The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

Hi Guys

How dows the handbrake work and is it easy to fix mines not working

There is no one answer to this question, there usually are no short cuts to this job,to do it correctly that is . There are plenty info here on this topic. The hand brake is a serious of pressure plates that press / squeezes a reverse idle gear in your primary gearbox.I describe a finding a working handbrake on an unrestored major Is like finding the holygrail.. Lol
Have a look through my posts on this forum as I had to do this job also and i raised similar questions . it should be of some help
Paudie

Cheers erm how do i search
are the parts available to fix the handbrake?

icom102 wrote:Cheers erm how do i search
are the parts available to fix the handbrake?

So far I've only seen the handle as a spare part:
http://www.mayhilltractors.com/fordson/ ... ct_id=3922

I don't know anything about the handbrake either, and mine isn't great.. but quite a lot of choice of parts here? http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw= ... e&_sacat=0

Just search for Fordson Major transmission brake and you'll soon find loads of info on the dear little incredibly iffy (in my opinion) thing. I only say iffy as you MUST always remember to release it prior to attempting to move off. If you don't, I did upload some photos of mine I think on 'Hand brake Adjustment' topic
The parts are relatively easy to source again, just search on ebay or a supplier of vintage parts for Fordson Major transmission brake.
It consists of several stationary plates and rotating discs that are 'sandwiched' together when applying the handbrake.
If yours doesn't work at all you can remove the selector plate (where the oil goes in) and take a look at the assembly and see what distance the cam is from the spring. If you locate my photos you'll see what I mean, I hope, good luck