Rototilling with Ford 1700 Tractor

Rototilling a pumpkin patch and potato plot with the Ford 1700 tractor and Agric AL55 3-point rototiller

[@andrewseamans1419]

Saw a nice used for 1700 yesterday. They seem like a great value for a homesteader. No fancy electronics.

[@ProductiveRecreation]

The 1700 is a great tractor for the right person. It has some great features, but also some significant pitfalls.

[@tecolotegto]

​@@ProductiveRecreation what kind of pitfalls?

[@ProductiveRecreation]

@@tecolotegto Primarily parts availability and parts pricing. Many parts are no longer available (such as for my steering box, which I ended up having to replace with hydrostatic power - the steering is a weakness, particularly if the tractor has a loader). The machine is obsolete. New Holland is no longer partnered with Shibaura (who built the Ford compacts), and now has a relationship with LS instead. In 1982, it was a top notch tractor. Still competes with or exceeds most modern 25hp tractors… strong and heavy… but if it breaks down you gotta be ready to scavenge tractor junkyards for anything no longer available from New Holland.

[@robertelee6712]

There is only one part that is hard to find for the 1700. It's the head. I just restored a 1980 ford 1700 4wd. The rest you can still purchase from places like Yesterday's tractor or compact tractor.

[@ProductiveRecreation]

@@robertelee6712 You were fortunate. There are variations in the 1700. Mine had power assisted recirculating ball steering, which had excessive wear and free play. I tried for months to find parts for that, new or used. Couldn’t be had. That steering box had a different pitman arm and everything from the manual steering box. I ended up converting to hydrostatic power steering. I just had to get a king pin dust seal retainer plate that could only be found used after a search. And the king pin dust seal I just ordered was awful pricey for a rubber gasket and felt ring. It’s a good tractor, but you can’t just call a dealer or parts retailer and expect to find any part you want or need.

[@robertelee6712]

I just did a complete restoration on a Ford 1700 4wd.

[@drthunder481]

Need ya a set of plows

[@ProductiveRecreation]

Dug out a single bottom last spring and used it before rototilling. Worked great to break things up.

[@donstiehr3450]

I enjoy the videos regarding the 1700. I have questions about the 1700 as I have one myself. Is there a way to contact you to ask those questions? Thank you DS

[@ProductiveRecreation]

Post them in a comment and I can reply publicly, so that the response can potentially benefit others too.

[@jdecker1219]

Yes sir, I've got to get me one like that!!!

[@jdecker1219]

Anyone selling turf tires & rims for an 86 1710 please reply

[@ProductiveRecreation]

How come you want turf tires?They wouldn’t work for me where I use my my tractor in the dirt and the woods. Long Lane Tractor in PA may be able to help. They have some dismantled Fords for parts. I’ve gotten used parts there. Unfortunately turf tires on these machines weren’t as common as R1 ag tires.

[@jdecker1219]

I use mine around my house pulling logs, snow removal, moving dirt, but I do need to go across my lawn getting from A to B my ag wheels chew up the grass so bad I'm just looking for another set to change if needed. I'd love to find a tiller like yours that is nice. I could do my 30x60 garden in a few passed Vs the walk behind brut I have which takes most of a day not to mention the physical abuse it gives ya. PA isn't that far from me I'm in upstate NY near the Adirondacks little over a 4 hr ride. But thanks bud I'll definitely look them up to see what they have maybe I'll grab a backhoe attachment for her.