Ford issued publication 42120010 as the factory operator book for its 1200 four wheel drive diesel tractors, and this 52 page Ford 1200 operator manual PDF reproduces that original document. Lubrication and maintenance takes up more than a third of the book, running from the four wheel drive service chart through fuel and lubricant procedures to winter storage. You also get the full controls and instruments rundown, transmission and PTO operation, differential lock use, wheel tread settings, tire pressures, and the predelivery and 50 hour service checks. Set intake and exhaust valves to 0.012 in., and hold steering wheel free play inside the 20 to 35 mm limit before you condemn the steering box. A guessed torque figure cracks copper sealing washers. Bookmarked and text searchable, the PDF also lists the fluid specs to buy right the first time, so your tractor is running before the weather closes the window.
What's Inside This Ford 1200 Operator Manual
| System | Pages | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| International Symbols | 6 | Engine Speed, Engine Oil Pressure, Power Take-Off, Differential Lock, Rock Shaft, Remote Cylinder |
| Safety Precautions | 7 | Tractor Operation, Servicing, Driving, PTO Operation |
| Controls and Instruments | 8-12 | Seat, Light and Engine Controls, Lighting, Instrument Panel, Throttle Controls, Brake Controls, Differential Control, Transmission and PTO Controls |
| Operation | 13-20 | Break-In Procedures, Starting the Engine, Stopping the Engine, Operating the Transmission, Four-Wheel Drive and PTO, Towing the Tractor, Operating the Differential Lock |
| Lubrication and Maintenance | 21-40 | Lubrication and Maintenance Chart Four-Wheel Drive, Fuel and Lubricants, Fuel and Lubricant Service Procedures, Tractor Storage |
| Specifications | 41-43 | Engine, Cooling System, Electrical System, Fuel System, Hydraulic Lift System, Steering |
| Safety and Instruction Decals | 44-46 | Caution Decal, Warning Decal, Starter Switch, Hand Throttle Lever, PTO Control Lever, Hydraulic Lift Control Lever |
| Predelivery and 50-Hour Service | 47-52 | Inoperative Service Checks, Operative Service Checks, Performance Service Checks |
Quick Reference Specifications
| Specification | Value | Page |
|---|---|---|
| Steering wheel free play | 0.78-1.38 in. (20-35 mm) | p. 41 |
| Fuel injector retaining nut torque | 43-51 lbs. ft. (58-69 Nm) | p. 30 |
| Fuel injection pump line fitting torque | 18-22 lbs. ft. (24-30 Nm) | p. 30 |
| Valve Clearance (Intake) | 0.012 in. | p. 41 |
| Valve Clearance (Exhaust) | 0.012 in. | p. 41 |
| Front Wheel Disc-to-Hub Torque | 43-54 lbs. ft. | p. 42 |
| Rear Wheel Disc-to-Axle Torque | 69-87 lbs. ft. | p. 42 |
| Standard PTO Speed | 540 ± 10 rpm | p. 15 |
| Maximum PTO Engine Speed | 2605 rpm | p. 15 |
| Engine Oil Change Interval | 100 hours | p. 24 |
| Engine Oil Filter Change Interval | 200 hours | p. 24 |
| Transmission/Rear Axle Oil Change Interval | 300 hours | p. 27 |
Ford 1200 Common Problems This Manual Covers
Ford 1200 PTO equipment runs rough and PTO speed seems off at full throttle
Check engine speed on the Proof-Meter: the standard PTO speed is 540 ± 10 rpm, obtained when engine rpm is set at 2605 rpm, as indicated by the PTO symbol on the Proof-Meter rpm scale (page 15). Set the hand throttle there and do not exceed 2605 rpm when operating PTO equipment. If it still runs rough, check that the driven shaft is properly aligned and locked to the tractor PTO drive shaft.
Manual Section: Operation p. 15Engine cranks slowly with a grinding noise in cold weather, then quits
Check the battery first: top the electrolyte to the ring, clean both terminals to bright metal, and make sure the ground strap is tight. Follow the cold weather starting procedure on page 13. Verify the crankcase oil is not past its 100 hour change interval from page 24; thick dirty oil drags a cold engine hard.
Manual Section: Engine Starting Troubleshooting p. 13Tractor dies in the field and won't restart after refueling an empty tank
The tractor has run out of fuel, so the system needs bleeding per page 25. Be sure there is adequate fuel in the tank and open the fuel shut-off valve. Open the bleed screws at the top of the fuel filter and let the air bubbles escape while cranking the engine, then tighten them. Open the bleed cock, crank until the bubbles stop, and close it. Push the hand throttle to the high speed position and turn the engine over for a few seconds to bleed the high pressure fuel tube. If it still will not start, loosen the fuel lines at each injector while cranking, then tighten them after bleeding.
Manual Section: Fuel System Bleeding p. 25Three-point hitch lifts slowly or won't hold the implement after hours of work
Check the oil level in the rear center housing with the hitch lowered; the transmission and hydraulic system share this sump, and a low reading starves the pump. Top up with the fluid listed in the chart on page 21, then change the oil every 300 hours and the hydraulic filter every 600 hours per page 27.
Manual Section: Lubrication and Maintenance p. 27Steering wheel feels loose with too much play before the front wheels respond
Measure free play at the steering wheel rim before the front wheels move; the specification on page 41 is 0.78-1.38 in. (20-35 mm). If play runs past that, adjust the gear box per the Steering Wheel Free Play Adjustment procedure. Check the tie rod ends and front wheel bearings too; loose ones mimic worm shaft wear.
Manual Section: Steering Wheel Free Play Adjustment p. 41Frequently Asked Questions
What are the torque specifications for the Ford 1200 wheel bolts?
For the front wheel disc-to-hub bolts, the torque specification is 43-54 lbs. ft. (58-73 Nm). For the rear wheel disc-to-axle bolts, the torque specification is 137-159 lbs. ft. (186-215 Nm). p. 42
How do I identify a Ford 1200 tractor by its serial number?
A vehicle identification plate is located on the left-hand side of the transmission housing. This plate contains the model, serial number, and engine number, which are important for future service. p. 3
What are the valve clearance specifications for the Ford 1200 engine?
The valve clearance for both the intake and exhaust valves should be 0.012 inches (0.30 mm) when the engine is cold. p. 31
What is the recommended engine oil capacity for the Ford 1200 with a filter change?
When performing an engine oil change that includes the filter, the capacity is 3.8 U.S. quarts (3.2 Imperial quarts or 3.6 liters). p. 41
How often should the engine oil and filter be changed on the Ford 1200?
The engine oil should be changed every 100 hours, and the engine oil filter should be changed every 200 hours under normal operating conditions. p. 24
How quickly can I access this Ford 1200 manual after buying?
A 52-page Operator Manual in searchable PDF format, available the moment you complete checkout. View on computer, tablet, or phone, with no shipping wait.
Can I print this Ford 1200 manual?
Yes. Print individual pages or full chapters for your own shop use, on letter or A4 paper.
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