The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

A video of the hydraulics working in draft control.
Best, Adrian.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6L_sH_mADJs

Adrian this is the stuff I've dreamed of a major with this plough!!! Though it looks like you've proved my theory of the super having a greater lift capacity than the diesel major... my tractor will barely lift exactly the same plough only just off the ground with the rear land wheel removed I've tweaked my hydraulics to the max and it just can't quite do it

Cheers

Hello Stu
Not sure about the Super hydraulics being more powerful than the Diesel Major hydraulics. My 57 Diesel would raise this plough. The plough belongs to my farmer friend, who uses a four wheel drive 80hp Case to pull it. I have never pulled this plough with a Major - I just hitch up to it occasionally to test the hydraulics. On the land around here the soil would be too heavy for the Major to pull it. Plus the TS103 is on the point of being unmanageably heavy for the Major - even with the front weights, the steering is very light. My friend talks about the tractor having to be the master of the plough, and not the other way round. The Major and the TS102 are a match made in heaven, but I'm not sure about the Major/TS103 combination.
Worth putting a gauge on your tipper pipe to test the output pressure of your pump, which I imagine you've already done. If you're getting 2,250lbs per sq inch, or a bit more, the pump's putting out enough power to lift the plough. Have you tried replacing the ram seal?
Best, Adrian.

Yes I did to try and stop it creeping down, but it still does... when I ordered the seal there was a choice of 2 so I just ordered both, one was for a super and one prior to the super, we couldn't find out which was which... It turned out mine was the smaller piston seal... So the super must have a larger diameter piston giving it a greater lift... But if your diesel major did then I'm at a loss. Yes I managed to set mine to something near that I think I put it one of your ploughing posts.
Cheers

2050psi I've just found it... I'm a bit worried of pushing it too far and cracking the pump, what was your diesel major set to?

Cheers

Can't remember exactly, but I believe it was in the region of 2,250 -2,300. I'll dig out my repair manual and see what the pressure should be for the Diesel. For the Super it should be around 2,450, I believe. Again I'll check the manual and come back to you.
I wasn't aware that the Diesel and Supers had different piston sizes.
Best, Adrian.

I'm pretty sure they have the same capacity pumps Stu although not 100% on the drive ratios.

Will it lift the plough like that without the front end weights ??

Just, Rick, but it's on the point of balance. Before I fitted the weights I impressed my daughter by attaching the TS103 then going to the front of the tractor and nonchalantly lifting the front wheels off the ground. Her little eyes nearly popped out of her head.
Best, Adrian.

Brilliant, that sort of thing impresses forever Adrian