I've looked at them and I'll go through them one by one, but they're all very expensive for me.
First the Major's:
https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/l ... 0710014093
Only part of an engine but very handy for fixing an January 52 TVO Major.
https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/l ... 4775747442
Very nice tractor but not a 51 as claimed in the lot. I suspect it's not as early as that, the early brake locking handle was used till a bit later
(edit: used till 1235912) but I can't say for sure right now (can't check the Allan T Condie Major book at the moment, but I would say October sounds more like what I have in mind), the mudguards as I understood started flat with the curved rib, then the two horizontal ones were added soon afterwards
(edit: Allan T Condie got a bit mixed up in the Major book. on page 7 there are two early 52 pics clearly showing that the curved rib and two horizontal ribs were used then, but he says the reverse in the text about the mudguards in page 42. I have other things that point to that too, but the pic in page 7 is definitive with E27N's in the background, further confirmed by pics in Stuart Gibbard's Ford Tractor Story, although there are no comments in the text) then the three horizontal ones were used. The ammeter is not the early type, and there are a few parts that are wrong (drawbar, RH lifting rod, hydraulic lever quadrant and the wiring for the side lights and also the rear light, none of them being on). The wiring near the engine is also wrong, as is the dynamo (clearly made in 1960, the original one should have a brush cover and petroleum jelly lubricator). The battery tray prop is missing. Having said all this I still think it's a lovely tractor (if it's alright to have an enormous fuel bill!), with many nice early features (including the early clutch pedal and aluminium steering wheel). It would be nice if the picture people would remember to look for the serial number on the flange behind the starter as well. Pretty low hours, possibly below 10000.
https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/l ... 8875556859
Early October 52 Major diesel, this one does have the early ammeter, it also has side and rear lights, the side lights are correct (without the glare ring) but the rear light is too late (this type came in late 55 maybe early 56), the wiring again seems to be wrong as is the dynamo and the starter rubber boot (before mid 55 it was a simpler shape, as shown in most manuals). This one does have a battery tray prop, but not the right one (later type, Ebro used this setup when they started to make their own bits), the drawbar is lovely, as is the exhaust. The dynamo is again wrong. The front casting is a later type, not sure if it is correct (It came in pretty early on but I don't know the exact moment). Once again a very nice early Major, I think it has the later pump camshaft which is not original, but it will avoid a running backwards incident. Some 25000 hours.
https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/l ... 0041024271
I think this is actually a 58 Mk2 with live PTO and a non original Mk1 engine. I can't read the serial number on the engine
(edit: I now think it's a late March 57, a very rare period, and a valuable view that the badges were changed before the Mk2 appeared, with the ending of the TVO and radiator shutters), but the fact that all other parts look like what you would see on a 58 (except the belt pulley guard) suggest that that's what it is. Shame the tachometer and clutch stop pin are missing! Apart from the engine this one looks really good (can't see the ammeter dial, I suspect it's water in there), the mudguards are spectacularly good. It is before the higher headlight mounting was made visible and plugged with rubber. Some 15000 hours.
https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/l ... 2806586980
31 August 56 Major Diesel, with a Clydesdale cab and a replacement block (off a possibly December 57 industrial engine). Oddly this one has an early PTO casting and dynamo, but otherwise it looks pretty good. The oil pressure gauge unfortunately looks to be stuck at max pressure. The injector pump has been worked on, and the AC fuel filter still has the instruction on it (but only just). Has a new water pump. This one still has the earlier battery tray (either a stock part or later fitted replacement) and like many it's missing the prop. No rear light either, just the post 54 units on the mudguards. Again a lovely Major, with some 20000 hours.
https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/l ... 4293355002
Late March 59 Power Major, in spectacular original condition. Unfortunately I can't agree with the seller on the hours, as the brake pedal is clearly more worn than 1880.2 hours (I would add 20000), but I will give him good marks for his care of this tractor (it could have been cleaner but other than that everything looks very good). The starter and switch are new, and the seat cushions look to be off an NP (but I would say they are genuine). It's even still got the safety chains and the original exhaust! No wonder this one made the most pricey sale of all.
https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/l ... 9867475527
Mid February 62 Super Major, another spectacular tractor. The paint might not be as good as the Power Major, but it's otherwise comparable in many ways, complete with the full regulation belt pulley guard as fitted from mid 61 (can't check the service letter just now). Once again I can't agree with the hours, the pedals again look too worn, I would add 10000 to the 1932.4 hours. The hydraulics show signs of external valves being used, and an odd thing on the check valve. The spanner as a drawbar pin seems a bit risky, but curious too. A lovely Super Major, especially if you really want one of the last before the minimec was fitted.
https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/l ... 0367904886
Early to mid May 64 NP Super Major, I would say this one is another one to add 10000 to its 6320.7 hours, but here low hours weren't claimed. Another spectacular tractor, the front wheels and weights, the backrest and some bolts in the area are wrong but apart from that I can see little to complain about, this one has also suffered odd things with the hydraulics. NP's in such good condition are rare, and with the others for comparison I would say the difference between Empire blue and NP blue would have been clear.
https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/l ... 6086948815
Late December 56 Major Diesel, restored. 77.3 hours since restoration, I would say a total of around 25000 but as it's restored you never know if those pedals are original (but they probably are as pedals are very rarely replaced). Several of the typical issues with restorations the only painting issue being the grilles and exhaust. Wrong temp gauge, ignition switch and cushion among other details. Still probably one of the nicer restorations as it seems few important parts have been replaced.
https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/l ... 9127346907
Unusual restored NP Triple-D, I think the gear selecting system for the front tractor has been modified to make the usual pattern for the gear lever, which is a modified original early type. Several odd parts including a waterproof M50G starter on the front tractor. I would say some 26000 hours. Many bad repro parts (tinwork I would say very clearly) but some nice touches like an original top link. The weights on the front seem a bit unnecessary. Nice to see a Triple-D here. I don't know how the Doe serial numbers date but I can't see any Ford codes or numbers.
https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/l ... 7222848020
Late January 64 NP Super Major with export bonnet, apparently French but not too sure. Probably 10000 hours but not too sure as the tachometer although genuine is wrong, as are other parts. I am sure this one is much lower hours than many of the others are. Although there are things that are wrong I still think it's a very nice Major and pretty good for being original (but not perfect).
https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/l ... 2854692831
Very unusual early Major, I would say early 53 but not too sure as I can't see any code or number. The block has an odd number in the later location, but I doubt Ford put that there. Has many early bits (including the early ammeter) and many wrong much later ones (also a Lucas ACR alternator).
https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/l ... 9193182782
Early May 63 Super Major (judging by the gearbox casting code), unusually devoid of a serial number. This one seems to be at around 30000 hours (like Billy), quite good with only a few parts wrong (lifting rods). Missing the odd thing here and there too.
https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/l ... 0201704555
NP Super Major with December 73 industrial block (can't see any codes) and front end loader, restored. Looks like a fairly typical restoration, with many repro parts. I would say some 15000 hours plus the 6.5 since the restoration. Pleased to see the original power steering still fitted. Nice loader too, with far less stress problems than many.
https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/l ... 9580010467
Mid April 63 Super Major with wrong colour wheels and wrong mudguards, and the drawbar has been cut back to look like an early one (but it's not). Apart from that it looks like a very nice Major, some 10000 hours to add to the 208.8 on the counter.
https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/l ... 9055976430
Mk2 Major with replacement block, can't read any codes or numbers. Has a Horndraulic loader, looks like several parts are missing or damaged. Not an industrial. This one probably has more than 40000 hours, and I would say apart from missing things and the block it's pretty original. It was a no lights tractor, unlike most.
https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/l ... 0169403722
Mid May 58 Major Mk2, a bit battered but looks pretty good, fairly poor tinwork, but all looks original. I would say some 25000 hours, has preset linkage control. The clutch doesn't look great, but probably just lack of adjustment and the pedal spring.
https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/l ... 2618764597
Super Major, can't really read the serial number but could be a 63. Solid front end loader, appears to have Major hydraulics, otherwise missing a few bits. Has power steering. Probably 30000 hours.
Now the Dexta's:
https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/l ... 5390366724
64 NP Super Dexta probably January but difficult to tell. Missing lots of stuff, also seems to have a Power Major temp gauge in place of the tachometer. Mudguards look terrible. Some 30000 hours.
https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/l ... 4003892845
Early April 63 Super Dexta, several parts missing or badly damaged. Has pickup hitch. Wrong radiator. Some 25000 hours.
https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/l ... 0397966000
63 Dexta (can't see the whole number), has a front end loader frame and a very strong looking cab (but I'm not sure it is that strong). Some 10000 hours to add to the 5130.55 shown. Looks like it's had a hard time.
Now the E27N's:
https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/l ... 5238944066
Probably early 48 fully equipped E27N, can't really tell as there's no numbers or codes I can see well enough (possibly a 7.7 red spot). Once again I wish the pics included a valid serial number. Seems to be fairly low hours and a good original tractor, only missing the odd bit.
https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/l ... 3264013408
Fully equipped P6 E27N, can't really tell as there's no numbers or codes I can see well enough (possibly a 7.7 green spot), restored. Has a few later Major parts on and a very odd battery arrangement. Not a late tractor but not totally sure. This one has more hours but I can't say much more as I'm not that familiar with the pedals.
https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/l ... 2489914311
Late 49 fully equipped E27N, 4.3 green spot, restored. Apart from the orange belt pulley and dipsticks looks good. Has Varley hydraulics and looks to be lowish hours.
https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/l ... 6311661203
Late mid 49 fully equipped E27N, 7.7 green spot, restored a while ago. Has more hours and is missing more bits. Has a Major front wheel and possibly a factory reconditioned engine.
https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/l ... 4480645506
Late 47 E27N, 7.7 green spot (I think), restored. Has no hydraulics. This one has more hours. Looks good apart from the orange belt pulley.
Finally the N:
https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/l ... 1628318997
Early wartime N, can't really tell the date as I can't read the serial number and it has an E27N block. Nice looking but not totally sure if it's as original as I like to think it is.
These are just my comments, anything you want to add is welcome.
Sandy