When the hydrostatic pedal on a Ford 1520 goes soft halfway through mowing season, the fix usually starts with the charge filter, and this operator manual tells you exactly when to change it. Ford wrote it for the 1520 compact tractor (publication 42152010), and it walks through every control on the machine: throttle, range and shuttle levers, PTO engagement, differential lock, and the hydraulic lift system.
Across 72 pages it covers break-in, starting, four-wheel drive and PTO operation, wheel tread settings, ballast and tire pressures, then a full lubrication and maintenance schedule with separate charts for two-wheel and four-wheel drive tractors, and a specifications section for the engine, fuel, cooling, and electrical systems.
Because it is a PDF, it rides along on your phone in the cab or on the shop bench. When hay is down and the dealer is an hour away, the answer is already in your pocket.
What's Inside This Ford 1520 Manual
| System | Pages | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| International Symbols | 5 | Engine Speed, Hours Recorded, Engine Water Temperature, Air Filter, Engine Oil Pressure, Hazard Warning |
| Safety Precautions | 6-7 | The Tractor |
| Controls and Instruments | 8-15 | Seat, Seat Belt and ROPS, Lighting, Instrument Panel, Throttle Controls, Brake Controls, Differential Control, Mechanical Transmission and PTO Controls |
| Operation | 16-30 | 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 | 31-54 | Lubrication and Maintenance Chart (Two-Wheel Drive, Four-Wheel Drive), Fuel and Lubricants, Fuel and Lubricant Service Procedures, Tractor Storage |
| Specifications | 55-56 | Engine, Capacities, Cooling System, Electrical System, Fuel System, Hydraulic Lift System |
| Safety Decals | 57-58 | Pull From Drawbar, Starting and Operating, Jump Start, Danger Explosive Acid Poison |
| Instruction Decals | 59-66 | Range Selector Lever, Speed Set Control, p.t.o. Control Lever, Four-Wheel Drive Control Lever, Differential Lock, Hydraulic Manifold Operation |
| Predelivery and 50-Hour Service | 67-72 | Inoperative Service Checks, Safety Items Checks, Operative Service Checks, Performance Service Checks |
Quick Reference Specifications
| Specification | Value | Page |
|---|---|---|
| wheel disc to hub bolts torque | 43-54 lbs.ft. (58-73 N.m) | p. 26 |
| side axle adjusting bolts torque | 177-199 lbs.ft. (240-270 N.m) | p. 26 |
| H.S.T. System Oil Filter change interval | every 300 hours | p. 39 |
| Hydraulic system oil filter tightening | 3/4 of a turn by hand | p. 39 |
| Engine Oil Change Interval | 100 hours | p. 36 |
| Engine Oil Filter Change Interval | 200 hours | p. 36 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 27 Liters | p. 56 |
| Engine Crankcase Oil Capacity (with filter) | 4.5 Liters | p. 56 |
| Transmission/Rear Axle Oil Capacity | 22 Liters | p. 56 |
| Fan Belt Deflection | 10-15 mm | p. 43 |
| Brake Pedal Free-Travel | 19-30 mm | p. 50 |
| Clutch Pedal Free-Travel | 19-30 mm | p. 50 |
Ford 1520 Common Problems This Manual Covers
Hydrostatic drive feels weak or jerky
A tired hydrostatic charge filter starves the drive and shows up first on hills or under load. The maintenance schedule sets the H.S.T. system oil filter change at every 300 hours and describes the fuel and lubricant service procedures step by step.
Manual Section: Lubrication and Maintenance p. 41PTO will not engage cleanly
A mower or tiller that shudders on engagement is often an operator lever position or linkage issue rather than a failed clutch. The manual explains the mechanical transmission and PTO controls so you can rule out procedure before pulling parts.
Manual Section: Controls and Instruments p. 13Engine cranks but starts hard
Cold mornings expose sloppy starting habits on a small diesel. The starting and stopping procedures, along with break-in guidance, show the correct throttle and control sequence to get the 1520 lit without grinding the starter flat.
Manual Section: Operation p. 16Brake or clutch pedal travels too far
Pedals that sink before anything happens mean the free travel has drifted out of range. The manual specifies 19 to 30 mm of free travel for both brake and clutch pedals and covers the adjustment in its general maintenance procedures.
Manual Section: Lubrication and Maintenance p. 51Engine runs hot under heavy load
A loose fan belt slips exactly when the tractor is working hardest. The maintenance section gives the 10 to 15 mm belt deflection spec plus the cooling system service steps to keep the temperature gauge out of the red.
Manual Section: Lubrication and Maintenance p. 43Wheels loosen after changing tread settings
Resetting wheel tread for row work and skipping the torque check is how studs get ruined. The operation section covers tread settings and lists wheel disc to hub bolt torque at 43 to 54 lbs. ft. (58 to 73 N.m).
Manual Section: Operation p. 26Front tires wearing unevenly
Feathered front tires on a loader-equipped tractor usually trace back to toe-in. The manual's front axle procedure calls for zero to 5 mm of toe-in and shows how to measure and set it.
Manual Section: Lubrication and Maintenance p. 50Frequently Asked Questions
Does this manual cover the hydrostatic transmission Ford 1520?
Yes. The Controls and Instruments section covers both the mechanical range and shuttle controls and the hydrostatic transmission controls, along with the PTO levers, differential lock, and hydraulic lift system controls. p. 13
What service intervals does the manual give?
The Lubrication and Maintenance section lists engine oil changes at 100 hours, engine oil filter at 200 hours, and the H.S.T. system oil filter at 300 hours, with separate maintenance charts for two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive tractors. p. 31
Are fluid capacities and specifications included?
Yes. The Specifications section lists engine, cooling, electrical, fuel, and hydraulic lift system data, including a 27 liter fuel tank, 4.5 liters of engine oil with a filter change, and 22 liters for the transmission and rear axle. p. 56
Is this a full repair manual or an operator manual?
It is the 72-page Ford operator manual, publication 42152010. It covers operation, lubrication, maintenance, and owner-level adjustments such as pedal free travel, fan belt tension, and toe-in, but not engine or transmission teardown procedures.
Is this Ford 1520 manual a PDF I download?
Instant PDF download. You get the full 72-page searchable Operator Manual immediately after payment. Open it on your laptop, tablet, or phone right in the shop.
Can I print just the pages I need from this Ford 1520 manual?
Absolutely. No DRM or copy protection. Print the whole manual or just the pages you need. Any home or office printer works.
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