The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

I know the feeling, we tend to leave our pruning late and we're very slow which ends up meaning we have a scramble to finish as we only end up getting a month or so for ploughing with Billy before the vine shoots get too long for him to get through.
Sandy

You might have noticed that our row spacing is quite a bit more than usual, this is to allow Billy through when ploughing and to compensate for a not very skilled driver on him as was our case when the vines were planted.
Sandy

We have Merlot, and the vines are only slightly younger than myself. We do make our own wine, last year was the first time after a 4 year hiatus because of lack of time and disease. Do you have any interceps in NZ?
Your Dexta must be busy on the vines!
Sandy

J Bargans (a local implement manufacturer) had these as one of their main implements in their range together with the more usual trailers and cultivators. Their implements are some of the best that are based on std. rolled steel parts welded up, and very common in our area.
Sandy

A few years later we fitted a special implement for working in vines, called the intercep. It's a plough that can be moved in and out to remove vegetation right next to the vines (see this: https://www.fordsontractorpages.nl/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8553 ). https://i.postimg.cc/rpdWTLSs/2020-H21-...

Hi all, I've been wanting to post this for ages, I've finally got to it now. In vineyard ploughing there's an area that can't get any normal implement in it: between vines. To get round this many people have come up with a special implement called the intercep. It consists of a pivoting frame that l...

It will, that's what the original system did, but to ensure you avoid running diesel in the manifold I recommend you squirt the fuel in once the heater has warmed slightly, as then it shouldn't pour down into the engine. Doing this is much easier when you can do it from the seat, it also allows you ...

You shouldn't have a butterfly valve in your engine (as you have a minimec), but it shouldn't be a problem provided you can ensure no dirt can get in. The original system was to allow operation from the seat while starting, which allows for quicker starting. For some reason the correct Dexta fuel ta...

It will take a bit longer to build up pressure as it has to fill the filter first.
Sandy

Get some good light for this, you should renew the rubber seal, after removing all traces of previous seals. I think your leak is from a dirty seating with bits of old seal still on. You should also check the new seal as some can be damaged before you get them.
Sandy

Sounds like the pump is in trouble, I think it will need an overhaul, but leave it for now. Does the heater work properly? The P4588 minimec was fitted to all Dexta's from April 1962 (engine no. 1530251 onwards, and all in the 16xxxxx series before June 63, which are the Super Dexta ones), NP Super ...

Can you post a pic of them? I don't know of anyone replacing them, but if you need to get some get good second hand ones as then you're sure they're right.
Sandy

I don't think thicker diesel will affect a Major, as the BS1947:class A vintage was probably even thicker and that's what Ford used as a basis for the Major. Modern engines could suffer however.
Sandy

Agree 100% John.
Sandy

You shouldn't need to remove the pump for timing, an easy way to avoid mis fitting the pump is to have the pump marks aligned and the flywheel at the correct timing with the clamp bolt on the pump coupling underneath. Loosen the claw bolts as necessary.
Sandy

If you want pressed wheels you must fit weights, as you'll lose front end weight essential for pulling heavy loads. Otherwise just as Emiel says.
Sandy

Totally agree about lack of use, although Billy has never had trouble to spite having sat for a very long time when we first got here. Super Billy didn't have any trouble either after having sat outside for years before we got him.
Sandy

That pump looks very dry, put in plenty of diesel and keep it there until everything is working (the rack should be completely free, you'll notice that if you remove the governor, otherwise it should promptly spring towards the rear, moving further back when you press the excess fuel button), then p...

Always good to see Major's get back to work easily. I would suggest more than a little squirt, as it will improve lubrication when running.
Sandy

The stop lever should always move, I think your plungers might be stuck, but before you get to that try pressing the excess fuel button and then pulling the stop lever to see if it pops out again or it stays in either position.
Sandy

The minimec pump replaced the vacuum pump from April 1962 onwards and that pump had a drain off plug, level plug and a fill plug and a specific cambox oil change service schedule and there must have been a reason for that. I had always thought it was because of the mechanical governor having lots m...

Your tappets might be stuck, get some diesel in there to loosen them up, usually it's the plungers that stick (not in your case). Your cambox is very dry and dirty, I would give it plenty of clean diesel, cleaning it is a delicate job, but you should be running once the tappets freed off.
Sandy

I think it's the bottom seal, look in a parts book to be sure though.
http://www.smallholderservices.co.uk/si ... s_list.pdf page 104
Sandy

You very rarely actually need the special tools for most jobs, they were mainly designed to allow dealers to undertake the quickest possible repair to reduce the time the tractor was out of action.The locating studs you can make yourself if you think you need them, pressing a bearing on can be done ...

Looks like a world series Ransomes plough, I don't know which one though.
Sandy