The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

So it’s probably no big surprise that I have been building a Doe in the back of my head for several years now.
I few weeks ago we picked up a New Holland 545D 4X4 with a loader for my uncle Kenny as he wanted to upgrade from his Super Major with a loader, and he has now decided to donate his Super to the Doe project! And actually no big surprise here ether as we have been talking about it for a while now and I have been on the lookout for a matching Super. So yesterday we went for a drive to track down a lead I had on one, Jackpot!
It’s an early Super as is Uncles with the Vacuum governor, and the serial # is only 6 months apart.
The owner tells me its been sitting for nearly twenty years and doubts that it will start, we checked oil and a few things, threw a battery in it and got it to spin over with lots of white smoke while the valves were released. We then closed the valves and tried to start it, lots of smoke and a little of an effort but with that old fuel it just didn’t want to go. Out came the can of starter fluid, a little whiff and she came to life, and ran, and after a few minutes she ran quite well, hitting on all four real solid and having a good bark to it when I hit the throttle. OK so a purchase is in the future and a Doe is starting to transform.
But here is my dilemma, this guy has five Majors that he wants to sell me! Two complete tractors and three parts tractors, and even the scrap ones have a goodie or two on them that I could use, power steering, DAR valves, raised PTO, etc. I have some serious thinking to do, can I afford all this stuff, do I need it, how am I going to get it home, it’s a 6 hr round trip. And most importantly, how am I going to be able to hide all this stuff from the wife!

Pat

The Super


A 53ish, wide belt, straight vertical pump, hand crank, but the block has the serial # behind the pump.


Super Major


Super Major


Power Major

I'll help you with the finance by buying the raised pto, pat

BearCreek Majors wrote: But here is my dilemma, this guy has five Majors that he wants to sell me! Two complete tractors and three parts tractors, and even the scrap ones have a goodie or two on them that I could use, power steering, DAR valves, raised PTO, etc. I have some serious thinking to do, can I afford all this stuff, do I need it, how am I going to get it home, it’s a 6 hr round trip. And most importantly, how am I going to be able to hide all this stuff from the wife!
Pat

It all depends on how much HE wants for it all, and how much YOU want to pay for it all.
I hope you settled on a price for the Super before you started it
The dream is building the Doe, not the bringing home of the 5 Majors.
You the man for the job.
You keep the Super that now goes, You get going and sell the other complete tractor to cover costs, and the spare parts tractors will all go back into your stores dept, to make up for the parts you used on your Dads Major rebuild recently.
Kiwi Kev

ps If you can't hide 5 majors in that big shed of yours, how are you going to hide a Doe
Granny will be fine. Just tell her the Doe will be another tractor to add to the life insurance policy and that your building the Doe for her grandkids.

Buy them all. You never know what parts you might need.
A few years ago i build a 21st century doe out of 2 new performance dextas. Turned out well so there is no reason why this project shouldnt work for you.

This kind of problems I would also like to have

If they were in my neighborhood and scrap price they would be in my yard right now. No wife to tell me no. Maybe that's why I divorced one who thought she could change me years ago. She thought she would get me a job at Wall Mart. LOL... Every girl I ever had, I layed on the line for them right away. I buy Stuff, I drag it home. Sometimes it sits for years, but I have made money with 90 percent of it in one way or another. If you do not like the way I make my living then move on while you can. The gal I have been with for a long time now knows it is just a common thing around here and that I'm not going to take any crap about it. Don't like it, there's the door.

I could use a ball joint cover or two off of a Power steering unit if there is a spare or two in that pile. Thanks, Dandy Dave!

Tell the wife Pat exactly what you are going to do, or there could be consequences or repercusions, involve the grandkids, say they want a Doe too, how can she argue with the grandkids??? All you need now is another shed for all the majors...

Dandy Dave wrote:
I could use a ball joint cover or two off of a Power steering unit if there is a spare or two in that pile. Thanks, Dandy Dave!

Forgot about them! Will look tomorrow

Still haven’t decided what to do, maybe get the Super and one or two of the parts tractors. I can borrow a flatbed to hook to the back of our semi tractor but I don’t think I can get all five of them in one load.
Regardless I need to find some money before I can do anything. I dug the Harley out of the barn yesterday and its going up for sale.
And Granny’s suggestion probably made the most sense, sell the bike, buy the super and one parts tractor and the money left over can be spent on the Doe.

Jim, we need to see some pictures of your Dexta Doe!

Pat

Yup, I rather drive a Fordson than ride a Harley any day . The PS covers are sheet metal. I can take a photo if you need it. Thanks. Dandy Dave!

here you go then

Hi Pat
if you get the Doe built you could make some money selling me a set of plans .
My buddy up the road has been on about doing one for a couple of years . last time He talked about it I told him I would donate the 2 complete majors from my junk pile and help him do it , if he got all the steel and machining of parts sorted . when he left here that night he was pondering selling his full restored E27N P6. I haven't spoken to him since. But another one might be in the making in the next few years if he comes through with the money .
Regards Robert

scoobyjim wrote:here you go then

Quite a project!
Have you still got it?

very nice

yes i still have it, doesnt do much these days though, dont seem to get time.

Very impressive Jim, it looks like a hell of a fun toy! How long did it take to build from start to finish?

Pat

A few years on and off because i got that fed up at times with ideas not going to plan so i kept leaving it to do other things. It works through electro hydraulics so wasnt a case of just copying a major doe. It was all different to everything else and all from my head.
It pulls extremely well with both driving but not so good with just the back one as most of the weight is on the front tractor.

Fun sorting all this stuff from your head. Can drive a man battey, but the end result is well worth the effort. Nice job. Dandy Dave!

scoobyjim wrote:A few years on and off because i got that fed up at times with ideas not going to plan so i kept leaving it to do other things. It works through electro hydraulics so wasnt a case of just copying a major doe. It was all different to everything else and all from my head.
It pulls extremely well with both driving but not so good with just the back one as most of the weight is on the front tractor.

How do you operate the gears and clutch on the front tractor? Electro-hydraulic?

Clutch works off back pedal through master/slave cylinder
tractor hydraulics work the cylinders to change gear

Turn table



Solenoid valves for gear change


Cylinders to move the selectors with micro switches to identify the selected gear


And the joystock to operate the solenoids. forward 1st, back 2nd, left 3rd right reverse. small switch hi low. digital readout on right that tells me which gear is selected

ScoobyJim
So, on the rear tractor, you change gears using the gear levers, and on the front unit the gears are selected by the joystick that is mounted on the rear tractor? correct!
Certinainly a mind bender working all that out.
Fantastic job.
Kiwi Kev

Exactly right. takes a bit of getting used too

Dazzeling the crowd with Brilliance you are Matey. Dandy Dave!

Jim, How do the throttles work? There's no hand throttle visible on the rear tractor.

Using the existing throttle lever on the right they are linked with cables.

Glad everyone likes it. Had mixed reviews. Some people saying it spoils two dextas but i dont care. I wanted to see if it was possible and it was.