How Capable is the Ford 1200?

FarmSJ

New User
Hey Everybody,

I'm eyeing a Ford 1200 at the moment. I've gone over all the specs I can find on them and looked at quite a few videos demonstrating them doing work. After all that, I'm still wondering how capable they are. For the foreseeable future I'd be looking to use it for a backyard garden. Nothing really big, just a suburban backyard. In the future its duties might grow, but that's a ways down the road still.

I'd like to be able to use this tractor to handle plowing primarily. If I ever found a loader for it I could see adding one, but that's not a priority for me. So is the Ford 1200 capable of handling smaller plows? Maybe a small disc harrow, single bottom plow, or middle buster? I don't necessarily expect it to break new ground, I can do that with the tiller I already have and then come back through with the tractor. I know it's a 4wd tractor, which is a plus, I just don't know if weight or power are issues. I'm not against weighting it if that would help.

Storage space and maneuverability in the yard are the two big reasons I'm looking for a smaller tractor right now. When I was growing up we had a 2N. One day I'll have the room to get back into one of those, but for now I'm a bit limited.

I appreciate any input and hopefully experiences anyone may have had with a 1200.

-Ryan
 

They are very capable as a lawn ornament or blowing a big hole in your bank account when it needs parts.
 

yeah.. its basically an overpriced lawnmower. If you want a lawnmower that has very very expensive parts, your good.

If you want a tractor, you can do a whole lot better, probably for same or less money.
 

The tiller I've got covered. Came across one sitting at the curb a few months back with two flat tires and a free sign taped to it. Had to strap one of the tires to get it to take air, but they both hold and it started up third pull with the gas that was in it. Put $25 in it for a plug, oil, and air filter and it's happy. Can't beat that kind of deal.

Consensus seems to be to pass on the 1200. The one I was looking at is priced lower than most of what I've seen around that size, but if it isn't going to do what I want then I'll save my money and eventually look for a bigger toy.

Thanks all for the input!
-Ryan
 
The one I was looking at isn't as clean as that one. It has some rust and doesn't include any mower or deck, but it's also half the price of the one linked above.

-Ryan
 
They are a model 1100 chassis with a model 1300 engine,, aka more power in a smaller pkg, the Ford dealer I worked at in the 70's sold a couple to local Gov entity's for snow removal and light work,, they were great units in the day,, we sold a pile of those smaller Fords, lots of 1500,1700,1900's then later the "10" series,, never had one back tot he shop for warranty work or repairs other than a service,, now some 40 years later when they have been abused and beat up I cant say,, but then they were ever bit as good as a Kubota, it is the size of a bigger garden tractor of the day, all we sold had 4x4, no live pto or power steering in a 1200 that we sold,, but for sure live hyd and plenty of gears for any job, with a rear snow blower and loader they would clean about any snow mother nature threw at us here for parking lots and side walks,,
 

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