The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

I took part in the local ploughing match today (no prizes but a great day).

A couple of times while I was off the Dexta checking my plot I found that the hydraulics had lifted to full height and would not drop if I pushed the control down. The hydraulics dropped as soon as I put my foot on the clutch (disconnecting the drive to the hydraulic pump). They then worked OK until I stopped to measure up next.

Any thoughts?

I have got to take the top off the back end this winter to replace the hydraulic seals but I would like to know if I have another problem to sort as well.

Hi Chris,
Which mode do you plough in Position (lever up) or Qual (lever down)? Not sure this has any bearing on your problem - I'm just interested. I've noticed that most of the dexta guys at our local ploughing matches seem to use Ransome ploughs with ground wheels, using position mode. It seems that the ground wheel does most of the draft control.
Comments appreciated.
All the best
Ben

Hi Ben,

It depends on whether I am getting wheel spin. Yesterday we were on light land and I used position control, this way you get more consistent furrow depth. If I were on heavier ground I would probably use draft control to try and reduce wheel slip but furrow depth might be more variable. I could really do with some wheel weights but have not managed to find any yet, the alternative would be to ballast the rear wheels. The advantage of the wheel weights is that I could take them off in the summer.

My problem was with the hydraulics in position control.

Hi Chris,
What plough do you have and does it have a ground wheel? If so does it affect the operation of the draft control if in Qual mode?
Thanks,
Ben

It's a Ransome TS59 2 furrow conventional with Epic bodies (semi digger). It has Cat 2 linkage as it is aimed at Major rather than the dexta. (I have fitted my Dexta with dual category linkage)

It does have a ground wheel so I use the draft control purely to reduce wheel slip.

Chris