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Ford 1215 Tractor Specifications

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Complete specifications for the Ford 1215 compact tractor, transcribed from the specifications section of the factory operator's manual (42121510). Built from 1993 to 1998 by Shibaura in Japan as part of Ford's Fifteen Compact Series, the 1215 is the smaller partner to the 1715: a three-cylinder diesel with 13.5 observed PTO horsepower, sold with either a 6 × 2 gear transmission or a two-range hydrostatic drive, in two-wheel or four-wheel drive. The figures below separate the drivelines and transmissions where the manual does.

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Engine

Type Diesel
Number of Cylinders 3
Bore 2.95 in. (7.5 cm)1
Stroke 2.83 in. (7.2 cm)1
Displacement 58.2 cu. in. (954 cc)1
Compression Ratio 23 : 1
Firing Order 1-2-3
Low Idle Speed 800–900 rpm
Maximum Speed — High Idle 2650–2700 rpm
Maximum Speed — Rated 2500 rpm
Valve Clearance (Cold) — Intake 0.008 in. (0.20 mm)
Valve Clearance (Cold) — Exhaust 0.008 in. (0.20 mm)

Capacities

Component U.S. Imperial Metric
Fuel Tank 4.8 gals. 4.0 gals. 18 liters
Cooling System 3.7 qts. 3.1 qts. 3.5 liters
Engine Crankcase — Less Filter 3.2 qts. 2.6 qts. 3.0 liters
Engine Crankcase — With Filter Change 3.5 qts. 2.9 qts. 3.3 liters
Rear Axle and Transmission (includes hydraulics) 16.9 qts. 14.1 qts. 16 liters
Front Axle Final Reduction and Differential Gear Case 1.9 qts. 1.6 qts. 1.8 liters

Cooling System

Type Pressurized liquid with recirculating bypass
Water Pump — Type Centrifugal
Water Pump — Drive V-belt
Water Pump Belt Deflection 7/16 to 9/16 (10–15 mm) when 20–25 lbs. (9–11 kg) thumb force is applied midway between pulleys2
Fan Diameter 13.19 in. (33.5 cm)
Thermostat — Start to Open 160°F (71°C)
Thermostat — Fully Open 185°F (85°C)
Radiator Cap 13 psi (0.9 bar)

Electrical System

Alternator 12-volt, heavy duty, 15 amps
Regulator Mechanical
Battery 12-volt, 60 amp. hour rating with negative ground
Starting Motor Reduction, magnet shift

Fuel System

Fuel Temperature Type
Diesel Above 20°F (−6.7°C) No. 2D, cetane rating min. 40
Diesel Below 20°F (−6.7°C) No. 1D, cetane rating min. 40
Injection Pump — Type In-line
Injection Pump — Timing 23° BTDC

Clutch

Type 7.25 in. (18.4 cm) dry disc, organic face
Pedal Free-Travel 3/4–1-3/16 in. (19–30 mm)

Brakes

Type Wet disc
Disc Diameter 5.39 in. (13.7 cm)3

Steering

Type Manual
Turns Lock-to-Lock 3.5
Front Wheel Toe-In 0.78–1.38 in. (20–35 mm) and 0–13/64 in. (0–5 mm), both printed4
Turning Radius (without brake) — Two Wheel Drive 8.69 ft. (265 cm)
Turning Radius (without brake) — Four Wheel Drive 9.38 ft. (286 cm)

Power Take-Off

Type Transmission
Shaft 1-3/8 in. (3.49 cm), 6 spline SAE STD
Engine Speed for 540 rpm PTO — Gear Transmission 2385 rpm5
Engine Speed for 540 rpm PTO — Hydrostatic Transmission 2300 rpm5
Horsepower PTO — Observed (6 × 2 Transmission) 13.5
Horsepower PTO — Observed (HST) 13.5

Hydraulic Lift System

Type Live, Category 1 three-point linkage
Pump Type Gear
Pump Capacity 4.65 U.S. gpm (3.87 Imp. gpm, 17.6 liters per minute) at 1849 psi (130 bar) at 2500 rpm6
System Relief Valve Setting 1849 psi (130 bar)6

Tires

Position Two Wheel Drive Four Wheel Drive
Front — Standard (AG) 4.00-12, F2, 4 ply 5-12, R1, 4 ply
Front — Optional (Turf) 20 × 8.00-10, R3, 4 ply — Two & Four Wheel Drive
Rear — Standard (AG) 8-16, R1, 4 ply — Two & Four Wheel Drive
Rear — Optional (Turf) 29 × 12.00-15, R3, 4 ply — Two & Four Wheel Drive

Wheel & ROPS Bolt Torques

Front Wheel — Disc-to-Hub 43–54 lbs. ft. (58–73 N·m)7
Front Axle — Side Axle Adjusting Bolts 137–159 lbs. ft. (186–215 N·m)7
Front Axle — Tie Rod Setting Bolts 31–41 lbs. ft. (42–55 N·m)7
Rear Wheel Bolts 69–87 lbs. ft. (93–117 N·m)7
ROPS to Axle (M12) 55 lbs. ft. (74 N·m)
Seat Belt (M10) 37 lbs. ft. (50 N·m)

Cast Iron Weights

(3) Front End Weights 33 lbs. (15 kg) each
(4) Rear Wheel Weights 37 lbs. (17 kg) each

Draw Bars

Fixed Type Standard

Lubricants

Tractor Component Lubricant Recommendation Ford Part No.
Engine Oil FNH Super Premium 1QM-2C 121-AMV (case, 24 qts. 15W-40); 1QM-2C 121-A10 (case, 24 qts. SAE 10W); 1QM-2C 121-A30 (case, 24 qts. SAE 30W)
Transmission, Rear Axle and Hydraulic System Oil (mechanical and hydrostatic transmission) FNH 1348 1GM-134C (1 gal.); 5GM-134C (5 gal.)
Front Wheel Bearings and Lubrication Fittings M1C-137-B 1TM-1C-137-B (1 tube)
Front Axle FNH 134 1GM-134C (1 gal.); EOAZ-19580-E (5 gal.)

The manual notes that if the recommended engine oil is not readily available, a commercial oil may be used as shown on its page 30, and that engine crankcase oil drain intervals should be adjusted downward when diesel fuel sulfur content is over 0.5%.

General Dimensions

Dimension Two Wheel Drive Four Wheel Drive
Length 106.3 in. (270 cm) — Two & Four Wheel Drive
Wheelbase 55.3 in. (140.5 cm) — Two & Four Wheel Drive
Height — Top of Steering Wheel 50.0 in. (127.0 cm) 49.8 in. (126.5 cm)
Height — Top of ROPS 80.3 in. (204.0 cm) — Two & Four Wheel Drive
Width 40.9 in. (104.0 cm) — Two & Four Wheel Drive
Minimum Ground Clearance 10.1 in. (25.7 cm) 9.6 in. (24.4 cm)
Adjustable Wheel Tread — Front 33.7–35.4 in. (85.5–90 cm) 32.3 in. (82 cm)9
Adjustable Wheel Tread — Rear 33.5–39.4 in. (85–100 cm) — Two & Four Wheel Drive
Weight with ROPS — Gear Transmission 1292 lbs. (586 kg) 1360 lbs. (617 kg)
Weight with ROPS — H.S.T. 1367 lbs. (620 kg) 1455 lbs. (660 kg)

Ground Speeds

From 1250–2500 rpm engine speed with 8 × 16 rear tires.10

Gear Position At 1250 rpm (mph) At 2500 rpm (mph)
Forward — 6 × 2 Gear Transmission
1st (L range) 0.5 1.1
2nd (L range) 1.0 1.9
3rd (L range) 1.3 2.7
4th (H range, 1st) 1.9 3.7
5th (H range, 2nd) 3.4 6.7
6th (H range, 3rd) 4.9 9.4
Reverse — 6 × 2 Gear Transmission
R1 (L range) 1.0 2.0
R2 (H range) 3.4 6.9
HST Low Range — Forward / Reverse 0–3.7 mph / 0–2.3 mph
HST High Range — Forward / Reverse 0–9.6 mph / 0–6.0 mph

Notes:
1 The bore, stroke and displacement printed in the 1215 manual are the same figures the Ford 1220 manual gives. TractorData lists the 1215 with a Shibaura S723 engine of 72 × 72 mm (2.83 × 2.83 in.) and 53.6 cu. in. (0.9 L), and the ID plate illustration in this manual shows an S723 engine number. The manual's figures are transcribed as printed. Check your own engine before ordering pistons, rings or gaskets.
2 The belt deflection is printed as “7/16 to 9/16 (10-15 mm)” with no unit on the first figure. 10–15 mm is about 0.39–0.59 in., consistent with inches. Transcribed as printed.
3 Printed under “Brakes” as “5.39 in. Diameter (13.7 cm)” with no label of its own. It is shown here as the disc diameter.
4 The specifications page prints two “Front Wheel Toe-In” lines with no label to tell them apart. The toe-in check in the maintenance section (page 43) gives zero to 13/64 in. (0–5 mm), so that is the figure the manual works to.
5 These are the figures on the specifications page and in the Proof-Meter description. The Power Take-Off section (page 16) says 540 rpm is obtained at 2307 rpm engine speed, then warns not to exceed 2385 rpm, or 2300 rpm with H.S.T.
6 1849 psi is about 127.5 bar, and 130 bar is about 1885 psi. Both figures are printed together and are transcribed as printed.
7 Wheel and front axle bolt torques are from the wheel tread settings section (pages 20–21), not the specifications pages.
8 On the printed page the mechanical transmission line has no lubricant of its own, and FNH 134 is printed against the hydrostatic transmission line directly below it. The table's layout suggests it covers both. The maintenance section uses the same oil for the transmission, rear axle and hydraulics.
9 The four-wheel drive front tread is a single setting. The operation section (page 20) explains that the four-wheel drive front wheels must not be reversed to widen the tread. With turf tires the manual gives 36.0 in. (91.5 cm) on two-wheel drive and 36.6 in. (93 cm) on four-wheel drive at the front.
10 The manual presents ground speeds as a bar chart rather than a table. The values above are the endpoint figures printed on that chart, transcribed rather than measured from the graph. The hydrostatic figures are the maximum lines marked “HST” on the same chart, and they agree with the H.S.T. range selector description on page 12.
All specifications transcribed from the Ford 1215 operator's manual, publication 42121510, originally published by Ford New Holland. Production years, builder, series and engine model are from TractorData and are not printed in the manual. Ford New Holland reserved the right to change specifications without notice; verify against your tractor's serial number before ordering parts or setting clearances.

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Manual code: 42121510

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