Power Major

Im looking at a power major that has sat 20 years in a barn covered up. It is not running but has oil pressure when pulled in high gear. No attempt has been made to start it. Owner just pulled it out of barn and drug it around to see if it had oil pressure. Owners brother , now deceased, bought it 20 plus years ago and just parked it in barn. Nobody knows if it was running then or not, he has a couple tractors that they just bought and parked.
Im looking at it, interested in it even. But Im curious, Ive never been around these tractors at all. Can you still get parts for them, if so where, are they extra expensive or hard to find? Tractor is kinda rough shape after setting all those years and tires have 10% tread, wandering what it is worth? Or just over scrap price?
Is there anything I should check on it before making an offer?
Is it possible to check fuel pump with it not running? Can you still get a new fuel pump if it needs it, or can they be rebuilt?
Sorry for so many questions, it looks like a really strong tractor, that Id like to have, but I wanted to check here on its value and parts availability, Is most parts still available?
Thanks for any help.

That tractor is an absolute beast, will pull like a train, easy starter, simple to
work on and only built for two years. That is no problem as Ford developed the
tractor over a number of years from 1952 through to 1964 and 95% of the parts for
later tractors can be used on all the earlier ones. Parts here in England are pretty
easy to find and not too expensive as there were many thousands of Majors built and
the engine was also used in trucks and for industrial use. One of the best starting
diesels I have ever come across. Even in the coldest English day, they start on the
first revolution, if the engine is good.

I own an early petrol/kerosene version of that tractor with the same engine, just a
different head. She starts on the first pull of the handle if I want to demonstrate
how easy it starts. I have seen a tractor with a flat battery started with a rope
around the belt pulley as you would a lawn mower.

If you cannot find spares in the US then Agriline will ship over the pond.

Down side of the tractor, brakes are a bit poor but can be relined and I do not come
across too many worn drums. Brake cables stretch and break but not a major issue as
parts are available.

If it is a standard clutch, Hi on Hi/Lo down, again, pretty basic. You have to split
the tractor to replace it so need some good blocks and a jack. In my heyday, I have
put a clutch in one in around 1 hour, now it takes a bit longer :0(.

If it is a Live Clutch, Hi is up not down, it is a bit more complicated, the cost of
a replacement clutch is around 700.00 British pounds, roughly 1400 dollars, so that
would colour my offer if I suspected it needed a clutch.

Price can vary here from say, scrap to 800.00 pounds for a rough tractor up to
5000.00 pounds for a fully restored version.

Hope this helps.

I would be a little careful as, if the tractor has been dragged around, the engine
could have been stuck and the bores rusted , or the injection pump seized. Dragging
it around trying to get oil pressure is a bit of a NO/NO as it could have damaged
more than it helped. Get it running with some fresh diesel, do not worry if it
smokes a bit as long as that clears up. Fresh diesel with a pint of Automatic
Transmission Fluid mixed with in can work wonders.

Do not worry if you hear a loud clatter from the fuel pump drive when running, that
is a normal Major sound, they clatter even with a new coupling unless it has been
retro-fitted with a silent coupling from a truck.

Thanks for the information. Thats exactly what I needed to know. I was worried about the fuel pump, because Ive heard stories about what you mentioned, messing the pump up by dragging them. But at least now I know that I can get parts.
It looks like a beast that could pull anything.
I think Ill make an offer on it, and try to get it, if I can get it reasonable. After all, it is a non runner, and could have a pump problem. Ill see what I can do. But I sure like the looks of it, its made super solid by the looks of it.
Thanks again

Sorry, another question, this tractor has a 70s Chevy power steering pump mounted to it. I guess to replace the original, should that be ok, you know work the steering good enough?
Thanks

That one has a brother that pulled at the PIONEER Steam and Gas Engine show in Saegertown ,Pa.
You notice tractors like that ! At Least I do .
You going to get it ?
Im sure you can get it going , just need someone to coach you along. Also ! You just need to commit to the project ,going to get it going no
matter what .

The Saginaw p/s pump will be fine.

If you don't hear a loud clatter from the pump drive, it's probably not running!!

I think you fellow have talked me into trying to get it, the owner is out of town on business for a week or two, so Ill have to wait till he returns to discuss pricing. But Im going to make an offer anyway. Ill let yall know what happens.
Thanks for all the replies.