The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

Evening, chaps. I am going to swap the wiring loom on my Major for one that isn't composed mostly of breaks, connectors and brittle, discoloured 60-year old wires. My machine is a 1957 "half Power Major" interim model, I believe, serial number 1445620, which makes it almost exactly the same age as myself. My question is, should I get a new loom for a Diesel or a Power Major? I think it's the former, but it would be good to hear other peoples' thoughts. Also. the side-mounted headlights were, presumably, removed to allow a loader to be fitted, which I use a lot; how possible is it to fit grille-mounted lights instead, seeing as I'll have the wiring available?
Many thanks in advance
Max

Max,

It all depends on where the clocks are. If under the steering wheel you need power. If not you need New major.

Thanks, Henk. I thought that would be the case.

Well that was easy enough. Tractor even started afterwards, with no fire or smell of hot cable insulation; just have to see if it's charging the battery now. One question - how come the ammeter doesn't seem to have any electrical connection???

Cold be a number of things. Your amp meter could be stuck.
Maybe you have to switch pole at the generator.
For me hard to tell you how in Englisch, but maybe someone eldse could do that.

Your ammeter is an inductive type which measures the magnetic field around the wire that passes through the clip on the back.
See Faradays Law of Electromagnetic Induction and Faradays Corkscrew Rule for further enlightenment.

(Yes there really is a scientific Law called Faradays Corkscrew Rule).

Plus Fleming's left and right hand rules for dynamo's & motors !

Is the same meter used in the Mk11 Major like mine Brian or is it just the steering column panel type ? I'd thought of swapping for a cleaner one when I replace my regulator but the intended replacement is a normal coil type not a 'tong tester' .

Congrats on the transplant, always worrying when it works first time

Thanks, Brain, I wondered if it was something like that. I only ran the tractor for a few minutes after the transplant, and the ammeter stayed in its customary position, at zero, so I'm not convinced that the battery is being charged although the ammeter could be bust, of course. I don't think it has moved in the ten years I've owned the tractor!