Fordson diesel major?

[James K]

Hi,
Just to check, does anyone know the main difference between the fordson major E1A & fordson diesel majors? Is it mainly engine power why it's called a diesel major rather than just fordson major? Any info appreciated. Regards,
James

[Emiel]

Hi,

Power Major basically is a facelift of the previous "new Major" model.

The New Major was available as Diesel, Petrol and TVO engined tractor. The vast majority of them being Diesel. Somewhere in '57 the TVO engine was dropped and a updated engine introduced. Around that time the Live PTO came available, may be a little earlier even. This updated engine was used in the Power Major as well.

All models are virtually indestructable. Upgrading the engine is NOT a good idea. Keeping a tractor original retains it value and prevents injueries from overstressing parts.

rgds

Emiel

[blackbob]

James you're maybe looking at the badges on the bonnet.. From memory the first E1A's had a badge with 'Fordson Major', with a separate little 'Diesel' badge underneath it; this was soon changed to a badge with 'Fordson Major Diesel', with a big letter 'D'; then in 57 with the fitting of the more powerful engine, the badges went back to the original 'Fordson Major' style but without the little Diesel badge. This was only for a year or so until the introduction of the Power Major, which had its own badge.

The term E1A covers all the Majors from 52 to 64. The previous darker-blue Major being the E27N.

And of course bonnets are easily swapped between tractors, so after all these years, a bonnet's badges may not be a good indicator of the age of the tractor underneath them..