Upgrade to 1630 from 1700?

Sportplumber · Mar 7, 2009

I have a chance to buy a NH 1630, 1998 with 800 hours 7308 FEL, 4wd hydrostatic for $8000.00. I have a 1700 with 65 hrs on a rebuilt engine. 2200 total hours. Great little tractor. I am a little worried about parts for the 1700 as it gets older and power steering would be nice.

Don't do much FEL work I just drag a riding arena mostly. Still that's a 20 year newer machine.

Should I go for it?

Thanks

JC-jetro · Mar 8, 2009

Sportplumber said:
I have a chance to buy a NH 1630, 1998 with 800 hours 7308 FEL, 4wd hydrostatic for $8000.00. I have a 1700 with 65 hrs on a rebuilt engine. 2200 total hours. Great little tractor. I am a little worried about parts for the 1700 as it gets older and power steering would be nice.

Don't do much FEL work I just drag a riding arena mostly. Still that's a 20 year newer machine.

Should I go for it?

Thanks

Welcome to TBN Blue,

The price sounds about right for 1630 with all the trimmings, but if all you do is dragging an arena 1700 should be a frugal alternative. If the rebuilt job is done well then you have have a almost "brand new" old tractor. Other than internal engine related issues related to lubrication and heat rejection and the consumeable can not see how you can kill a 1700.

Sportplumber · Mar 8, 2009

Thanks for the welcome. This is a great site.

I spent about 2 hours on the 1700 today and have to say it is a pretty sweet little guy. I didn't even notice the lack of power steering and I was doing some loader work adding sand from the pile to the thin spots in the arena.

I have never driven a newer or hydrostatic tractor so maybe I don't know what I'm missing. I will have to test drive the 1630 just because. I do seem to feel the 1700 has more "character" than the newer ones.

Your mention of "heat rejection" makes me curious if there is something I should be cautious about. I am not sure what the term means.

Thanks

JC-jetro · Mar 8, 2009

Sportplumber said:
Your mention of "heat rejection" makes me curious if there is something I should be cautious about. I am not sure what the term means.

Thanks

There are two things that cause permanent damage to the engine in a short time. one is lack of engine lubrication due to variety of reasons, such as low oil level, wrong oil, clogged filter and stuff like that. The second important thing is rejection of engine heat from the jacket that includes radiator, water pump, coolant level, hoses, gage and stuff like that. The point I was trying to make is that 1700 is built pretty well and under normal working condition as long as you have adequate lubrication and good engine heat rejection then the newly overhauled engine should last for quite a long time.

JC,

Soundguy · Mar 9, 2009

Just saw a 1630 go for 4500$ her from a local dealer selling it.. no laoder.. just tractor with turfs.. etc.

for dragging an areena.. I'd keep the rebuilt paid for 1700!

soundguy

Sportplumber · Mar 11, 2009

Yeah but what fun would that be? That 1630 has all sorts of knobs. That has got to be good, right?

OK, maybe not. The 1700 seems simpler to operate and maintain. But I keep watching my neighbor with his hydrostatic JD go back and forth like a ballet while I fumble around with the stickshift.

I guess you just need lots of tractors. One for Monday...

Thanks,

JC-jetro · Mar 12, 2009

Sportplumber said:
Yeah but what fun would that be? That 1630 has all sorts of knobs. That has got to be good, right? But I keep watching my neighbor with his hydrostatic JD go back and forth like a ballet while I fumble around with the stickshift.

Thanks,

Could not disagree with your statement, but do you go back and forth when you drag? most drags work in tension only as the name implies so you'll be pulling going forward only.

JC,