Fordson F

Like the old saying about slick cars - they look like they are moving even when they are sitting still ...

Forsdon Fs look like they are flipping over backward even when the are sitting still :)

We've been running Fordson F's in our family for over seventy years, and not one flip-over yet! Not even a serious rear-up.

The biggest reason people had trouble with the front end coming up is that they hooked onto the rear differential above the axle/center of gravity, NOT on the drawbar (which is *below* the axle) like one is supposed to.

A firearm is an extremely dangerous tool that is a sure killer -- *IF* it is not used cautiously and as intended. A tractor is no different.

Ford began selling fenders as a option (for $35 extra) around 1920 or so, because this myth of chronic overturning persisted. (The fenders portruded behind the F sufficiently to fetch up on the ground if the tractor reared up.)

Tim in MA -- come on up to Maine & I'll let you test-drive my 1926 F. They are a neat old machine. Not powerful (only 10 HP @ drawbar, 20 on the belt) or versatile (Ford never manufactured any implements for it, but instead relied on Oliver, Roderick Lean and others) -- but it always draws a lot of interest.

There -- this concludes my rant!

-- Maine Fordson.

The Fordson Model F was one of the best-selling tractors of all time; during its ten years of production in the United States, nearly three-quarters of a million were manufactured. In 1923, over 75% of all tractors sold were Fordson F's. Unfortunately, Henry Ford was not interested in innovation or agricultural implements, and the once-novel design became antiquated as soon as Farmall and Deere showed up with implements (cultivators, etc.) that could be mounted on the tractor itself. (The Model F was basically a mechanical horse, pulling implements that were originally designed to be drawn by the beasts it replaced.)

American farmers were a thrifty bunch, and found that since the design had not changed all that much, parts from a 1921 tractor would fit on a 1926 tractor, and many parts were interchanged to keep the old tractors in service. You'll often find a Fordson F with parts that are not original to it.

So, while you *may* have a Model F, it's more likely that it's a Model N (which was what the tractor morphed into once the production tooling was moved to Ireland in 1928 -- Ford needed the room in Detroit to roll out the Model A automobile).

The rollers were often purchased by cities and towns to build and repair roads; this was because Fordson tractors were plentiful and cheap, and just about every town of any size had a Ford dealership where spare parts could be found quickly. If there is one wide roller in the front (approx. four feet wide), it was used as a road roller. If there are four separate rollers (i.e., one roller approx. a foot wide where each wheel should be), it was used to pull a gang mower on a golf course or city park.

If you can take a few pictures it will be easier to address any specific questions you may have.

I tried to send you an e-mail, but I've been having tons of problems using this site's "spam-free" e-mail service -- in my experience, it's been an e-mail free service. (Anybody else out there been having this problem?) Try me using the "send mail" feature in this box -- maybe it'll work for you.

Hope to hear from you.

-- Maine Fordson