Hello new to the site, and fairly new to tractors in general. I recently came across an excellent deal on an old fordson dexta and a few implements. Now I know it's going to need alot of TLC and thats not a big deal. From the searching I've done so far the serial number on the bell housing doesn't mach up with any lists I've seen so im not sure on the year. 957E89149 any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
The second and probably bigger issue is that it will only go into 4th and 6th gears? (To the left and forward in low and hi) And will only go into reverse in hi. Ive pulled the shifter cover off and tried shifting it with a bar thinking I might have an issue with the shifter itself. But when I let out the clutch it will act like the ring that slides into the selected gear has no bite. And just makes a grinding noise. Not sure if that is a common problem or even a possibility. Any input is appreciated.

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I don't know for sure. But I would think that if it did it would be more prone to working in different gears. Instead of only working in 4th and 6th. Or at least be more prone to not work in any gear at all.

Is it possible your clutch plate has a broken hub? It can happen.

Should the numbers match? Or will it just be a 3 digit code cast on each major part?

The shifters have had a repair done to them at some point. Someone brazed the ends of both shifters to add material to them.

Upon removal all selector rods were centered. I moved all 3 forward and backwards to make sure nothing seemed stuck or out of place. Then recentered and reinstalled the shifter cover. Then started the tractor and carefully moved the shifter to the right and forward. ( what I assume is first gear) eased out on the clutch, and the tractor moved forward about 2 inches then made a grinding noise (like if you were trying to shove it in gear without the clutch) and rolled back as if it had popped out of gear.
I then moved the shifter straight back ( to what I assume would be second gear) eased out on the clutch and again it moved forward a few inches then made a grinding noise and rolled back.
I then removed the shifter cover again and used a bar to select each gear. ( when seated on the tractor the left most selector rod moved backwards for 1st) Started the tractor and eased off the clutch. That gave the exact same result as before.
So I can only assume that there is an issue with the ring that the fork moves to lock each gear to the main shaft or possibly the fork itself.
I hope this makes sense. As I have a general understanding of how a transmission works I don't have much experience with tractors in general.

It does sound like you have gearbox problems and they are not the easiest box to work on. They have to be split in three places, the clutch housing has to come off the gearbox and the gearbox has to come off the rear axle. I had to do mine last year because a tiny roller bearing failed.

You really do need the workshop manual to attempt the job. Might be a good idea to drop the oil out and see if any bits come out. I stripped mine right out and did not find anything until I took out the final shaft. Mine would go into all gears OK but knocked like mad in 5th and 6th.

It is just a three or four digit code on all cast parts, the easiest one to see is with a series of numbers on the side of the gearbox. The numbers are meaningless except for the code itself.

The casting code is from a 1964 tractor which has a number for the year.

Looks like you have a 1961 Dexta but to be certain find the casting codes on the side of the gearbox, on the rear axle trumpet housings, on the clutch housing and on the rear axle housing. They will look something like A1B which gives the month, date and year.

Move all the selectors to the centre then put the top back on the gearbox, Dextas are known to wear the ball on the bottom of the gear stick and come out of the selector rails.

Post back when you are ready for more information.

Brian