Fordson Major Diesel Mk2

[Major Tom]

I've just joined this this forum after being a lifelong Major fan. As a teenager I used to drive my Dad's Major Mk2 livedrive, often with a Horndraulic front-end loader and Lister Take-Put bale handler.

Now that I'm facing retirement I'm looking at getting one of my own and found this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140872345367? ... 97.c0.m619

Apart from the Livedrive badge being on the wrong side on the grille it looks pretty good. I'd be very grateful for any comments.

[Kiwi Kev]

Major Tom
Welcome to the forum.
I can't view the pictures at the moment.
What are you intending to do with a Major, hobby farm or show/road runs or rebuild?
You've come to the right place for Fordson info. Some guys on here are like a walking encylopedia
Kiwi Kev

[Major Tom]

Thanks for your welcoming message. I've various plans including local rallies, but my family's farm is nearby so there could be some light duties for a Major. If I pluck up the courage I might even have a go at ploughing at local competitions, but I'd need some coaching before I'd risk it!

After 35 years as a teacher it would be good to reconnect to my Fordson roots!

[Mjg1705]

That's a nice early major ! If the engine is sweet and as good as he says, then it could be worth considering looks tidy- depends how much you want to spend on a major - and which model you fancy ?! But looks all good for a retirement tractor

[super6954]

Hi Welcome to the forum
As said before if its as good as it looks No wear in steering and the motors good no bad oil leaks the tins not all full of filler etc, then go for it at that kind of money. I have seen tractors on ebay that would need 2 or 3 thousand spent on them to get them looking this nice and the asking has been 1500 plus starting for them.
some of the tractor magazine classifieds are this kinda money too these days.
I remember in my U.K days buying majors in the 90's for 200 quid and selling them done for a 1500 or less with loader. now the junks making more than I sold the good ones .
Good luck
Regards Robert

[henk]

Welcome Tom,

This is a real beauty. And beauty cost more.
You should ask for the engine number. Then you can check if it is a rightful MkII engine on the correct tractor. They only build the MkII on the New Major from April 1957 number 1424724 until July 1958 1478284 then it became a Power Major with the clocks under the steering wheel.

[Dandy Dave]

Welcome Aboard Matey! She looks like a good one. Dandy Dave!

[halloween]

Not wanting to hijack this thread, but...

If the headlights mount mid way up the nose as on the ebay picture, what are the holes in the top of the nose for?

[super6954]

Hi Halloween
The holes further up are for headlights too . I seem to remember that they are used for mounting the lights further up for use in Different countries with there own lighting regulations as to height of the lamp unit.
Regards Robert

[Kiwi Kev]

Not wanting to hijack this thread, but...

If the headlights mount mid way up the nose as on the ebay picture, what are the holes in the top of the nose for?

top one for high beam
bottom one for low beam

[halloween]

Thanks Super, very good Kev!

[Dandy Dave]

My power Major has the lights mounted in the upper set of holes, and also has the lower holes in the sheet metal as most all the FMD's, and FPM's do. The only difference I have seen on some is when a loader was mounted sometimes the lights were moved to the top. The Super's lights are in the Grills. Dandy Dave!