The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

Hello, I have a 63 new super major with diff lock. I drove this out of a hedge on a field back in August and been very busy trying to get it back to working order. When I got it turning was an issue as it would not turn even with the front wheels cranked round. So I looked at pictures on the net and found it had a diff lock pedal that I had not seen on the tractor, bearing in mind this my first tractor so learning everyday thought this must be why it will not turn corners and the rear wheels churning up the dirt lane.
The footplates where rot and planks of wood replaced them, hey under a plank there was a diff lock pedal. I have since replaced the footplates and freed the pedal and now she turns. I have been able to do a couple of road runs and the final drive whines and coasting down a hill feels it is holding the tractor back and on the flat slight inclines kill the speed. I know it is not the brakes as I can rock each wheel a bit on the play/dwell of the diff.
I have jacked up the rear wheels one at a time and turned them by hand with a lot of resistance, one wheel in the air and the other on the floor so to me just turning the diff. Should it be so tight?
The oil is beige colour probably 50yrs old I was looking to change it but not sure it would be that simple as nothing has been simple so far.
Has the old farmer who is 95 now busted the final drive by running on constant diff lock?
Any help would be gratefully received.

All the best and Happy Christmas from Brighton by the sea. (Sea air rots tractors )
Ian

The diff should unlock immediately when the pedal comes up. I think you need to take the brakehouses and the bullpinions out to see whats wrong. The differential part can be found on the rh bullpinion

Are you absolutely sure the problem isn't the brakes? Are the linkages all free - and do the brake housings stay cold when you're on a road run?

Hi and thanks, yes I am sure its not the brakes as the wheels rock back and forward in the play in the drive easy. There is a positive whine as the tractor moves and you can feel it through the seat. I also have cleaned the disc brakes and made sure the pedals return with springs. When you turn the wheels you can feel a mechanical resistance.
Ian.

I have had a think and could it be a sticky something, not quite out of lock? maybe I need to press the diff lock a few times and see what happens.
Still thinking Ian.

Take off the cover with the pedal, the axle you see is on a spring

I've suspected the diff in my tractor to be faulty in someway too. There is a loud clunk when the left hand brake is applied and the chap I bought the Major off did mention that he remembers he had to hit the brakes hard which resulted in this noise occurring each time. I've had all the drums off and shoes and everything is intact so assume it's something on the internal end of the shaft.
I've also noticed the excessive resistance when attempting to rotate a raised rear wheel and also taken the tractor out of gear going down (slight) hills where she gently coasts along until the first bit of flat ground where she promptly stops.
Could this be a problem with the diff?

Sorry I can't remember how old your tractor is but if it has drum brakes and shoes, it won't have a diff-lock as only Super Majors had those, along with disc brakes.

If you're sure the brake shoes aren't dragging.. what about the handrake?

blackbob wrote:Sorry I can't remember how old your tractor is but if it has drum brakes and shoes, it won't have a diff-lock as only Super Majors had those, along with disc brakes.

If you're sure the brake shoes aren't dragging.. what about the handrake?

Wasn't it a 55 major, so it doesn't have a diff-lock. Easy-start, it would be helpfull if you can post some pictures.

It is a 1955 Major so it doesn't have a diff lock and it does have shoes (and drums).

The gearbox has been out twice in 2016, once to replace the transmission brake plates and the second time to replace two bearings which I knew were faulty when I put the tractor back together the first time

I was hoping that the overhaul of the gearbox would in someway alleviate the resistance previously mentioned, but it hasn't

This is why I now focus my attention on the differential as this is where the resistance occurs (tested when the tractor was split). It feels too tight when trying to rotate a raised wheel and in the seat when driving. I'm sure it wasn't always like this and the other 'oldies' I have (AC, MF, MH & E27N) aren't anything like the this E1A

I'll upload some photos of my nemesis to this discussion!

What she used to look like

With the freshly painted wheels

The gear box out for new bearings

A view from the 'bridge' finishing my ploughing