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Fordson Major start sequence and electrically question

F

Fordson Major Mark III

New User
I'm new to the tractor life.

I purchased a 1957 Fordson Major Mark III diesel tractor with an after-market backhoe, and large loader. It started and ran after a rebuilt starter, and 2 new 6-volt batteries. Now, I can not get it to start. I pulled the "dash" and repaired the plunger switch, and taped up several damaged wires.

1. I am hoping someone knows where the glow plug gets its power, as I didn't made a diagram before I started, and don't see where it reconnects.

2. I'm also looking for directions on the steps needed to start the tractor. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I'm tryin to locate a owners and service manual. Any ideas?
 
I'm not familiar with Power Majors having a glow plug. Are you sure the fuel shut off at the back of the injection pump is being pushed
forward by the stop cable. Some times they bend, sometimes they break, and sometimes the outer cable housing slips in the clamp, or the set
screw that holds the cable to the arm on the injection pumps slips. I have also seen the crimp on the shut off cable, under the lower dash
slip. See if you can move the stop arm forward manually at the injection pump. For cold weather starting there is a little button on the
pivot of the shut off arm, Move the throttle to wide open, push the button, then reset the throttle to about 1/4 speed. A note of caution,
don't start a Major, standing beside them, if they are in gear, and conditions are right, they will start before you can jump clear.
 
As Skipper says, glow plugs were never fitted to any of the Major range, they were the best starting diesel engine I have ever come across.

There was never a plunger switch in the dash panel either, all the Majors used a lever on the left with a metal rod leading down to the starter motor which engaged the pinion then activated the solenoid via a switch mounted on the starter.

Sounds like you may have a highly modified Major and a picture or two might help us get an idea on what you have. Someone may have fitted a later starter with the solenoid mounted on top and modified the wiring to suit with a push switch in the dash panel.
 
I will check the injection pump, I initially marked, then unhooked the wire so that I could remove the two part dash. I hooked up the wire and the cable, but have yet to secure the dash. I will move the stop arm forward manually, at the injection pump to see if I can get the engine to turn over. I see if I can locate the button and follow your procedure. That's for the word of caution.

Does anyone have an electrical schematic for the 1957 Fordson Major?
 
I assumed that what I was looking at was a glow plug, From the dash, there is a 18 gauge wire that runs on the right side of the engine. It ends at the top of the value cover gasket, to what might be an oil sending unit?

I pushed the metal rod down, and also electrically checked the pinon. Still no luck. I will try to send a photo. Thanks for the help. I have multiple modifications made by the previous owner, yet the tractor remains a remains a positive ground 6-volt system. The previous owner just had the starter rebuilt. The previous owner started it by rolling 2-feet forward and it always started up.

I had to park it on a slight incline, thus the backhoe and shovel are firmly planted and unable to roll start.
 
You do not have a six volt system, all Majors are 12 volt.

Your Glow plug in that position is possibly a modified temperature
sender.

cvphoto102388.jpg


This is your wiring diagram and I would suggest you find a tractor
hand book on line ASAP.
 
Great advise, I will get an owners and service manual ASAP. I have two six volt batteries wired in unison, so assumed it was a 6 volt system. I straightened the rod and made sure the cut off pull switch was reinstalled correctly. I also ran down every wire and removed damaged wires or taped them up. I cleaned the starter cable and reapplied.

It started and ran great. Thanks for all the help, a manual will be found ASAP.
 
Great that you have it running and starting. The early Majors, 1952 to 1957, had a massive single 12 volt battery that weighed a ton, the one in my father's Major lasted around 12 years. The replacements were very heavy duty six volt batteries wire in series to give 12 volts and these worked very well too.

Operators handbooks come up often on e-bay, if you have a problem drop me an e-mail, I will get one and post it on to you as some sellers do not post to the US. I get things for my Australian friends too.
 
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