The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

Hello all...I am working on my 62 fordson super major, now trying to mount a front hydraulic pump to be used for a loader. This pump and loader were on the tractor for years and worked fine with no issues. I rebuilt the engine about 6 years ago and never put them back on. I now have need for the loader and decided to put everything back. The front hydraulic pump has a shaft which connects to a 12 point spline. This spline fits inside a coupler welded to the crank bolt (normally used to start the tractor by hand from the front). Now my problem..
I connected everything and it all worked fine, but slowly the crank bolt started to reverse and backed out. Turns out that the engine is turning the wrong way, opposite of the thread to tighten the bolt. Does anybody have any ideas about how to keep the bolt from reversing?
Kind regards,
David from California

If you can't drill & pin or other mechanical fix you are down to welding or retainer grade Loctite any of which will will be a PITA when next you need to remove it. A pin or key in line with the axis of the crankshaft securing the coupler to the pulley would be best but may not be easy to it.

HTH

Thanks OEhrick,
Good ideas. Not sure if I can, or want, to drill into the crank and bolt, but you have a good idea.
I think I will take the pulley off and see if I can mate something to it. I have been looking at the things designed for the 8n tractors, and I might be able to modify one of them to attach to the pully instead of the crank bolt. On one of my other majors, I have a double chain setup which gives it the ability to power a front pump as well. It uses a two rung chain to connect the shaft to the pulley. Ideally the setup would have some kind of flex and break-away ability so as to not hurt the crank if the pump was to bind. Thinking about rubber (love-joy type) couplings or such. I even noticed some marine setups, but they are very expensive.
I was really hoping there would be more available for this, I thought mounting to the front crank was common? I have three tractors all with this same setup, guess I am just lucky...or not?
Kind regards,
David from California

Hi David
Sorry that I can't help with your enquiry, though I'm enjoying learning from the discussion.
A quick request, or rather requests.
One, photos of your Major.
Two, photos of your Major with California in the background! [I'm guessing this second request is kind of a given!]
Hope you find a solution to your problem.
Best, Adrian.

OK David.

Assuming the thread has not changed since the days of crank handle start, the handle will tighten the screw to start, once running, anything dragging on the screw will tend to loosen it. Might be worth looking for other systems using a front mounted pump to see how they prevented this from happening. Fully understand your reluctance to drill but I suspect it will require more than a star washer or similar.

The soft coupling is a sound idea if there is space but the driving half will still need anchoring to the pulley or crank.

Happy headscratching

Rick

Gonna try to post this: -this is my 64 and 62 supers: Not pretty, but very effective. I have been using them for the last 10ish years. the one on the left is the one with the bolt. I will try to get some better pics today when I get home. My 58 had the chain connection, and I have an 8n with a front mount pump as well, but has been disconnected for quite a while. I'll get some pics tonight!!

Two great machines. Love the underslung exhaust on the 62 Super.
What do you use the tractors for?
What soil type do you have?
Best, Adrian.

As requested, here are some more pictures of my front mount setups:



A close up of the bolt assembly in the 62 major:


My 58 fordson and its front mount config -double roller chain off of crank / crank pulley (currently not running)

And last my 8n front mount pulley setup (currently not installed =, but shaft still in place)



And lastly, for Adrian- I live on a small 5 acre lot, and use the tractors for fun -usually have a 1 acre-ish garden every year, but also help other neighbors with small farming/plowing hobbies in spring and summer.
Heres a pic of sunny California (you can see the 64 in the background (next to my little barn). Soil is very clay with hardpan 2 to 4 feet below surface. Problems with drainage are common

Hello David
Many thanks for the excellent photos. The guys who know about your technical enquiry will no doubt come in with further suggestions.
Looks very green. I'm guessing you're in northern California.
Best, Adrian.