Fordson Dexta hydraulics

This forum is about the Fordson Dexta, Super Dexta and Petrol Dexta.
Post Reply
Dexta J
Not Quite Blue Yet
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2019 8:44 am

Fordson Dexta hydraulics

Post by Dexta J »

Hi there,

I am hoping I can get some answers from this forum!

A Dexta was the first tractor my family ever bought, because it came with a new tiller. Now we have had over 16 other tractors through our place, and it is still my favourite!

We used to call it "The Unstoppable Dexta" because when you put the clutch in it wouldn't stop!

Now, four years later, I have got enough experience (I hope) to fix the clutch, sloppy steering and hydraulics.

Any advice on fitting the steering replacement part?

Now, the hydraulics will lift the full way at a slight lever-up, but drop rapidly. I can move the lever over the top, when I lift, it drops, and when I drop it, it lifts, excepting fully down.

What is the problem, and how can I fix it?

Many thanks!

Joshua

Mervyn Spencer
True Blue
Posts: 830
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2008 3:34 pm
Location: South Africa

Re: Fordson Dexta hydraulics

Post by Mervyn Spencer »

Hi Joshua,
Do you have a workshop manual for your tractor? I found the manual most helpful and I was able to attend to most of my issues over the years. Do yourself a favour and download the manual as explained in a post just before yours. From the Dexta forum page which I see you are logged in on, scroll down to 3rd topic and you will see "Stefan" workshop manual"(Thanks to PghBill for his earlier advice where to find the copy of Stefan's manual) download all sections and I'm sure that will assist you with that steering issue you have. Best of luck. Which part of the world do you live in Joshua?

Regards Mervyn.

Dexta J
Not Quite Blue Yet
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2019 8:44 am

Re: Fordson Dexta hydraulics

Post by Dexta J »

Hi Mervyn,
Thanks for the reply!
I just ordered a workshop manual today.
I live in New Zealand.
How can I upload a photo as when I click 'Img' it just does and nothing else.

Thanks!
Joshua

Les bryant
True Blue
Posts: 60
Joined: Fri May 27, 2011 10:28 am

Re: Fordson Dexta hydraulics

Post by Les bryant »

where abouts in New Zaeland do you live as i live in feilding nz . cheers Les.

Dexta J
Not Quite Blue Yet
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2019 8:44 am

Re: Fordson Dexta hydraulics

Post by Dexta J »

Hi Les,
I live on your side of Palmerston North.
Thanks

Les bryant
True Blue
Posts: 60
Joined: Fri May 27, 2011 10:28 am

Re: Fordson Dexta hydraulics

Post by Les bryant »

I am going to south island on saturday for 3 weeks ,will get touch when back .cheers Les

Mervyn Spencer
True Blue
Posts: 830
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2008 3:34 pm
Location: South Africa

Re: Fordson Dexta hydraulics

Post by Mervyn Spencer »

Hi Joshua,
I'm glad you have opted to order the manual. Unfortunately I have not quite mastered uploading pictures yet. If you are not yet uploading to a site on the web, you can try Postimage.org, where you have to upload your pictures to their site and from there onto the forum. Mathias please can you help Joshua to post pictures on the forum I'm still having a bit of difficulty and don't want to lead him up the wrong path.
Thanks for letting us know where you live, as you have just found out where Les lives. I'm surprised that members don't show which country they live in. :wink:

Regards Mervyn.

Dexta J
Not Quite Blue Yet
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2019 8:44 am

Re: Fordson Dexta hydraulics

Post by Dexta J »

Hi Mervyn,
Thanks for the link. Here is a picture of our Dexta - https://postimg.cc/V0R7r3Xq
Hopefully it works.
Not sure of year or anything. Where do I find that info?
Joshua

Mervyn Spencer
True Blue
Posts: 830
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2008 3:34 pm
Location: South Africa

Re: Fordson Dexta hydraulics

Post by Mervyn Spencer »

Hi Joshua,
your tractor looks cool you have really been artistic :clap:
Let me check on the forum, its a long time ago that I checked my codes. I'll get back to you.
Mervyn.

Mervyn Spencer
True Blue
Posts: 830
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2008 3:34 pm
Location: South Africa

Re: Fordson Dexta hydraulics

Post by Mervyn Spencer »

Good morning Joshua,
You will find out how to identify your Dexta on the "Fordson Wiki site" to the right of the "Fordson Forum site on the home page". The sign in name is fordsontractorpages and the password is dotty, once in scroll down to "How to identify your Dexta" open the file and you will find all you are looking for.
Mervyn.

Dexta J
Not Quite Blue Yet
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2019 8:44 am

Re: Fordson Dexta hydraulics

Post by Dexta J »

Thanks for that Mervyn.
The bonnet is very usable, but I am on the lookout for an original one! The fog lights haven't been wired up for ages, but when they work, they are very bright!
Exactly what colour are the wheels supposed to be? About half of the Dexta's I've seen have white and the others are orange/red. Ford blue for the body and panel work?
That is actually my Dad sitting on the tractor! That was when we picked it up. We had never used a tractor before and were just working it out! The engine hunted terribly, and it might take a minute or more to start it. Now (with a good battery) it starts instantly and runs smoothly! Even our engineer said that it was a very good sounding engine!
How can I tell if it has a pneumatic or mecanical governor?
Joshua

Mervyn Spencer
True Blue
Posts: 830
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2008 3:34 pm
Location: South Africa

Re: Fordson Dexta hydraulics

Post by Mervyn Spencer »

Hi Joshua,
If that is your dad on the tractor you must be a young lad. :)
The engine hunting I believe is due to the governor, so that would tell me you have a pneumatic governor. Also check your pump number, it is probably something like 4588. The mechanical pumps have a 4696 number. If you go to section 4 of the email I sent you and look at fig.1 you will see a detailed illustration of the pneumatic pump. It is advised by the specialists on the forum that one should not attempt to do any repairs to the pump, as it requires precision settings and a clinically clean environment. You engine number should either commence with 14xxx or 16xxx.
I believe my dexta has a 1963 super dexta engine built in about June that year fitted to a 1961 chassis. I have painted my wheels orange and the rest will be blue, and just to please the oldies my grills will be silver. My orange I feel is not quite the right colour but a nice bright orange, the blue paint I'll be using is more like the earlier Ford 1000 series, also a nice brighter colour. As one of the old timers once said "Its your choice, paint it pink if that what blows your hair back".
Anyway good luck with your farming and hope to read more of your posts, and I hope I have been of some assistance, and if I have slipped up with detail some other member will assist. :beer:
Mervyn.

kiwimc
True Blue
Posts: 71
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2011 12:44 am
Location: Dunedin, NZ

Re: Fordson Dexta hydraulics

Post by kiwimc »

Hi Joshua, coming near Dunedin on your South Island trip?

Dexta J
Not Quite Blue Yet
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2019 8:44 am

Re: Fordson Dexta hydraulics

Post by Dexta J »

Hi,
Thanks for the info! As I said there is zero hunting now and it runs perfectly!
I have booked it a clutch replacement this week, so I'm hoping it goes well.
Yes, I'm 19. My Dad, Mum, 6 siblings and I moved out here to run a firewood business, so tractor fixing is always on the back burner.

I'm not the one going down South, Les is, but there is a old reed organ in Dunedin I was wanting to save, but wasn't fast enough and they tipped it.

I'll be sure to ask more in the future and thanks!
Joshua

Dexta J
Not Quite Blue Yet
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2019 8:44 am

Re: Fordson Dexta hydraulics

Post by Dexta J »

Hi Mervyn,
Just an update...I brought the steering box into our engineer's to find out why the new nut wouldn't screw on. Turns out that the box was full of dirt, rubbish and water, which explains why it wouldn't turn easily even when not under load! He cleaned it all out, removed all but one of the shims, polished the gears etc, and, using the original nut, made a ball race out of balls 4X larger, and it turns perfectly now! Of course, it isn't mounted yet, as I need to water blast the engine and G/box housing as it is all covered with thick grease! That must be where all the oil is leaking! I am thinking of painting the engine and bell housing for now, as Grant (the engineer) had the box properly painted which means it doesn't match!
We are sourcing an original bonnet and other parts for the Dexta at our local wreckers, and the guy at Sparex is very good and gives me good discounts which is very helpful! The radiator needs repairs too.
Hope I havent bored you yet...
Joshua

Mervyn Spencer
True Blue
Posts: 830
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2008 3:34 pm
Location: South Africa

Re: Fordson Dexta hydraulics

Post by Mervyn Spencer »

Hi Joshua, I can never get bored reading posts on the Dexta forum, such interesting points raise their heads. Joshua just a suggestion which will help hopefully, when ever you change topic like with your steering box issue start a new post for example "Steering box etc." A pity you are not close by I have a Dexta bonnet for nothing , I think off a 1961 Dexta, not to get confused with the nose cone.
Keep your stories coming always interested thanks.
Take care Mervyn Spencer.

Dexta J
Not Quite Blue Yet
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2019 8:44 am

Re: Fordson Dexta hydraulics

Post by Dexta J »

Hi Mervyn,
Thanks for that!
Today I found the serial number, buried under several layers of paint! 957E 53189 Do you have an exact date other than 1960?
Our local wreckers have a couple bonnets and nose cones, $250 NZD each pair. Going to have a look later next week. Too bad we aren't closer but can't change that...the forum is very helpful!
I found out that a roading contractor bought the Dexta, put a coat of yellow paint on it, then when we bought it, it was painted blue on top, which is all flaking! So I will be eventually painting it...
What primer do you use? I will be stripping down to bare steel or the last coat of paint that refuses to come off after a major wire brushing.
Joshua

Post Reply