Free Ford 1210

[Jstpssng]

would love to have something that is 4x4 and possibly with a cab. Just you are talking a lot more than I can afford right now.

Just a hint, based on experience. Unless you are a proficient enough mechanic to know what it might need before you start; it will be less expensive to wait until you can afford what you need rather than trying to fix something which has been setting for a few years and had problems when it was parked. There's a reason why people have been suggesting it would be a good parts machine.

 

[Hexa Fox]

Just a hint, based on experience. Unless you are a proficient enough mechanic to know what it might need before you start; it will be less expensive to wait until you can afford what you need rather than trying to fix something which has been setting for a few years and had problems when it was parked. There's a reason why people have been suggesting it would be a good parts machine.

Well I would suggest they speak bluntly. I am thinking I am going to take the effort to at least 'mess around with it' with my friend. Because I would rather mess around with this machine put a little money into it and learn on a free machine rather than one I spent $10,000. My friend also knows his stuff, not to brag. He buys old Briggs engines and bought a shop after the pandemic hit. He has been working on cars ever since. Not that he started there.

What I am trying to say is that him offering to help me is an opportunity to say the least.

 

[Jstpssng]

Well I would suggest they speak bluntly. I am thinking I am going to take the effort to at least 'mess around with it' with my friend. Because I would rather mess around with this machine put a little money into it and learn on a free machine rather than one I spent $10,000. My friend also knows his stuff, not to brag. He buys old Briggs engines and bought a shop after the pandemic hit. He has been working on cars ever since. Not that he started there.

What I am trying to say is that him offering to help me is an opportunity to say the least.

Good luck then. I didn't mean to rain on your parade.

 

[Hexa Fox]

Good luck then. I didn't mean to rain on your parade.

No you didn't. Just saying if someone is hinting at something they are welcome to tell me respectfully. I appreciate any advice I can get. I know the tractor is worth something, even the way it sits. I remember doing research on the engines and stuff back then and found they were sought after machines. Now I personally WILL NEVER understand people putting a lot of money into a machine that is not running. Regardless of what it is. Because we got offers like Sandman's now. He just was not interested, he was convinced he was going to get thousands. The man has done me right over the years but sometimes I just do not get people.

I know if I post the machine the way it sits someone will come and give me good money for a not running machine. Now I am not going to put a number on it because I don't actually know. If Sandman was here right now with $1,000 in hand and I had possession of the tractor I can tell you he is leaving with it.

I also forgot my neighbor has a larger Ford and he said he may be interested in selling it. I never got a number on what he wanted. I do not know about driving a manual tractor with a clutch. I drove a Mazda truck (Ford Ranger) that was a manual for awhile and it was awkward for me because I started on an automatic. I cannot imagine trying to learn on a tractor while trying to lower or raise an implement, worrying about 4x4, then actually using the implement. How does it work if you are trying to lift something with a FEL? If your tractor slows down do you need to put it in neutral to keep it from stalling out? Sorry just never been on a manual tractor.

 

[hornett22]

It would be a nice machine to run a 5 foot finish mower or 4 foot tiller.

 

[chim]

I've had a Ford 1210 since around '91 and it's a great little tractor. Mine is a hydro with 4WD and it performs like a larger tractor. It handles a lighter weight 5' rear mower fine, and can move a good bit of snow with w 6' rear blade.

The muffler rotted out so I replumbed it to point up with a Cherry Bomb in line and a flapper on top.

Although it wouldn't be my choice as the only tractor, i put new R1 tires on it about a year or so ago, and don't plan on selling it any time soon.

 

[panamaguy]

Take it get it running and look for a after market FEL if you need one. Before I moved from Canada to Panama I bought a Kobota B7001 (Grey market B7100) that had been a rice paddy machine in Vietnam before imported into Canada. The importer put on a after market loader and I brought it to Panama, used it a million times. Just make it fit they are pretty standard.

 

[pacosperson]

Hey guys for years my neighbor has been interested in getting rid of his Ford tractor. So I do not think it has ran in the better part of a decade. He recently told me that it was free to me if I wanted to have it. I have posted elsewhere and got a lot of mixed feedback. I have never owned a tractor before but have been in the market for one for a long time. I do not think he really has any attachments left for it. Anyway I would love to get some feedback. The neighbor used it when it was running and I believe he told me that it leaking fuel on one of the cylinders or something.

Anyway I think it would be really cool to have if I could find FEL for it. So far I have learned that it may be tough to locate one. I heard that the company that made this Ford was also making New Holland at the time so an equivalent New Holland FEL would work. I have already checked with a couple companies that make after market FEL's but unfortunately they do not make one compatible with this tractor. Anyway I do not even know where to begin looking for an attachment like this because I need a specific one. I have worked on plenty of engines over my life but never had to work on a diesel engine before. Anyway I would love to hear feedback on what you guys think I should do. Even though I heard these engines are reliable I do not know how much money I want to invest into attachments or work though. I will also attack a picture of the tractor as well.
View attachment 768391

I had one for many years. It appears to be 4WD but I can't be sure. They're tough little tractors. I removed the idiot lights on mine, installed gauges, and never pumped fuel until oil pressure had built. I bought a Wood FEL that was a perfect fit, but that was more than 20 years ago. Ended up with a front drive snow blower, power angle plow, and belly mower. The tractor is perfect for those applications. The front drive snow blower connection is incredibly complex and fragile. It's a fine little tractor if it has 4WD and a loader and maybe a set of chains. It will pull the stuff you want pulled and carry the stuff you want carried and do this while YOU are sitting down. No, it shouldn't be used to dig out for an inground pool. (I know, I did that) But IF it is 4WD it is very much more than a glorified riding mower.

 

[Little Red Tractor]

No you didn't. Just saying if someone is hinting at something they are welcome to tell me respectfully. I appreciate any advice I can get. I know the tractor is worth something, even the way it sits. I remember doing research on the engines and stuff back then and found they were sought after machines. Now I personally WILL NEVER understand people putting a lot of money into a machine that is not running. Regardless of what it is. Because we got offers like Sandman's now. He just was not interested, he was convinced he was going to get thousands. The man has done me right over the years but sometimes I just do not get people.

I know if I post the machine the way it sits someone will come and give me good money for a not running machine. Now I am not going to put a number on it because I don't actually know. If Sandman was here right now with $1,000 in hand and I had possession of the tractor I can tell you he is leaving with it.

I also forgot my neighbor has a larger Ford and he said he may be interested in selling it. I never got a number on what he wanted. I do not know about driving a manual tractor with a clutch. I drove a Mazda truck (Ford Ranger) that was a manual for awhile and it was awkward for me because I started on an automatic. I cannot imagine trying to learn on a tractor while trying to lower or raise an implement, worrying about 4x4, then actually using the implement. How does it work if you are trying to lift something with a FEL? If your tractor slows down do you need to put it in neutral to keep it from stalling out? Sorry just never been on a manual tractor.

Learning to use a manual transmission on a tractor is not at all like using one on a car or pickup. Don't let it scare you. Just put it in the gear you want and go. You don't working about going through the gears.

 

[KingBubba]

The shift is only for you to decide how much power or speed is needed. You pick a gear at a standstill, let out the clutch and you are working. No shifting while moving like a car. With a FEL you will need 4WD and real tractor tires, not the lawn tires it is fitted with now. You also would be better suited with a rear mount grass cutter. Belly mowers are a pain to move on and off. The rear mower would also be needed as counterweight if you do go with an FEL. Good luck to you.

 

[sandman2234]

I also wish You hadn't taken the rusted out belly mower to the scrap yard! I am a little bit handy with sheet metal and a welder and a rusted out one still makes a good pattern!
A rear mounted mower doesn't hug a tree nearly as close as a belly mower!
Let me know if you take possession of the 1210 and if it goes up for sale.
David from Jax

 

[72chevy4x4]

I had a 1710 12yrs back and the rod that the valves rockers rotate on broke (between #1 and #2 cylinder) it was low on power and not up to the task I had for it so it began to gather dust as a kubota stepped into the picture.

 

[Hexa Fox]

The shift is only for you to decide how much power or speed is needed. You pick a gear at a standstill, let out the clutch and you are working. No shifting while moving like a car. With a FEL you will need 4WD and real tractor tires, not the lawn tires it is fitted with now. You also would be better suited with a rear mount grass cutter. Belly mowers are a pain to move on and off. The rear mower would also be needed as counterweight if you do go with an FEL. Good luck to you.

Learning to use a manual transmission on a tractor is not at all like using one on a car or pickup. Don't let it scare you. Just put it in the gear you want and go. You don't working about going through the gears.

Thank you guys for confirming. Someone said there is a "learning curve" and I am sure there is. I will probably be able to use it no problem as long as you are only messing with the clutch from stopped position. Does anyone know what the trans is like on this? Like where 1st and Reverse are in case I get it started? I also believe he told me this model is 2WD.

 

[Hexa Fox]

I also wish You hadn't taken the rusted out belly mower to the scrap yard! I am a little bit handy with sheet metal and a welder and a rusted out one still makes a good pattern!
A rear mounted mower doesn't hug a tree nearly as close as a belly mower!
Let me know if you take possession of the 1210 and if it goes up for sale.
David from Jax

Yeah thanks for all the help, if I decide to sell it I will give you the opportunity to purchase first.

 

[sd455dan]

Well I would suggest they speak bluntly. I am thinking I am going to take the effort to at least 'mess around with it' with my friend. Because I would rather mess around with this machine put a little money into it and learn on a free machine rather than one I spent $10,000. My friend also knows his stuff, not to brag. He buys old Briggs engines and bought a shop after the pandemic hit. He has been working on cars ever since. Not that he started there.

What I am trying to say is that him offering to help me is an opportunity to say the least.

Here is an older Shibaura tractor refresh...
He was able to put it back to good running condition with what looked to be a minimum of new parts. I would have reversed the rear tires though.

I say go for it.

We learn by doing

 

[sandman2234]

Here is an older Shibaura tractor refresh...
He was able to put it back to good running condition with what looked to be a minimum of new parts. I would have reversed the rear tires though.

I say go for it.

We learn by doing

Wow! Never a broken bolt, stripped threads or any fitting problem that couldn't be fixed with a ball peen hammer!
David from jax

 

[Hexa Fox]

I also wish You hadn't taken the rusted out belly mower to the scrap yard! I am a little bit handy with sheet metal and a welder and a rusted out one still makes a good pattern!
A rear mounted mower doesn't hug a tree nearly as close as a belly mower!
Let me know if you take possession of the 1210 and if it goes up for sale.
David from Jax

I thought about that before taking it. Like "is this repairable or could it be worth more than scrap metal to someone?". It was in pretty rough shape though, not saying that you could not have done something with it. Another thing that was probably on my mind is upsetting this guy. I do think about taking this tractor or something, making a profit off of it and upsetting him in the process. It cannot be helped though.

 

[jmc]

I do think about taking this tractor or something, making a profit off of it and upsetting him in the process. It cannot be helped though.

Yep, that's awkward. My neighbor had an auction in which one of the items had been a gift from his friend. Turned out, the friend was at the auction and was pretty upset with my neighbor.

I think you could truthfully tell your friend that you would like to have the 1210 to restore and see if it fits your needs, but if you can't find a loader or if traction is an issue, then you would have to trade it in on something else. That lets him decide.

 

[Hexa Fox]

Yep, that's awkward. My neighbor had an auction in which one of the items had been a gift from his friend. Turned out, the friend was at the auction and was pretty upset with my neighbor.

I think you could truthfully tell your friend that you would like to have the 1210 to restore and see if it fits your needs, but if you can't find a loader or if traction is an issue, then you would have to trade it in on something else. That lets him decide.

Yeah, people are funny when it comes to money. I do not want him to feel betrayed if I decide to sell or trade. I do not know if you saw my previous posts but I have worked for this guy for many years. Anyway this is the best advice, someone else mentioned it as well. I will tell him before I move it from his property.

 

[SonomaCountyGentleman]

If it was me I would accept the freebie and then find a use for it. Look for an FEL but if you can’t find one just forget about it until one appears. Meanwhile find a use for the 3pt hitch on the back. Make sure your wife with is OK with this gift. No sense in pissing her off for something you are only luke warm about.