I bought a used 1998 Ford 1920 (680 hours) with a loader & 5' rotary cutter a couple of years ago for $6500 as my first tractor. Being new to tractors, I did not know much to check for. Fortunately, the previous owner disclosed the major problem and it has been a great machine. The major problem was the clutch was gone...$1500 installed by independent tractor guy. Before buying, I would drive the tractor with implement attached and check how 'soft' the clutch is. It is a dual clutch with first half of engagement throw for the PTO and second half for tractor drive.
Other things to check; the oil level in front axle and the front wheel FWD seals (picture looks like seals are bad), the hydraulic oil level and condition, response of the 3PH lifters, hydraulic hose condition, engine oil level & condition, color of diesel exhaust when starting, glow plug function.
One major annoyance with my 1920 is that the electrical safeties were bypassed (buggered-up) by previous owner and now the wiring/connection electrical loses keep the starter from getting a full 12 volts to the solenoid. I am now jumping the starter with screwdrivers and am considering installing a push-button to bypass the electrical harness to fire the starter. The FarmExchange sales ad (Granton) says that it has a new starter. I replaced my starter but it did not fix the electrical wiring problem. Check the dash lights to make sure they glow brightly when you turn on ignition switch.
Good luck. A good condition 1920 is a great workhorse tractor!

DigitalCowboy · Jan 27, 2014

Thanks for the info, anyone know how difficult it is to replace the seals in that hub assembly? I've done rear axle seals on my TO-30 before so I'm not afraid of tearing things apart if need be.

DigitalCowboy · Jan 28, 2014

Can anyone tell me how a 1920 is going to compare to my Ferguson TO-30 in terms of raw pushing/pulling power?

TractorTech · Feb 1, 2014

The 1920 is a great tractor. $6500 is probably a little high considering hours, age and the amount of time the have had it.
An aftermarket loader can be had for this tractor from a handful of loader manufacturers and is not difficult to install.
The front hub and pivot seals are not difficult to install although the assembly is sometimes tight and difficult to take apart.
The 1920 in 2wd has about the same pulling power as a TO30, but in 4wd will outpull it easily. The 4wd along with 12 speeds and better lugging of the diesel, make it able to out perform the TO30 handily.
Good luck making a deal with an "only green" dealer.

downslope · Feb 1, 2014

Is the tranny in this 1920 he's looking at what's called a power reverser or power shuttle? How do you check these out to be sure it's working correct and is not something that in the future will need a big $$ repair that you may not be able to tackle yourself? Or is the 1920 just a mechanical shuttle?

On the surface I think the price is too high for the hours on what is still a CUT tractor that was probably used hard and still needs a loader installed. Also the fact that it hasn't sold in such a long time may mean that others have seen problems beyond the high price.

TractorTech · Feb 2, 2014

Downslope, the tractor he is looking at is not a shuttle. The 1920 came with this simple gear transmission and with a manual synchro-shuttle transmission. 2 ways to tell is the F/R lever on the LH side of steering column and it had a SSS decal on the hood. It is a fully synchronized transmission, but is manual due to the necessity to use the clutch for gear changes. It was one of the first truely manual shuttles in the Ford line that you could shift from forward to reverse wbile rolling.
I agree with you on your comments and those previous on price and concerns. Many John Deere dealers don't want to mess with competitive trade ins. Shame, it's money tied up in inventory regardless of color.

DigitalCowboy · Feb 2, 2014

Well I looked at it, it was a little rough but not bad for something of that age- did notice a softball sized rust hole in the fender though. I was still willing if they were willing to come down on price and locate a loader for me...

Dealer says the lot it's in is for stuff that hasn't sold and is marked down to close to cost and will not budge on price. Did not call me back with a price for the tractor + loader. Guess they didn't have any interest in making a sale, I really wonder how places like that stay in business but whatever. Gave me an overnight to think over whether I really wanted to invest close to $10k by the time the loader is installed(I estimate since they never called back) in an old machine that I have no idea of the maintenance history.

The local Mahindra dealer apparently did want to sell a tractor and did call me back.... and dug two tractors out of a snowdrift so I could test drive them, and quoted me a reasonable price right off the bat. So, hopefully if they have the tires ballasted for me I should be taking delivery of a brand new Mahindra 3535 tomorrow.

Thanks for all the info everyone!