fordson super major

[emptyhead]

hi
I have just purchased a new fordson super major, well at least I think that is what it is.
I typed the no ( or what I believe the no. to be, hard to read ) into the computer and besides it thinking a digit was wrong it said it was a 63 new fordson super major.
I have bought this with intentions of restoring it to a certain degree . but with intentions to use it around the house . little linkbox work, possibly to plough for some spuds in march time if im brave enough.( just a few for myself)
it has been in a shed since winter 2010, when its owner was feeding cattle with a round bale on in extremely cold weather when the lift dropped and never worked since.
I would like to get to know a bit about this amazing little tractor and familiarise myself with its workings and to get the lift working before I start to restore it.
Any advice on where I should start first with the lift. Is the pump under the seat , under the back end housing ? Would also like to get it starting on the key.I would like to know what type of key switch it needs as I see there are ones for switching on lights too. Possibly a solenoid too..
Thanks for letting me join this forum and sorry for any stupid questions..

[Brian]

Welcome to the Board.

Before asking questions it would be best to confirm what you have. There are differences between Major and Super Major and again between Super Major and New Performance Super Major and the answers will depend on what you have.

http://www.fordsontractorpages.nl/wiki/ ... ePage.html

Go here using the codes "forsontractorpages" and "dotty", not your password, and you will find an article on "Identifying your Major". It shows where the numbers are and where the casting codes are. A few casting codes can be a great help as, over the years, bits may have been changed and it is not unusual to find a Super with a Major back end or visa-versa.

There is also an article on setting up the hydraulics. Before rushing in you need to do some fault finding to identify what the problem is, it could be pump, "O" rings or even faults on the ram cylinder. The top will have to come off for any hydraulic problem so you will need some method of lifting it off, it is heavy!

Majors do not usually start "on the key" normally they have a lever to push down that engages the starter and triggers the solenoid. Yours may be equiped with a later type starter so again, identification is needed to get the right answers. Pictures would be a great help. (See "posting Pictures" at the top of this forum.

[Dandy Dave]

Welcome Aboard Matey. You have found the right place for advice. As Brian suggested, Photos please. Dandy Dave!

[emptyhead]

thanks guys ..
I typed in my serial no. (below injector 1) lists it to be a july 63 new performance super major, although it says I have a d instead of a c , which im not sure about . The no. I think I have is 08d964641.
I have a casting code 4d21 above altenator, 3K16 under the seat and (eaddn6015 E T4 ) on the block behind and below the injector pump.
It has FL cast on the head and it has a simms pump and the newer type gearstick.
Also has a diff lock pedal at r/h footplate and high footplates and internal brake actuators. Pictures for new super major footplate area and back end look the same as ones in that article on my tractor.
Also has the manual lever for starting but I presume it needs a key switched on first. It has a key switch (maybe not original) but nothing to switch on lights (even though it only has front lights and nothing else.
Will try to get some pictures taken if I get home in daylight or at weekend.
the article on hydraulics relates to ordinary major , or else im at wrong one ...
many thanks again guys
Ps could 2 people lift that lid off

[Brian]

Your Serial Number gives a June 1964 tractor and it is confirmed by the casting number 4D21 which is the 21st April 1964. 3K16 gives September 16th 1963 which is in line with the 1964 dates as some castings were not used straight away.

You should have a key/light switch with the key in the centre and the lights switched on by turning the lever. There are a number of switches on the market, some with plastic barrels, some with metal ones. They also vary in price quite dramatically. Problem is they are all made by the same company and are total rubbish. So far I have had five on my Dexta,the last one lasted two months so I am looking for another supplier. I will be checkin what is on offer in Australia next month and will report back.

You are reading the wrong article . I have listed how to set up and check both Super Major lifts. Yours is the later one with "Double Acting" draft control and is a little more complicated to set up.

As to lifting the lift, I have done it many times both on my own and with two people. Now in my old age I have to visit the physiotherapist at least twice a year and can be in a lot of back pain! I now realise some form of lifting gear would have been good back in the day.

[emptyhead]

Thanks,
you are a gentleman and a scholar as they say.
Will take another look for that article.
I would be interested in getting all the bits an bobs working before I decide how big a job I am going to make of this amazing little tractor.
I have ordered a parts manual .
I have an altenator and not a dynamo. Is that original ?
Also I see wiring looms on ebay for sale , does anyone know how good they are or recommend any particular place for purchasing parts for this tractor ?
I also have a fair oil leak at the front of the injector pump drive

[Brian]

Alternators did not come in on Ford tractors until 1976 so yours will have had one fitted. I would go to Dunlop Tractor Parts for a wiring loom mainly because the company has a very good reputation. You do not say where in the world you are but, if in Norfolk, Malcolm Hipperson at Downham Market is also excellent.

The oil leak from the front could be in one of two places, the auxiliary drive shaft seal which is not a bad job but involves removing the injection pump and drive couplings, then levering out the seal and tapping a new one in. If you do not turn the engine or pump with them off then they should go straight back on but if you turn either you will have to reset the timing to ensure it is not 180 degrees out.

The other area is from the breather which would indicate a worn engine. It could also be stuck rings that will free off after hard work but be prepared for an engine overhaul.

[emptyhead]

Where would I look about an dynamo,,
I think it must be a seal at the pump somewhere at that coupling as I never noticed a breather.. But I will take a better look in daylight
Does Dunlop tractor parts have a website ?
Sorry I never said, i'm from n.ireland.
Where would I look about a seal kit for the hydraulic pump as I would be interested in having a few parts at hand for whenever I take the top lid off, and maybe if you have any other reccomendations for some parts within the backend that I could or should replace it would be greatly appreciated..

[Brian]

If you Google Dunlop Tractor parts you will find him, he is also in Ireland.

I think you would be best ordering the parts once you know what you want, there are so many things that you might find wrong including a broken pump or even something as simple as a blown pipe "O" ring. If you can get hold of a pressure gauge 0 to 3000 psi it will help with diagnosis. They cost around £10.00 from a hydraulic supplier.

Your problem could also be a fault on the ram cylinder if the previous owner was moving very heavy round bales.

[emptyhead]

ok
Does a pressure guage usually come with fittings, and are there test points for attaching this to.. If so ,does it fit under the cover in the backend ?
Any advice on how and whereabouts to test with a guage would be greatly appreciated.

[emptyhead]

Checked today and I see the oil leak doesn't appear to be coming from that breather on the front timing housing.
I hadn't the tractor started but I think it is coming from the seal in front of the injector coupling.
What is that seal known as ?

[Brian]

Pressure gauge fits on the trailer pipe so you would need a fitting for that.

Seal is the auxiliary drive shaft seal, there are two sizes so make sure it is for a New Performance Super Major.

[emptyhead]

had her going today.. .after a few failed attempts of a bump start as the slope it was on was barely enough for getting it moving I decided to put a battery in .Tested for power at the switch on the starter and it was working but no power back from solenoid which I presume means I need a solenoid.. Any particular make I should look for ?
So I brought a live over to starter and happy days ...
The oil leak is coming from that seal in front of that coupling going into timing cover alright.. Are super major seals the same as new super major ones ?
Also I found out that the lift will slowly lift if pto is engaged ( but not really holding if weight is on it ) and also speeds up if I push that little lever at r/h front side of seat if sitting in it .. What is that for ?
Also what is that little knob for in the middle area of the seat , as I see it screws in and out...
I have a no. plate on the front but no tax book ..
Is there any way of looking about a tax book or how to see if this plate belongs to it