Go BottomLooking at a Ford 1210
 | dariusriley
Join Date: Posts: 1 
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2002-12-14 46119
I looked at a Ford 1210 today and need some feedback on my findings.
1)black smoke under load and high RPM. Starts right up and runs strong. It has been sitting a while. The air filter is new.
2) Pushes radiator fluid out the overflow.
3) Engine has what seems lik a slight knock at idle. Not being a diesel guy I am not sure if this is just the Diesel sound or not.
4) 4x4 did not work. Turns out the ujoint had come off but we did not see any way to keep it on (spring clips etc).
Any advice would be appreceiated.
This is a 950 hour unit, HST, front blade and a semi-functional belly mower (may be missing some of the hookups to the rear pto). They are asking $3000.
Any thought? Thanks.
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 | marklugo
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 281 Tifton, GA
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2002-12-14 46131
Stay away unless you have another $3000 to burn. This tractor is exhibiting classic signs of blown head gaskets or worse, a cracked head. Also if the U-joint has come disconnected, you might have something binding in the front wheel drive section. ....
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| larry
Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 0 St.Davids
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2002-12-14 46132
abused very abused ....
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| TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley 
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2002-12-15 46136
Dang, I don't know! On the surface it certainly sounds like something to avoid. There probably are some older utility tractors around in that price range that might be a better alternative depending on the intended use of a tractor.
The trouble with this sort of thing is that the description seems consistent with head gasket problems or cracks. However, a combination of bad or old oil and fuel plus a weak rad cap and maybe throw in off valve clearances for good measure could produce the same symptoms.
If you like the tractor and want to pursue the deal, the first thing I'd do is price some alternatives, then I'd get the 1210 owner to change the fuel, oil and rad cap (or pressure test it) and then run an additive (eg. Marvel's Mystery Oil or something like that) in it for awhile and see if that clears up the engine problems. If the owner balks, I'd walk. It's really in the seller's interest to offer a decent running tractor.
The u-joint thing bears checking. On 1210's it should be covered by the drive shaft pipe, although there is a removable section for access that is secured by a couple of clamps. As near as I can figure, the joint sits between the ends of two splined shafts. There appears to be a snap ring on each shaft end. I reason that the rings keep the joint centred on the shafts. If a snap ring was off the joint probably could slide up one shaft and disconnect from the other. I imagine that's how the joints are removed and replaced. If both snap rings are in place, about the only way for the joint to disconnect is for the front axle to move forward. That would be a fairly serious problem (that was discussed here awhile back).
Even if a snap ring is missing, there's the question of why. It's the sort of thing that shouldn't receive a lot of thrust in ordinary operation and you wouldn't expect them to fail. Somebody knowledgeable probably should check the front drive, but the owner should be happy to fix a snap ring problem. The owner also should be happy to do the oil/fuel change etc. thing. The alternative probably is to sell the tractor for salvage, and I don't think that would bring $3000.
....
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| sodman
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2002-12-15 46143
i had one in the 80's.put around 2000 hours on it before the trade to the kubota.should have kept the 1201.anyway,that tractor always had a heat problem.open the hood and let it warm up.if it still belches there could be an interal problem.the reason they get hot is because on air flow.i can't touch on the u joint problem.chan the fuel and fuel filter and fuel to see if that helps the smoke.i got a 1530 and a new zd 28.the both smoke a bit under a load.i used to run phillips 66 diesel and switched to amoco on account of the smoking problem.that tractor always rattled at low rpm.i remember the long throttle lever shakin'like it was gonna fall off.when you would open it up she'd smooth out.the mower (if it's a ford)runs off the front of the engine.it has an electric pto.there should be a big toggle switch under the steering wheel.good luck. ....
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| dariusriley
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2002-12-16 46186
Thanks for all the info. I am passing on the unit for now. He may take it to the delaer for a once over, but I am looking for a good cheap tractor not a project.
Thanks for all the advice. ....
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