early major winch tractor

woodman · Post by **woodman** » Tue Sep 21, 2010 9:56 pm

hi, i have recently bought a very early major with a darlington winch which is chain driven from the pto shaft. i think it was originally a petrol parafin model as the fuel tank has the filler hole blanked off for the internal petrol tank. it is fitted with a later (1957) diesel engine. she has no v5 and the firewall no. plate is missing, has anyone been issued with an age related reg. off the casting codes? the two i can find are A18T on the gearbox housing and A31T under the seat, jan 1952? shes a bit rough round the edges but everything works (apart from the brakes,scary!) and i plan to make her look more presentable without going mad as i want to use her in the woods to pull timber out. i will post some pics when i can get one of my kids to show me how

i'm more at home with rusty dirty bits of metal than computers! cheers andy

Post by **Brian** » Wed Sep 22, 2010 7:38 am

Welcome to the board Andy. What a pity she has been changed, she would have been the earliest tractor of that type we have heard of.

You should have a number under No 1 injector or behind the starter. You can use this along with the casting codes to get her registered but go through one of the clubs like NVTEC.

I think that the authorities are only concerned if major changes to use have taken place. Pictures of the tractor at work made my registration easier, along with pictures of the casting codes.

woodman · Post by **woodman** » Wed Sep 22, 2010 5:05 pm

thanks for the welcome brian. thats exciting to think she's a bit special although a bit unoriginal. i expect the conversion took place a very long time ago, at least it meant she survived this long. engine no. is 1433919, cant find one near the starter, would an age related no. be based on this ie 1957? the air filter has the pre filter under the bonnet but also has provision for one on the top, should it have two or can i blank it as at the moment it is just open? any replies would very welcome, andy

Post by **Brian** » Wed Sep 22, 2010 5:34 pm

It was either/or, it was either under the bonnet or through the bonnet. Most of the early tractors were under the bonnet.

I would suspect they would go with the 1957 number although if you explain it to your agent, they might be able to get the earlier one based on the casting codes.

Check thw Wiki, I have posted pictures on there of their location.

fordsontractorpages and dotty will get you on there from the home page or there is a link in "Misc" topics.

woodman · Post by **woodman** » Sun Oct 03, 2010 5:20 pm

Just going to attempt an upload of a picture.....

woodman · Post by **woodman** » Sun Oct 03, 2010 5:25 pm

wow it worked, wonder if i'll be able to do it when my computer literate mate is'nt here!

woodman · Post by **woodman** » Sun Oct 03, 2010 5:50 pm

heres the winch, anyone know anything about these? all i know is it was made by darlington engineering i would guess in the early fifties, any info would be greatly appreciated, cheers andy

henk · Post by **henk** » Sun Oct 03, 2010 7:35 pm

Nice winch Woodman,
Mine was sold new with a winch, but it was already gone when I purchase the tractor.

woodman · Post by **woodman** » Sun Oct 03, 2010 8:31 pm

thanks henk, it looks like it should make the front a bit light but she only pulls a wheelie if you let the clutch out a bit sharp! steers nicely with no wobbles and i've sorted the brakes and brake pedal lock now which inspires a bit more confidence

next on the list is a good service, which oil filter do i need with the 57 engine as there seems to be an early and late type? when i changed the filter on my mates super major it had nearly sucked itself inside out! i dont think it had been changed for a while

cheers, andy