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Carboy400

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I have a Fordson Super Major I just picked up. Everything works as it should other than the brakes. I need help identifying its exact year and where/how to get the right parts.
 
Serial number should be stamped on the right side of the block, at the front of the engine, just below the cylinder head, below the number 1
injector.

STARTING SERIAL NUMBER
1960 1578886
1961 1583907
1961 08A 300001
1962 08B 741001
1963 08C 945000
1964 08D 940000
 
All castings should have a code that tells the date it was made, these will be pretty close to the tractor date of manufacture. The easiest one to find is the one near the gear selector plate, it should read something like: 1A30 or even A1J.

The brakes are inboard disc brakes and are not the most perfect, they do need regular maintenance and are prone to sticking. You will need to remove the footplates then the endplates of the brake housings before you can get to the insides. Make sure all the actuators and shaft splines are clean and rust free, do not use any form of grease on reassembly, just dry graphite on the splined shafts.

There are on-line workshop manuals available which are really useful.
 
I got soon pictures of the only casting numbers I could find.
None of which match what you provided.

This post was edited by Carboy400 on 07/01/2021 at 06:27 pm.
 
(quoted from post at 18:26:06 07/01/21) I got soon pictures of the only casting numbers I could find.
None of which match what you provided.

This post was edited by Carboy400 on 07/01/2021 at 06:27 pm.
 
So I'm pretty sure I screwed up the previous reply and deleted whatever that person had posted, sorry. I'm adding pictures of the
casting numbers I have found on the tractor. I'm testing with one picture first. This is right side of engine just below the
cylinder head but centered on the block not towards the front as mentioned.
 

SkipperII

So these are the casting numbers I can find

1st is right hand side centered under cylinder head
mvphoto77826.jpg



2nd is left Hand front just behind the pulleys
mvphoto77827.jpg



3rd is Left hand just above the clutch pedal
mvphoto77828.jpg
 
Your first picture is of a mould code so is the same on most tractors.
Second picture is a casting code which translates as: December/28th/1960
Third picture code translates as: October/23rd/1959

So from those she looks original.


cvphoto93785.jpg


Engine number/serial number should be stamped under Number 1 Injector as shown in the picture.
 
@Majorman

I grabbed a picture of the casting boss where your number appears but that machined flat is blank on mine.


cvphoto93801.jpg
 
OK, we know for certain that your engine is a 1960 from the casting code so it looks like you have a very early Super Major. The engine in that is the same engine as fitted to the previous Power Major, in fact the only differences between the two was the Super had disc brakes where the Power had outboard drum brakes. The Super also had different hydraulics with Draft and Position control where the Power had the earlier straight up and down ones from the Fordson Major Diesel era. the Super also has a dif. lock.

Check for a serial number on an aluminium tag on the front of the firewall between the engine and battery box or check the clutch housing flange between the engine and clutch housing behind the starter.

The Super was introduced in October 1960 so it is possible that it slipped through without being stamped or it could have had a new block fitted and the number not transferred. The 1959 gearbox casting code could indicate that it had been laying around at the factory for a year which would not be unusual. The tractor is 60 years old and could have had a lot done to it in that time, it might even have had a Power Major gearbox put in, as I said, those items are all interchangeable right back to 1952.
 
So some of this is starting to piece together. This tractor has the drum brakes (see picture). My issue at this point is finding parts. I'm located in North Carolina US. As far as I can tell part availability here is slim. I am looking for resources so i can get the brakes in working order and reseal the rear half of the tractor as is it leaking about 1-2 gallons of hydro fluid through the axle seals every night.


cvphoto93833.jpg
 
OK, change my earlier posts, you do not have a Super Major you have a Power Major and a pretty late one if we believe the engine number. Brakes are not too bad a job, your local auto shop could possibly get them re-lined.

Half-shaft seals will require you to take the lift off, then the big nut in the centre of the gear. The outer seal housing will be peened into a grove around the housing, normally in three places, you can tap these out with a chisel. Once the nut is off and the seal housing loose the half-shaft will come out. It is very heavy. You will then need to press the bearing off to get the seal and housing off. You should also find a cork gasket between the seal housing and the axle, keep hold of this as, if one does not come with the new seal, then you will need to put it back. You will need a seal and a housing in my view. These are readily available here in England so if you have a problem contact Agriline.

The oil in the rear axle should be Tractor Oil Universal or possibly 90W, Hydrofluid as you say you have will be too light and not have the lubrication properties to lubricate the gears in the rear axle.
 
(quoted from post at 19:47:25 07/04/21) So some of this is starting to piece together. This tractor has the drum brakes (see picture). My issue at this point is finding parts. I'm located in North Carolina US. As far as I can tell part availability here is slim. I am looking for resources so i can get the brakes in working order and reseal the rear half of the tractor as is it leaking about 1-2 gallons of hydro fluid through the axle seals every night.


<img src=https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto93833.jpg>


Parts are available far more readily than 20-30 years ago. The internet is fantastic in that regard. Used to be the same way for David Brown. I've gotten parts from Canada, England, Ireland and India and they come darn near as fast as from the US. It just takes a little getting used to the idea.
 

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