Identifying my Super Major

This forum is for the Fordson New Major, including the Super Major and the Power Major.
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Prickle
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Identifying my Super Major

Post by Prickle »

Hi, This is my first posting. Just recently went mad and purchased an old Super Major to restore and use occasionally. Call it nostalgia but my Father and Grandfather used them to farm with in the Sixties then traded in on the then new Ford 5000.
Having trouble getting some id numbers to date the old girl.
There is no serial number behind the Simms injector pump.
The numbers I have are
Behind generator N15D
Engine block EIADKN6015 T1
Firewll plaque T-S-9-61 AD-A64L 280-4472
Underseat Housing EIADDN 501 P6 T2
Under tank mount EIADDN 77101
Steering box Burman
Clutch housing P29D
Back Axle P29D
The old girl has had a hard life with front steering locating arms been broken and re welded, lots of brazing , plenty of play in most joints but all good fun.
Would not surprise me if it has had a new engine.
Cheers
Prickle Farmer. Dural NSW AUS
Valtra 285 with FEL, Hinomoto 185.

henk
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Re: Identifying my Super Major

Post by henk »

Welcome to this forum. I hope you will find many answers overhere.

P29D stands for december 1960.
N15D is november 1960. So it seems a first year Super Major.
Look for more of the codes. All the other numbers tells me nothing.

A picture would be nice.
Kind regards, Henk

Fordson New Major February 1957 Mark I


henk
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Re: Identifying my Super Major

Post by henk »

Needs a bit of cosmetic work and maybe some technical work, but it's looking good and complete with some option that make some :mrgreen:
Kind regards, Henk

Fordson New Major February 1957 Mark I

mathias1
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Re: Identifying my Super Major

Post by mathias1 »

henk wrote:Needs a bit of cosmetic work and maybe some technical work, but it's looking good and complete with some option that make some :mrgreen:
Henk, are you talking about the dog? :twisted:

Make sure you use the clutch when you operate the pto lever at the back!
Fordson Super Major New Performance
County Super 4 built on the Fordson Super Major
Selene built on the Fordson Super Major New Performance with Silvant winch

Prickle
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Re: Identifying my Super Major

Post by Prickle »

Thanks for your replies. Glad to know the photos worked.
I am going to start from the front. Nose cone only has 1 good bolt holding it on. Front axle pivot pin has worn the hole oval shaped. Needs new wiring harness and many other things doing to it. No doubt as I get into it I will need plenty of advise.
The real problem is to get it into the shed so I can start work.
The pup is Georgie. My faithful companion.

Cheers
Prickle farmer

Valtra 285 FEL working,
Hinomoto 185 working.

henk
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Re: Identifying my Super Major

Post by henk »

I never notice the dog. :scratchhead: :oops:
I rather see a tractor than a dog. :run: Sorry for those who do like a dog.
Kind regards, Henk

Fordson New Major February 1957 Mark I

Prickle
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Re: Identifying my Super Major

Post by Prickle »

We now have the tractor in the shed.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bsdpxsfwg112c ... 6.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/hdph5px4o4gu2 ... 7.jpg?dl=0

Have now stripped down the front axle. Lots of little surprises with how the bush mechanics got around problems. One front wheel bearing had turned on the shaft so they had used a strip off a tin can to tighten it. Radiator mounts are broken together with front nose cone mounts.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rx5lkur5pn9hy ... 6.jpg?dl=0

Looks like the front axle has worn the pivot hole so much that it has been resting on the casting.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/djhgdgtbw0gsk ... 8.jpg?dl=0

Have replaced most bushes, although due to the amount of wear, have had to make my own to get a nice tight fit for both the pins and pivots.

Waiting for parts to come sure slows things down.

Cheers
Prickle Farmer

henk
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Re: Identifying my Super Major

Post by henk »

Looks like the front axle has worn the pivot hole so much that it has been resting on the casting.
What are your ideas of fixing that hole?
Kind regards, Henk

Fordson New Major February 1957 Mark I

Prickle
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Re: Identifying my Super Major

Post by Prickle »

Hi Henk,
Next question?
I have ordered a new pin and sleeves ( it had a bolt in it) . Then I will have a look and see how much wear there is. Then!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyone have any ideas other than spending large amounts of money and either reaming it out till it is round or filling completely and reboring.
The pivot hole in the main axle is worn perfectly round so I have sleeved it out to the correct size.
Cheers
Prickle Farmer

blackbob
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Re: Identifying my Super Major

Post by blackbob »

Just do what your bush mechanics would do - make a sleeve, put it in the hole, then fill up the gap with weld (or probably braze, as I guess it is cast-iron). No worries 8) :D

It looks better already without that ugly canopy..

Your tractor is missing a top-link rocker like this, keep your eyes open for one: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fordson-trac ... rk:16:pf:0 Be careful fitting any implements on the back with the top-link mounting the way it is, as that plunger (which you have your top-link pin in at the moment) is quite weak, I think mine was broken when I bought my Super.

Interesting that you don't have a handbrake, only the latch on the left brake pedal.. and I wonder what that right-hand 'gear' lever is, I've never seen one? Do you perhaps have a reduction gearbox fitted?

Very envious of your big wheels :mrgreen:
1440276 - 1957 - working
1335674 - err - one day..
Claeys combine M103 - 1963 703129 - working
Ford 7710 2wd, 1983 - working

The Fordson Tractor Pages. Built to be relied on.

Prickle
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Re: Identifying my Super Major

Post by Prickle »

Hi Blackbob,

Must admit my first option was to make a sleeve and then fill with weld or braze.

I need to fit a roll bar at some point to actually use it as a working tractor.

I am keeping my eye out for a top link. Hopefully I can get one from a wreckers.

The brakes can be latched together and then locked with the side latch.

The right hand 'gear' lever you can see with the silver knob is actually part of the hydraulics. The shaft going into the valve unit is broken but I will wait to a later date to fix this.

The tractor has what I would think would be a standard 3 speed box plus high and low range box giving 6 speed plus 2 speed reverse.

I think the wheels would be fairly standard ( in Australia) for a tractor of this size that has spent most of it's life on a mixed wheat and livestock Shark.

Cheers
The Prickle Farmer

Prickle
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Re: Identifying my Super Major

Post by Prickle »

A quick question that will no doubt get 2 opposing camps going.

To repair minor dents in the body or not to repair before painting.

A progress report on the FSM rebuild
All bushes in the front axle replaced plus new centre pivot pin. Ready to etch prime and then paint each piece before assembly.
Fuel tank removed. It has had major repairs to the tanks mounts at some time and has been loose and has rattled recesses in the tank mounts. The inside of the tank had some grit in it but was fairly clean. Now working to repair the throttle linkages to remove the play in them.

Unfortunately work keeps getting the way so rebuilding the old girl is on and of.

Cheers
Prickle Farmer

Prickle
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Re: Identifying my Super Major

Post by Prickle »

Hi,
Making slow progress on the FSM. The front axle and steering is nearly ready to reinstall.
Some help would be appreciated:
Are the engine rails supposed to be straight or curved, as mine are.

https://www.dropbox.com/home?select=20190524_163128.jpg

Second – I want to split the tractor to have a look at the clutch and put in new bushes etc. Is it easier to do it with the front wheels on or would it be better to split without fitting everything to the front. I have a 1 ton chain hoist and gantry so should’nt have any problem lifting the motor.
I also need to split the tractor at the gearbox and redo the gearbox. Given the gunk and water that drained from the rear end with the oil I expect that it will need new bearings at the minimum.
Would I be better just to keep going and break it all up into sections then put it all back together after I have done reconditioning each section.

https://www.dropbox.com/home?select=20190524_155054.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/home?select=20190524_155107.jpg

All help much appreciated.

The Prickle Farmer

FSM 1960
Hinomoto 185 (Painted blue)
Valtra 285 FEL( also painted blue)

Prickle
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Re: Identifying my Super Major

Post by Prickle »

Hi all,

Have found an engine number. 1584329 dating my FSM to Jan 1961.

I have split the tractor at the clutch. Clutch plates look good but the clutch adjusting screws need replacing.

I need some advise on removing the primary gearbox. I have removed the belt pulley, the top gear selector, the side plate with the oil filler plug, the pto housing and the raised pto. Removed all the bolts in the bell housing and now trying to remove the gearbox. It will not budge. Am I missing something? It all looks like it has been removed sometime in the past and could be stuck together with gasket cement although all the gasket removed so far have not had any type of gasket cement on them. Most gasket are in poor order and leaking.

Any help appreciated.

Cheers
Prickle Farmer

mathias1
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Re: Identifying my Super Major

Post by mathias1 »

Also need to remove the steering house, I guess. Then it should come out
Fordson Super Major New Performance
County Super 4 built on the Fordson Super Major
Selene built on the Fordson Super Major New Performance with Silvant winch

Prickle
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Re: Identifying my Super Major

Post by Prickle »

Thanks.

I did have the steering removed. I made a better puller and applied some more pressure and out it came.

On first inspection I did wonder if I should touch the gears. All looked ok until I started to strip it down. First a bearing collapsed with all the rollers falling out. Next there was only half a brass sleeve in one tube and then the lock nut on the primary upper shaft and key had stripped. I also noticed that some of the bearings (outer ring)were loose in the housing. Not floppy loose but slide in and out loose. Any ideas for the best way to treat them.

Sorry no photos , wet, cold and windy here so have the shed door closed to keep the wind and rain out but then have low light. Looking at a couple of arena lights to brighten the shed up.

Cheers
The Prickle Farmer.

mathias1
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Re: Identifying my Super Major

Post by mathias1 »

Well done.

The upper bearing on the rear will probably need a new one. these are prone to break up, when the oil level is getting to low.
Definitely change the seal on the ingoing shaft.
you can find some inspiration in this thread: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7456&hilit=gearbox+rebuild

Don't hesitate to ask your questions here, there are a lot of specialists around here, who will be glad to help you :mrgreen:
Fordson Super Major New Performance
County Super 4 built on the Fordson Super Major
Selene built on the Fordson Super Major New Performance with Silvant winch

oehrick
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Re: Identifying my Super Major

Post by oehrick »

Hi Prickle,

As far as the bearing races slack in the housings, a thorough degrease and a few drops of Loctite or other make Bearing fit or bearing retainer will take care of those, anything rattling slack you can centralise with 3 strips of shim before using the magic liquid, beer or soda cans can provide low cost shim material if you don't have any other source.

Any slack on shafts, you can centre punch the shafts equally around where the bearing fits, this raises a little crater rim a few thou higher than the shaft and will centralise it while the 'glue' goes off.

HTH
Best regards
Rick - Bogside on Bure


1958 Diesel E1A Mk2 s/n 1470165 - still in working clothes

Prickle
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Re: Identifying my Super Major

Post by Prickle »

Hi,
Tractor is now split.
https://www.dropbox.com/home?select=20190609_131929.jpg

Found some nice custard in the backend.
https://www.dropbox.com/home?select=20190609_131909.jpg

The PTO oil seals were doing a great job.
https://www.dropbox.com/home?select=20190609_132833.jpg

Does the backend top housing just lift up when all the bolts are undone?

Not on the subject but went into the city the other night to look at Vivid.
https://www.dropbox.com/home?select=20190602_185621.jpg

Cheers
The Prickle Farmer

mathias1
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Re: Identifying my Super Major

Post by mathias1 »

HI,

your pictures are not available if you don't have a dropbox account.

The hydraulic cover does lift up. Don't forget the 2 bolts under the arms.
Fordson Super Major New Performance
County Super 4 built on the Fordson Super Major
Selene built on the Fordson Super Major New Performance with Silvant winch

Prickle
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Re: Identifying my Super Major

Post by Prickle »

Hi Mathias1,
Thanks and sorry you cannot see the photos. If you go to the Facebook page for Fordson Tractors Australia you can see most of the photos I have put on the forum.
The oil seals in the raised pto and the main drive shaft have been glued in at some time, one with silastic, the other ?? Will probably do the same. All the seals have gone hard so would explain the pool of oil that has collected under the tractor.
Have to take some days off to do some income earning work.
Cheers
The Prickle Farmer

Prickle
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Re: Identifying my Super Major

Post by Prickle »

Hi,

Have just removed the hydraulic filter.
https://www.dropbox.com/home?select=20190616_154106.jpg

Found these 2 pieces of cast steel in the bottom of the diff. They seem to have a machined groove on one side. Cannot see where they may have come from. Any ideas?

https://www.dropbox.com/home?select=20190616_155504.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/home?select=20190616_155410.jpg

I have posted the same photos on Fordson Tractors Australia Facebook page under Steve Jones
Cheers

mathias1
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Re: Identifying my Super Major

Post by mathias1 »

Prickle,

Seems like the back-end could use a good clean up. You're doing a great job.
I finally used a pressure washer to clean the whole thing up. Must say that I didn't remove the pump and differential.
While you have it cleaned up, you will probably find the place where the pieces came off.
Fordson Super Major New Performance
County Super 4 built on the Fordson Super Major
Selene built on the Fordson Super Major New Performance with Silvant winch

Prickle
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Re: Identifying my Super Major

Post by Prickle »

Hi,
Found where the cast iron fragments came from. The bull gear had at one time been rubbing the hydraulic pump mounting. There is no damage to the bull gear in there now so assume it has been replaced.

https://www.dropbox.com/home?select=20190618_135638.jpg

This is the selection of steel bits and pieces I have found in the diff. Now to find where they come from.

https://www.dropbox.com/home?select=20190618_164012.jpg

Trying to decide if I open the hydraulic pump and replace all the seals and O rings or leave it.

Cheers
Prickle

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