Some months ago ,I bought a Super Major for repair and before buying it , armed with all the documentation I found on this site and elsewhere on the net, and with the Condie books with chassis numbers location and lists ,etc, I thought it would be very easy to identify the model .But it wasn't .
First problem :the tractor was sold without registration documents,and I couldn't find a chassis number correspondind to the list . I only could find an "S"engine number .Of course as I discovered later it is an industrial engine number which means it is is useless to date the tractor.
I checked near the starter flange but found nothing .There was still the little constructor plate on the battery bulkhead that was supposed to have the chassis number stamped on it but it seems that Ford found a way to make huge production savings and just put a plate without chassis number.
I came to the conclusion that the chassis number was lost for ever.
Now ,another thing that was puzzling me was the badge on the bonnet.It was written "Fordson Super Major "but it was a rectangular sticker (not the usual stamped metallic badge)and this badge was not discribed in the Condie books nor anywhere else.The only sticker badges I knew of was the rectangular "Fordson" for the New Performance Super Major and the" Ford 5000" for the USA model.
Could it be a NPSM ? As it has disk brakes,super major lift, steel front wheels with inside weights,live PTO ,it could be .The tractor had been repainted dark blue but I could see traces of ligt grey on the wings .It looked original but there is one wrong wing (for drum brakes) .The seat was also painted the same grey .... Eventualy I bought it.
Later when I knew more about the fordson,I found two clues that comfirmed (I hope) that it is a NPSM. The "Drop Control" valve on the lift,and 4A1 casting numbers on the transmission and 4A2 on the lift wich dates it from 1964 I think.
Another puzzling thing is the seat.It looks original but I can't find this model discribed in any parts catalogs nor find any pictures of a similar one on the net.
Now ,the conclusion of this examination is that I probably have a late NPSM and that Mr Condie has missed a whole episode of the fordson major production in his otherwise very good book.
And I would like to ask the other members if somebody could fill the blanks.
First :when and where was this sticker badge used?
I would appreciate pictures of an original bagde as mine is very decayed and I am not sure of the colors anymore.I bought a set of decals on ebay wich looked the same but when it arrived it was a disappointment.
On the original ,it is clear that the letters are white,with black underlining on a clear (white or grey???) background.On the one I bought,the letters and border are not printed and left in chrome finish(base material of the sticker) with black underlining and white background.
Second:is the seat original and when was it introduced?
I am lookink for a spare parts drawing if it exists as mine is completely worn out and has been repaired very crudely.
Third: did NPSM have a constructor plate with chassis number or not?
Thank you
