Just got Ford 1720, have a few questions...

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Hello to all...

After getting 4 horses and renting a barn and around 20 acres of fenced pasture, we knew we needed a tractor. Father-in-law had one that he had picked up a couple of years ago and never used, so we bought it from him. It's a Ford 1720 2WD. Can anyone tell me what years this tractor was made and if there's a way to determine the exact year of manufacture? Also wondering about the value. I got the tractor, a bush hog, box blade, and auger attachment for $5000. Hour meter shows 1361. Runs great and looks good except for the cowling, which has some dents. How expensive would it be to replace the cowling, and are there good online sites that sell parts and implements for this tractor that you can recommend?

Many thanks for taking the time to read my questions and double-thanks in advance for any answers.

Jerry

-- Jerry Hatchett (temp@jerryhatchett.com), December 23, 2001

Answers

We have a 1710 which is one size smaller than yours and it too is 2wd. I bought it used in 1987 never had any problem except for the water pump have changed it twice. They will do great as a bushogger and will do light plowing. Really like ours when we have to replace it (a long time away) we will be getting about the same size except with 4wd and a front end loader bucket. You can't use these on a two wheel drive. For two reasons one hard to stear with a bucket on the front. and the front end is not heavy enough to stand up to the weight. As for the dents in the cowling, personally it is a tool and as such it gets dents. I take care of mine, change the oil on time, check the antifreeze and water, only use good clean fuel, keep it sheltered but I don't worry when it gets a dent. I buy the parts at the ford tractor dealer, they are expensive but so far not needed much and have had it for 15 years, went through a lot of cars and trucks in that time. You got a good one enjoy.

-- David (bluewaterfarm@mindspring.com), December 23, 2001.

Thanks much, David. I don't think we'll be needing a front loader so no big shortcoming there for us. The main thing we'll be doing with it is keeping the grass cut and maybe some light landscape grooming right around the barn.

I have a lot to learn. I'm fortunately very mechanically inclined but have never driven a tractor in my life.

Jerry

-- Jerry Hatchett (temp@jerryhatchett.com), December 23, 2001.


The 1720 was built from 1987-96. It's 23.5 pto horsepower. You can find it's exact age by locating it's serial number & looking it up.My book suggests that in 1999 the average auction price of the 2wd model was $10,000. so you got a deal. I wouldn't worry about a few dents either, sheetmetal is spendy & gets dented again...

By the way, the 1710 is the same thing, earlier model built from 1983-89.

--->Paul

-- paul (ramblerplm@hotmail.com), December 24, 2001.


My farm equipment price guide disagrees a bit with Paul's. 1720 2WD manufactored from 87-95. Serial numbers being with a U. Send me the number and I'll give you the year. Advertised price (price guide is three years old) range from $7,116 to $10,402. Average auction prices run from a low of $5,573 to a high of $6,108 with $5,810 being the average. Thus, sounds like you did get a good deal with the extra equipment. For parts, just do an internet search on Ford Tractor Parts.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), December 24, 2001.

Quality Farm & Fleet has a Catalog with the parts in it. Phone is 1-888-828-3276 and they will send you one. I think you can put a light loader on the tractor and use some common since. Ihave a Massy 245 2WD with a Kelley loader and I have had to repair the loader some but the tractor has done a great job with no problems.

-- Mel Kelly (melkelly@webtv.net), December 24, 2001.


MANY THANKS to all who responded. Very glad I stumbled upon this active group. Gonna bookmark it right away. Ken, I'll sure take you up on the offer of looking up the year for me; will get the S.N. tonight.

Jerry

-- Jerry Hatchett (temp@jerryhatchett.com), December 24, 2001.


You can get parts from New Holland Tractor, you can find them on line. Filters will be cheaper if you get them from Napa

-- hendo (redgate@echoweb.net), December 24, 2001.

Can anyone tell me where to look for the serial number on this tractor? Ken has graciously offered to look up the manufacture year for me but thus far I've been unable to find the dang serial number.

Thanks...

-- Jerry Hatchett (temp@jerryhatchett.com), December 24, 2001.


Never mind. Found the serial number on the left side of the tranny housing. :)

-- Jerry Hatchett (temp@jerryhatchett.com), December 24, 2001.

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