The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

Hi all,

I'm thinking of upgrading the major to a diesel 3000 I found. I havent had a chance to get close enough to check the serial number yet, but it has headlights in the grill instead of outside of the nose. I think it must be an earlier model because of this. Guy says the it shows 6700 hours on the meter. Anything good or bad?
Iv'e spent alot of time and money on the major, so I hate to throw good money after bad in my desire for power steering and live pto. Any opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks

The 3000 is not the same as a Major, more a Super Dexta but still a good tractor. If you were looking for a direct replacement it would be the 4000, one of the best tractors Ford ever built.

Headlights outside ther grill = export tractor. Some countries would not accept lights in the grill.
Early tractors had a very high dash panel/tank cover and bonnet line, this was lowered after 1968.
Early tractors will have "flutes" on the bonnet sides.
Early tractors also had a very high clutch pedal position when working the live PTO. There is a two position clevis down on the clutch lever on the bell housing, the normal position is in the front hole but if you are using live PTO it needs to be in the back hole.

Engine can breath heavily and still be OK.
Bores will glaze more easily than a Major if she is not worked.
Block can suffer from cavitation.
Head gasket will leak oil on the manifold side, this is normal and even a new head gasket does not cure it for long. Use sealer when fitting new gasket.

Piston pump on the hydraulics, prone to air getting into system and requiring regular bleeding. Not my choice of hydraulic system, a backward step by Ford from the pump in the rear axle.

Just a few points and my opinion, others will differ but not a tractor for me.

I have been looking for a 4000, but havent been successful. In the long run, I wasnt impressed enough by the early model diesel 3000 to give up the major. maybe when the right 4000 comes along.

Brian wrote: If you were looking for a direct replacement it would be the 4000, one of the best tractors Ford ever built.

Brian:

Better than 4600, 4610?

Ben, I'll think its relative, if you have the choice between a 3000 & a 4000, unless you have a specific requirement for a 3000, most people will take the 4000. As for the 4600 and 4610, both of them should be an improvement over the 4000, but in saying that a 4000Y is one of the best.

The Swanndri Guy wrote:Ben, I'll think its relative, if you have the choice between a 3000 & a 4000, unless you have a specific requirement for a 3000, most people will take the 4000. As for the 4600 and 4610, both of them should be an improvement over the 4000, but in saying that a 4000Y is one of the best.

Is the 4000Y same as Ford Force 4000, post Jul 1968, flat grill and no bonnet flutes? Earlier ones (pre-Force) were problematic?

Do the 4600 & 4610 suffer from porous blocks, so perhaps don't have as good a reputation as the Force 4000Y?

Most suffer from the porous block unless an additive has been used in the coolant. As do most Caterpillar tractors according to their service books.

All 4000s what ever age are the bees knees Father had a pre Force which I sold his boss in 1967 and it was still working hard when traded in during the late 1970's. During that time it never had a spanner laid on it apart from changing oils and filters. It had one of the first Ford white canvas cabs which was quite a luxury after the Mk 1 Lambourne with no doors on the old Major.

Our 4000 sprang a leak in the block about 2 years before we traded it on the 4610 (new). It lived a hard life as a loader tractor on our dairy farm, when it wasn't in the manure pit, it was screaming it's lungs out on the forage blower, blowing haylage into a 60' tower silo (until we got the 5200). Other that a penchant for eating clutches (2wd tractors are not the best loader tractors), it was a pretty tough machine. Even when block popped a pin hole on #2 cylinder, it was sleeved and put back into service.

The 4610 4x4 w/ Frey loader that we replaced it with has been an outstanding tractor. We bought it new in 1989, and the most major repair that has been done is a new fan after a blade broke off last year. It still has the original clutch in it, although it is about due for replacement.

What about a 5000?? Maybe a little big, but still one of best from that era...

Cheers - SR