Fordson Major lost power today... troubleshooting

RockMtn · Feb 2, 2015

Hi All,

I have a Fordson Major which I use for plowing.

Today, started up fine @ 0F using a heater on the engine;

Plowed twice moving plenty of snow;engine running great.

Third time I went to plow (early afternoon) I noticed my power level was dropping about 1/3 through the run, came back to house.

By the time I parked her would ONLY run at a clean "idle" even with throttle lever in full throttle position.

This evening I tried a restart and couldn't get a clean idle, eventually died.

Thoughts? Based on my reading on this forum:
*Check air cleaner for water/ice (no air)
*Check Diaphragm for tears

The only other "simple" thing I'm considering (always look for simple fixes first!) is that its low on diesel, perhaps 2-3 gal remaining in tank, I saw that as potential issue in manual.

Other thoughts? its too cold to work on now, but want to be ready to repair on a warmer day.

Thanks!

jdv · Feb 2, 2015

Possibly your fuel is gelling. Another thought if your fuel tank is that low you might have to switch to the reserve mode on the fuel shut off under the tank. Majors have a built in reserve in the tank it is opened by the fuel cock, I can't remember how many turns, but it should say on the fuel cock, may have to scrape paint oil of to read it.

Robert Major · Feb 3, 2015

Hi, seems like your smart enough to figure air,
blockages and pump diaphragm type stuff. It
could be the pump racks sticking. Go grab the
stop cable arm and move it by hand. Can you
feel resistance as you move it from run to
stop, and does it return on it's own. you might
have to remove the cable to do this.
If you think it's the rack sticking make sure
the outer of the pumps clean. Remove the side
plate and oil up the rack bar and parts in
there. ( KEEP EVERYTHING CLEAN). and gently
move it back and forth to free it up, they will
get rust on the ends where the bushings are.

Do not reef on the rack hard with a screw
driver or adjust any settings in the pump. I
have done a few of these pumps and got lucky
freeing them up. These tractors will run fine
then the next day they won't start or run rough
and it's that rack sticking.

I did have one once where the socket/ guide bar
on the diaphragm end plunger, where it goes
into the vacuum housing, to adjust the governor
sensitivity fell apart and jammed the rack and
stopped it floating free to.
Regards Robert

RockMtn · Feb 3, 2015

Robert,

Thanks for the insight on that; I think I read a little bit about that on here already and will look to that as my next step.

JDV: good point on gelling/ and or reserve, I hadn't considered that.

I'm going to fill up the tank this week with fresh fuel & then on Sunday when its supposed to be about 30 I will try and get her running. Checking rack will be my first step after air intake.

Ill report back if I have success... or not.

I have only owned this tractor for a few months, but so far, really like it. Engine was rebuilt a few years ago and generally seems in good shape. This was an odd problem a I basically "lost" the ability to throttle up, while otherwise running very well and clean up to that point. Leads me to believe it might be related to one of the two points raised already-- hope so!

I'm sure the designers of these things would be thrilled to know that folks are running them 60 years later-- and that folks can get equipment advise online through technology that wasn't even imagined when these were built!

RockMtn · Feb 6, 2015

For those that are curious, the issue was frozen water in the air filter. It appeared my water than oil!

Love this design w/ no consumable filter. Brilliant.

I cleared out the ice, put in fresh oil, and now more power than ever. Also got to finish plowing!

Thanks for the help everyone

Robert Major · Feb 6, 2015

Hi Thanks for the follow up, It's nice to hear as
not many guys let us know. everybody gave you good
answers to the usual problems. I'm glad it only
cost you a little time and some oil. pump works
expensive on those old girls if you need it, and
can find a guy to do it right.
Regards Robert

Fordson Major lost power today... troubleshooting

RockMtn

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jdv

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Robert Major

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RockMtn

New User

RockMtn

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Robert Major

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