My Dexta Experience

[Tuco88]

Hi all,

I recently purchased a Super Dexta as a project. I have got around to getting a few extra bits for it.

A swinging drawbar being one, but I am having a little trouble installing the ‘pivot’ part of the hitch. I removed 2 fixings for what was a shaft for the break mechanism.

The new part that goes in place is a ‘post/housing’ with 4 holes and a ‘key’ part that fits into the tractor body. My issue is where does the shaft for the breaks go? It looks like it should pass through the 2 holes but would clash with the pivot pin?

I’ll hopefully figure out how to upload a few pictures.
P.S I don’t have a farming or mechanical background..

Thanks

[Billy26F5]

Some pics will help (see this: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5024&p=53955#p53955), sounds to me like you might be in the wrong holes. The anchor bracket goes quite far forward, roughly under the hydraulic pump, the support bracket reaches further back than the PTO bearing retainer.
Sandy

[Tuco88]

Thanks for the reply Sandy.

I’ll have a few pics up tomorrow.

[Tuco88]

I hope this works…

https://postimg.cc/gallery/GmDCD3F

If more pics are needed it’s no problem. I am a not sure what to do with the shaft that is part of the braking mechanism.

As the bracket for the pivot pin takes 4 of the fixings.

Thanks in advance.

[Billy26F5]

That's on the wrong way round. Fit the two drawbar brackets first then fit the cross shaft to the forward two holes for the support bracket (where you seem to have suitable studs already in). The cross shaft is for the handbrake, the RH side attaches directly, the LH side has a loose part to allow for steering brakes. You need to adjust a screw on the LH side to ensure both brakes come on at the same time with the handbrake lever. Pics were fine, I normally prefer using the hotlink for forums option.
Sandy

[Tuco88]

Thanks for the help Sandy, greatly appreciated.

It looks like a previous owner added a piece to the cross shaft bracket for something. You can see in the first pic, I was comparing the part to the original parts manual, so I’ll remove those and paint it, I’d like it to be as original as possible.

So my understanding is correct, The cross shaft mounts to the two studs on the picture with my hand (they would be the two holes closest to the front of the tractor) id imagine it would clash with the bar any other way?

Again thanks, as I don’t have a mechanical/farming background. I’ll post a picture when I’ve it complete and hopefully it’ll be correct.

Thanks,

[Billy26F5]

I see that, probably worth getting those off otherwise there might be interference with the drawbar. The anchor bracket is ahead of this cross shaft, in the first pic there's one of the support bracket studs visible, with the support bracket on then put the cross shaft on those. The pull rods to the brake levers should have an angle not unlike that of the drop arms on the steering box in the straight ahead position.
Sandy

[Tuco88]

Thanks for the expertise Sandy.

I’ll keep you posted on how I get on.

[Tuco88]

Just giving an update on how much I got on, might help another person.

I just need to attach the handbrake sections, I hope I have it on correct Sandy

https://postimg.cc/gallery/yNHLn6z

A previous owner must have re-tapped the 4 hole fixings for the drawbar plate under the rear axle. As they are 3/4 UNF thread unlike the 4 on front bracket, that are smaller UNC? I got bolts instead of studs, I thought are a better job.

Thanks again

[Billy26F5]

All looking good. All holes were originally 5/8" UNC, so it does seem yours were opened out, and indeed originally it would have been bolts.
Sandy

[Tuco88]

Thanks again for the help Sandy, much appreciated.

I was lucky enough to purchase the Dexta about 3 months ago. Wanted a Dexta or Major for years but never had the storage until now

Currently after adding a toolbox and rear licence plate holder with original style light.

I should probably start another thread on this but I plan to service the tractor from front to back. Just want to make sure I have correct oils got (can be a hot topic apparently from reading ) I also ordered service manuals (hard to beat a physical copy in hand)

I do have a small leak on the PTO/Clutch shaft. This looks to be a seal and bush from research online. I’d like to try this myself as I don’t think it requires any speciality tools? And the infamous gear selection. (Purchased a new gear lever set but I’ll have a mechanic look a possibility adding a little weld etc. I’ve the “feel” for the gears now so it doesn’t happen so much but I’d like to improve my n it anyway.

I’ll post the bell housing serial number I’d be interested on opinions on this. It was restored about 10/15yrs ago questions on colour etc..

[Billy26F5]

All sounds good to me. I would have gone for the weld too. Serial numbers are always interesting. Remember Dexta's also have an engine number on the block.
Sandy

[Tuco88]

Just an observation I have noticed Sandy, Under the fuel tank where the two arms for the steering box area. Is there supposed to be panels here (Noticed 4 tabs for 4 fixings on each side) I have looked at a lot of pictures online and the majority don’t have them.

If so is anyone selling

I’d like to put a battery isolator is there a typical location for one used?

Thanks,

[Billy26F5]

Those plates (E22-LA-9 and E23-LA-9) are available new, don't know if they're any good as I'm slill hoping to find Davie's original ones. As for the battery isolator it depends on what you want exactly, but here's what Davie has (fitted a long long time ago, although we did replace the isolator itself a good 20 years ago!):


Sandy

[Tuco88]

Cheers again, I’ve ordered a pair so I’ll let you know what they are like. She looks like a fine original example of a Dexta

I take it we are not allowed to mention places we have ordered parts from?

That’s not a bad location at all. I’ll have to make a bracket to hold the isolator though (well the type I have)

Cheers,

Tuco

[Billy26F5]

I don't think anyone has particularly avoided that, and with Major spindles for example it's quite valuable as errors still appear with them and it's well worth knowing that to avoid making the mistake and also force the suppliers to use Ford specs for all their parts (which is all we really need them to do in the first place).
Davie is indeed in great condition. Having the isolator there is great as you can operate it from the seat, very useful with dodgy batteries and all the more if you loose the key!
Sandy

[Tuco88]

Hi Sandy,

I purchased those side panels, they’re decent quality so I’m happy with what I got, just need to paint them. Cheers again

The think I owe you something at this point for all the help
https://postimg.cc/gallery/kJgJ1h1

I’ve been looking in more detail about the serial numbers on my Dexta.

The serial number on the bell housing is 09C-9(Odd triangle shape)2712
From research the odd triangle is a zero it appears on some major serial numbers too I think?

My engine is A269, Serial Number 1425962.
And the cast no behind the pump is C0280098F

From what I gather 09C would be a 63 year Super Dexta? Davie is a 63 also?

[Billy26F5]

Your serial number is 09C-902712, from early mid January 63. The engine is much much older, from late January 59. The casting code suggests 26 January 59. Haven't found a monthly list for engine numbers yet but that number fits the casting code roughly, I think the engine might be February or even early March 59. It's a Dexta engine, so you wno't have Super Dexta power.

And the cast no behind the pump is C0280098F

That number doesn't really say much, as it's a part number of sorts (not a Ford one).
There is no real way to tell if yours is actually a Super Dexta without looking in the gearbox and rear axle. The easiest place to check is in under the top cover, a Dexta has 10 splines on the secondary output shaft and drive pinion, a Super Dexta has 14. Glad the covers are good, at least I know they'll do if we can't find Davie's ones. Davie is much later in 63, mid May in fact.
Sandy

[Tuco88]

I partly guessed something was replaced on the tractor. It looks like an injector pump from a super Dexta has been fitted alright? Interesting, everything has a story to tell.

Is that the top cover where the gear lever is or under the drivers seat.

Cheers again Sandy.

[Billy26F5]

Dexta's also used minimecs, but only from 09B-710530. From 09C-913383 the NP tractors were out, with Super Dexta's having a different pump (P4696, in place of the P4588 used on all previous tractors and still used on the NP Dexta). Minimecs will fit on earlier timing cases, so it's very possible they just swapped the injector pump and possibly other parts to fit. Such a job however had to have thre pump recalibrated, Super Dexta's have 11 cc for 200 injections, Dexta's have 9.2 cc. The pneumatic pump has 10 cc and the P4696 has 12 cc. What casting code does the head have (visible through the oil filler, see here: viewtopic.php?p=57515#p57515)? The top cover has the hydraulics in it.
Sandy

[Tuco88]

It looks like it’s a Dexta with parts replaced so Sandy. I’d love to know what year it actually was. She’s the wrong nose cone and colour so (must have been a previous owners restoration attempt)

I’d like to have it look they way it was meant to be whatever it is

https://postimg.cc/gallery/3yB5K6V

It’s a “T” Sandy, well I mistakenly had taken the 09C os the bell housing and the P4588 to be an early super Dexta. Furthermore it has a super Dexta nose cone and advertised as one I’ll get that back over off n the next few days to count the spindles.

I have attached a few other pics of the casting numbers Sandy, it must have had a hard working life for all the changed parts.

Cheers for your expertise again Sandy.

[Billy26F5]

Although performance wise it's a Dexta, without seeing the splines in the rear axle we can't know. If it seems overfuelled recalibrate the pump. Codes here:
Gearbox 11 December 63
Bell Housing 16 October 62
Head Only see it's December, possibly 58 but you need to check that. There are codes on the rear axle, top cover, axle housings as well, and some other parts also have dates. I see the injector pump is stamped B, not sure what that means. The pump has a serial number too, that can help as well.
Can't really say what it is yet.
Sandy

[Tuco88]

Well Sandy this has been very interesting. But I’ve looked over for more dates and codes. I’ll leave out the 957E part unless it’s required. I’d be interested to see what you think and if I’m on the right path?

Engine

No: 1425972 (We know it’s definitely a Dexta)
Head Casting code: T 11 2 (1952?)
Block C0280098F A 26 9 (Jan 26th 59?)

Fuel pump “B” P4588 the only other code I could find on it was FM 27998?

Bell Housing

Serial No: O9C-02712. (Feb/May 63)
M16H (Nov 11th 63?)

Gear Box

3M11. (Nov 11th 63?)

Diff housing

I can only vaguely make out 957E-402 T1, should then case date be in the same area. I’m unable to see anything else.

Valve assembly area

M or N* 29 H (Oct/Nov 29th 62)

Rear Axel

LH side B15J. (Feb 15th 63?)
RH side A31J. (Jan 31th 63)

It does have a small foot pedal just back of the break pedals. From understanding this is a diff lock and an optional extra after 61?

[Billy26F5]

It looks like the injector pump is suitable for the serial number on the bell housing. Davie is 38166. The number you were referring to is 957E-4025, but that's a part number. The casting code on that is quite hidden, ahead of the RH brake lever. Looks to me like several parts have been replaced, but don't consider it a Dexta unless you confirm the splines on the pinion, although as long as you keep suitable parts segregated you should be ok without knowing. Diff locks appeared from November 61 and were standard.
Sandy

[Tuco88]

Thanks for the all the input Sandy, you’ve educated me on Fordson Dexta’s that’s for sure!

I’ve to sort the two seals on the PTO/Clutch pedal shaft. So when I get to that, I’ll take the top plate off and have a look in and report with my findings.

Yes it does. Someone has put a lot of effort into keeping the thing going. I’ll put a picture up of the overall tractor. It’s a pity because the nose cone is for a Super Dexta, rims/mud guards are grey(white). The paint work on the Bonet/Nose cone/fuel tank and rear mudguards has been excellently painted. She starts on the button and not a puff of smoke. But I’ll look into the back and see, still a cracking little tractor. I’ll start a few servicing jobs first to get familiar with that.

Ah okay, I didn’t know it was a standard option, was it the dual position clutch was an option so?

On a side note are the Majors like the Dexta’s with regarding parts and serial numbers or more straight forward?

I’d like to get a power major down the road.