The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

Hi all, my question is what is difference between three hole and four hole front cast major wheels? did three hole come out on late supers? any comments ? mark

Hello,
Each country generally hadtheir own wheels to help with the local content laws, you would likely get more reponse if you posted some pictures.

Even wheels withinn Australia vary considerably with West Australian wheels not used in the East Coast and East Coast wheels not used in the West, so I wouldn't like to guess what you have over the detch.

Mike

Three hole cast wheels came out with the Power Major in 1958 and carried on to the end of production although NP Supers also had pressed steel ones later as well.

Thanks for replies, reason i asked was my power major has 16" steel rims and the option was for 19" cast rims (or other way round).
a pair of cast wheels have been advertised but they are not a pair, one is four holes and one threee holes so wasnt sure which ones would be correct for my 1958 power major.
if i change the rims/hubs to cast i need to find three holed cast wheels it seems.
Thanks brian for clarification on this.
Mark

Hello again,
for your information, In West Australia Agricultural N models had the 19" wheels with four holes, The N model grader had a solid cast 16" wheel with little offset, then from the E 27N on all our Fordsons had 16" front wheels with more offset to clear the later type king pins/ stub axles.

The late Power Major and Super Majors seem to have basically the same solid wheel and same three small drilled holes which were likely for extra wheel weights, but some were 1" wider withthe screw on cap.
At some point about the time of the Mark 2 New Major the bearing caps changed from having a three bolt mounted pressed cap, to a screw on pressesd steel cap with a nut incorperated into the pressing.

The three bolt pressed bearing caps where thinner with more pronounced shape, then the mid E27 on caps were of a thicker metal and possibly made locally in Perth the shape of these were altered to a more rounded profile obviously to allow for the thicker metal used.
Elsewhere in Australia different design and diameter wheels were used on the rear.
I understand the Malcom Moore made the wheels in Australia, but this may have been varied for WA, as we had substancial foundries here too.
Mike

thanks for reply Mike, however it is only E1A Major i was enquiring about, as stated i have a 1958 power Major and Brian has explained that early E1A's had four holes and power major/ super major changed to 3 holes. This appears to be consistant with pictures however there are some which have had different wheels fitted.
Australia may be different due to the policies of local content. NZ appears to be consistant with Brians explaination.
Again, thanks. Mark

Mark

New Zealand Power Majors and Super Majors came standard with pressed 16 inch front wheels, 750-16 tyres and 14-30 rear wheels. Rear adjustable was an option but the three spoke cast wheels where not sent not there as far as I recall. I had a Power Major and a Super Major when I lived in NZ.

Steve


http://www.flickr.com/photos/branxholm/ ... 00519@N07/

Hi Steve, thanks for input, my 58 power major has the pressed rims 750 x 16 on front and 14 - 30 on rear . i was wondering what the cast wheel differences were out of curiousity with thought maybe i could aquire a set for visual change sake.
by the way you wouldnt be able to help me find a raised pto from your neck of the woods would you? cheers, mark