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Author
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Topic: 4 WD Major conversions
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Kiwi Kev
True Blue Posts: 132
From: Norfolk Island, South Pacific
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted July 03, 2005 11:43
   
Has anyone seen a 4wd conversion for a Dexta or Major, made by All-Grip Traction, of England. (Wales I think).
What were your thoughts, and what was the layout of it?
I would like to convert my 57 Major to 4wd. I have seen a photo on the home page of Oscar's Fordson Pages, of an E27N 4wd. What was the transfer case and layout like on that?
Hope someone can shed some light on these questions for me.
Thanks
Kiwi Kev
IP: Logged |
Brian
Rules All Things Blue Posts: 2824
From: United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted July 03, 2005 18:47
Kev,
Only 10 mins. ago, I had a four wheel drive 1963 Super Dexta in my yard which I took some pics of. Ill send them through to Oscar for posting.------------------
Kind regards
Brian IP: Logged |
Oscar
Rules All Things Blue Posts: 962
From: The Netherlands
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted July 04, 2005 08:29
 IP: Logged |
Kiwi Kev
True Blue Posts: 132
From: Norfolk Island, South Pacific
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted July 04, 2005 14:14
Brian/Oscar
Thanks for the photos. She needs abit of tidying up, but all the basic's are there.
Brian, was that a Roadless, or All-Grip Traction, or something else.I'm still interested in finding out more about the transfer case design and layout.
Was the Roadless transfer case the same design for both the Dexta and the Major. (different sizes I know)
I look forward to your reply.
Kiwi Kev IP: Logged |
Brian
Rules All Things Blue Posts: 2824
From: United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted July 04, 2005 17:05
Kev,
The All Grip Traction is a modern (2004) "bodge" conversion. I really do not see the advantage. It is not original and really has no place in the vintage tractor market place.You can buy a 4WD purpose built and have a useful modern tractor if you really need one.IMHO.This Dexta is one of the last tractors built by Roadless and comes from the local experimental husbandry farm via a local trader. The asking price is between £10,000 and £12,000 as seen if you are interested. Me? I did not come up in the lottery this week and even if I did it would still be far too much for what it is. There is a lot of work to do on it, engine and hydraulic wise. a fair price would be around £5,000. He has been offered £6,000 for the 4WD alone. That would value the tractor at £4,000 which is frankly ridiculous!  ------------------
Kind regards
Brian IP: Logged |
Kiwi Kev
True Blue Posts: 132
From: Norfolk Island, South Pacific
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted July 05, 2005 13:49
Brian
Thanks for your reply.
I feel I should clarify the reason for enquiring about a 4wd conversion to suit my Major. Norfolk Island is situated 1800 km NE of Sydney Australia, and 1100 km N of Auckland New Zealand. The Island is only 4000 acres, of which I own 3.5 acres of undulating and in places steep land. This place is truly paradise. One of the side effects of living here is the cost of freight to ship supplies in. The frieght cost on a tractor would be about $4000, over and above the cost of buying a production built 4wd tractor. I already have a 1957 Major which is so cool to drive, for my part-time rotary slashing business. To convert to 4wd is not beyond my mechnical abilities, and although the tractor is a classic or vintage tractor, it was by no means an original tractor, prior to me buying it. It brings me so much enjoyment just driving this tractor, which is why I consider it worthwhile converting rather that buying another tractor.
I am still keen to find out more about 4wd Majors, be it Roadless or after market conversions.
I hope you will still talk to me even though I have a non-original Major.
Thanks
Kiwi Kev
IP: Logged |
Oscar
Rules All Things Blue Posts: 962
From: The Netherlands
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted July 05, 2005 14:30
quote:
This place is truly paradise.
You are fortunate !IP: Logged |
Brian
Rules All Things Blue Posts: 2824
From: United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted July 05, 2005 18:29
Kev,
What you need is an old American ex WD GM truck or Willis jeep. Then buy the sandwich box that was being removed from a Major on this site. Once you have the box, something like a Land Rover axle could be made up. Thats what the All Traction people are doing. That was how Manual started, then Roadless started selling their unit and then Manual were taken over by Selene. How about going down the John Deere route and fitting hydraulic drive to each wheel. ------------------
Kind regards
Brian IP: Logged |
Kiwi Kev
True Blue Posts: 132
From: Norfolk Island, South Pacific
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted July 12, 2005 11:46
Brian
Thanks for your reply. Pardon my ignorence, but what was the American ex WW 2 GM Truck or Willis Jeep for.To supply parts, or to use instead of the Major?
Thanks
Kiwi KevIP: Logged |
Brian
Rules All Things Blue Posts: 2824
From: United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted July 12, 2005 16:59
To supply the axles. This is how Manual started and, of course, Roadless tractors were badge engineered Manuals. Manual also made a conversion for the MF65. It had no drop box and was driven from the groundspeed PTO function. I often wonder what would happen if you engaged 1000 rpm PTO instead.Just slightly off topic. Select - o - speed Ford 4000 tractors had a ground speed function through the gearbox. If you selected it and disconnected the drive to the rear axle, you could get PTO revs somewhere in the region of engine speed (2500 rpm flat out). Some clever chaps fitted one to a stone trailer for filling porous material into land drains. This trailer had a driven axle to assist the tractor in bad going. If you disconnected the drive on the tractor and just drove via the ground speed function and the rear axle you could get speeds of nearly 60 mph. A real Fastrac. ------------------
Kind regards
Brian IP: Logged |
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