Unusual New Major on fleabay

essex pete · Post by **essex pete** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 7:13 pm

This might interest some. What is the box covering the drop arm?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/fordson-major-rai ... 1e59322692

John · Post by **John** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 10:22 pm

There seems to be the same fitment both sides. Don't think it was standard, so probably something to do with it being a test machine. Hydraulics?

Kav · Post by **Kav** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:19 am

Hi Pete - I think it is just part of the cab arrangement, to seal the floor and pedal areas. You can see where there have been doors on both sides hinged from the centre panel, and the boxes are the door step and there is a lower step to climb up. I have seen a similar thing in a photo years ago. It could also have been an experimental tractor. Best regards - Michael

Post by **Brian** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:16 am

That is certainly an interesting tractor. The extra metal is indeed part of the StayDri Cab.

Would have thought it spent its life at Boreham rather than Dagenham as a test tractor or it could have been a "factory shunter".

Dagenham used tractors in the factory coupled to trains of four wheel trailers, to clear waste. In my time it was 3610,s with no/low cabs and I was teaching people straight from the employment exchanges, who had never seen a tractor, to reverse those trailers in and out of the massive support pillars on the production line, amid the robots and many thousands of pounds worth of new cars under production. Interesting times.

essex pete · Post by **essex pete** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:49 pm

Ah yes I can see that now. Should have looked more closely. Unusual rear wheel and p/steering. When was the latter first offered as an option?
Was then Staydri offered and fitted by the dealer?

Dandy Dave · Post by **Dandy Dave** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 3:11 pm

Looks like the same power steering that is on my Power Major. Power steering was an option that was offered in the brocher that I have for these tractors. Dandy Dave!

Post by **Brian** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 5:10 pm

Power steering was an option as far back as 1952 according to the parts book. Staydri cabs were dealer fitted.

We offered Winsam, StayDri and Lambourne but the most common of these was the Lambourne.

StayDri were a more difficult one to fit as they seemed to have differences in each panel when it came to fitting them. You had to put the cab together on the tractor and then drill the mounting holes.

From an operator point of view they were a swine to get into when you had your heavy coat on. Doors were a funny shape.