The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

Hey there guys n gals.

I recently got my fordson super major up and running after it has been sitting for 4-5 years. I dont know when some of the components on the tractor were last used, besides the front end loader.

Anyways, I am having a problem engaging my pto lever when I step on the clutch. I have read a little bit about it, and understand it could be a pin in the clutch pedal, the clutch itself could be screwed or out of adjustment.

I can engage it and then turn on the tractor, and it does work, but as soon as I hit the clutch pedal, the pto will stop. Why is this?

Anything else I should be checking for?

A "Live clutch" is easy to identify on a Major. Look at the High/Low gear selector. If High is down the tractor is not a live drive, if High is up, it is a live clutch.

There is a metal bracket around the clutch pedal on a "Live" tractor, at the lower end there is a pin that can be removed to allow the clutch pedal to travel an extra 1".

Your tractor sounds like a non-live drive.

You should have about 1" free play on the clutch pedal on a none "Live" tractor, its about 1/2" on a "Live" drive.

Thanks very much for the reply.

The tractor has the words "live PTO" on the shift pattern plate, and yes the high range is up, and not down.

I did check for the pin in the clutch, and there is no pin, I didnt check the movement on the clutch though, and will adjust that to the 1/2 inch.

I assume that the 1/2 inch of free play on the peddle, is measured from where the clutch lever meets the floorboard area?

OK, 1/2" measured from the pedal to the foot plate.

Could be the clutch is just dragging a bit under light load because of lack of use or even a little oil on the plate. If it stops under load it should not be far out of adjustment.

My Dexta is the same but after the first few times it goes in OK.

Thanks again for the reply. I will update this when I can. My spouse was driving it yesterday discing up our yard, and I dont know what she did, but she ending up blowing the water pump on it!

As soon as I get a different water pump installed I will report back if adjusting the clutch free play helped get it to engage, and will report if it ends up working as a live pto should!

Just wanted to update.

I adjusted my clutch pedal, and at first nothing changed. I then engaged the pto lever, started the tractor, and it started to work fine!


The "live" pto still isnt live though, as in whenever I step on the clutch with the pto engaged, it quits turning, so I will have to look into that yet.

I just wanted to update again (I know its kinda annoying but I like to mention if a problem has been solved!)

My live pto, has been working as of late. I dont know why other then maybe I have just used it a few times now, and have gotten it back in its "groove" or working properly.

Seems my main problem was lack of use, and adjusting the clutch peddle seemed to make everything work well in the end!

Glad to hear thing are groovy with the old girl mate. Dandy Dave!