The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

hi folks you will see i have edited this post as it was put on by a friend on his computer as i have been unable to post a question since before christmas but thanks to mike iam now able to post. i have removed top cover of my super major to check un load valve as advised by brian but this is free and does not seem to be the problem is there anything else to check .Every thing seems clean and free in the top cover and oil comes out the pipe with pressure if i put my thumb over it again as advised by brian any ideas where else to look would be appreciated

Is the PTO in gear? If not, pull the lever back and be sure the PTO is turning. Dandy Dave!

Also, is it freezing where you are now? I've had mine refuse to work in sub-zero temperatures - I think the problem was caused by condensation freezing in the valves.

If this is the case, I have a solution, but it's one that needs to be approved by Brian first to make sure it's not harmful. Doesn't seem to have caused any problems in my case yet though but would prefer to be sure before recommending it to someone else

Any solution as long as its not antifreeze in the oil J-P

No lift at all sounds like pump or even pressure relief valve. Take off the aux service chest and operate the starter. (DO NOT START THE ENGINE). You should get oil from the pump from one of the two holes to the right of the plate. Simple method. put your thumb over it and see if it will lift your thumb. This is perfectly safe. If it will lift your thumb then the problem could be in the aux service chest, like a jambed flow control valve.

Next thing would be to pull the aux control valve knob out and see if you can here the pump load down with the control lever right up. If the answer is no, drop the lift arms and try again.

If none of this works, the top will have to come off so that you can check pipes, pump, valves and "O" rings.

Another area to look would be drain the oil and drop the intake filter out. It may be full of frozen gunge.

Also add 2 gallons of kerosene to the oil in the rear axle. (Fordson solution) Do not use diesel as this will react with the "O" ring rubber and cause these to fail.

My solution for the freezing problem has been a dash of the alcohol sold for airbrakes on older trucks (those without the magic drier that the new ones seem to have). My concern was exactly the thought of what that might do to the various "O" rings and seals.

Since giving the tractor this shot of the hard stuff I haven't had any problems with the lift - in previous years it was regularly frozen, but not this year, and this is the worst winter I've seen!

J-P

John-Paul wrote:My solution for the freezing problem has been a dash of the alcohol sold for airbrakes on older trucks (those without the magic drier that the new ones seem to have). My concern was exactly the thought of what that might do to the various "O" rings and seals.

Since giving the tractor this shot of the hard stuff I haven't had any problems with the lift - in previous years it was regularly frozen, but not this year, and this is the worst winter I've seen!

J-P

So, what does Brian think about this "booze in your oil"-thing? I was kind of thinking about that myself, it's hard to get hold of kerosene in sweden, does anyone know of a good substitute that doesn't involve mixing gasoline with diesel?

I do not know what alcohol will do to the "O" rings. I know that Ford recommended kerosene and I have used it to good effect.

Petrol would be too drying and diesel will definitely take out the rings.

Ford also used to supply an additive for exactly this problem but I do not think it is now available.

Okay... finding a small local supply of kerosene it is then...

Maybe I should take a similar 'o' ring and leave it to soak in a glass of Aerol?

As long as I don't put it anywhere next to my evening's pink gin with slice of black olive...


And what about lamp oil? Isn't that similar enough to kerosene? What's the difference exactly?

Lamp oil is near enough kerosene. So is jet fuel and 28 second central heating oil.