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Starting a Fordson?

Turning it off? - I'm Learning - I Think!

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Rog

04-06-2003 22:03:05




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I inherited a early 50's Fordson Major Diesel. Probably will sell the old girl before too long because I'm not much of a diesel man, or have a whole lot of interest in Fordsons, plus have a McCormick Deering on the way, but I must say that the Fordson does seem to be a decent built tractor with some nice features. It had been sitting for over two years, checked the oil & threw a battery in it just to see if the starter worked and to my suprise it started right up. Not knowing anything about this tractor, I didn't have a clue how to turn the darn thing off & not knowing if had coolant in it or not I didn't want to run it very long. With out even thinking I frantically unhooked the battery! (Like that was going to do any good!) Finally found the pull switch to kill it. Turns out it had coolant, so no big deal. Also learning about what I assume is the glow plug button to start it?? Odd it started right up, without holding this button down before cranking it over??? but it was fairly warm out that day though. I assume one is to hold down on the button for a little while before cranking it over?? Is one to release the compression from the engine to start it? Mine has never started by doing this, but then again I wasn't pushing the glow plug button at the time either. Also one other thing, the key is broken off in the switch, and not sure what position the switch is on. I havent touched it or changed the position of the switch since I got it. Will it drain my battery down eventually if the switch is left in the wrong position? It has no lights of any sort. Hope I don't sound like a complete idiot here, as I have been & worked around a lot of tractors, but never Fordson Diesels. I'm, kind of in the dark here. Just learning from my own experience so far on it. Been interesting to say the least!! Enjoy those Fordsons!

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Navy Man

04-07-2003 13:17:10




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 Re: Starting a Fordson? - Turning it off? - I'm Learning - I Think! in reply to Rog, 04-06-2003 22:03:05  
I have a Fordson Major Diesel as well. Mine has no glow plugs as far as I know. To start on a warm day, simply hit the starter. For a cool or cold day, there are a few tricks. One, on the linkage between the throttle and the injector pump there is a little button. Push that button and it changes the timing and makes it easier to start. The second trick is, on the front of the engine there is a lever. This is the compression release. When the lever is up there is no compression and the engine will just spin. On a really cold day, have someone working the compression release while you engage the starter. When the engine is really turning, engage the compression and it will fire right up. If you do decide to use this tractor, you will never find a more reliable tractor.

P.S. Where is the button you think is the glow plugs?

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th

04-09-2003 06:12:47




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 Re: Re: Starting a Fordson? - Turning it off? - I'm Learning - I Think! in reply to Navy Man, 04-07-2003 13:17:10  
Navy Man, did you mean the button in the fuel injector pump where the kill switch is connected? It does not effect the engine timing but it will force extra fuel to the injectors while starting.

Rog, the key switch (on/off) is there only for the starting system. When the key is turned off the starter won't engage. The lights and everything else works regardless of the position of the key. There should not be any current leakage when the key is turned on. And the button you were pushing is the horn button (as someone already said). It seems that your horn isn't functioning. There are no glow plugs in that tractor. The diesel engines are killed by shutting off the fuel delivery and that is what the pull switch is for (it has to be pulled in for the engine to run). When the compression release lever is up the engine has a low compression and will not start. However in some specimens the lever mechanism is so worn that the engine will start because the lever will return down while cranking.

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Navy Man

04-09-2003 13:45:03




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 Re: Re: Re: Starting a Fordson? - Turning it off? - I'm Learning - I Think! in reply to th, 04-09-2003 06:12:47  
Yes, I did mean that button. I was told by a diesel mechanic who used to run my machine that it changed the timing, but what you said actually sounds more probable. On the subject of the compression release, like I said, it takes two people when the tractor is in good condition.
Do you have one of these fantastic old machines, th?



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th

04-11-2003 06:07:10




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Starting a Fordson? - Turning it off? - I'm Learning - I Think! in reply to Navy Man, 04-09-2003 13:45:03  
Navy Man, yes I have a Fordson Major Diesel 1955. I got it for free a little time ago and it had been sitting for a couple of years. It is now under restoration, not complete but I'm repairing everything and will paint it eventually. I haven't yet got a chance to actually drive it. But I'm waiting anxciously.



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th

04-09-2003 06:16:10




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 Re: Re: Re: Starting a Fordson? - Turning it off? - I'm Learning - I Think! in reply to th, 04-09-2003 06:12:47  
In my reply above I said "it has to be pulled in for the engine to run". Of course I meant to say "PUSHED IN" not "pulled".



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Rog

04-07-2003 21:00:51




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 Re: Re: Starting a Fordson? - Turning it off? - I'm Learning - I Think! in reply to Navy Man, 04-07-2003 13:17:10  
Thanks for that starting info Navy Man, That will help a lot. I was kind of thought that the button I was pushing was not really doing anything. I don't have a clue what the button is for. It is located kind of between the oil pressure & heat gauge. It's the kind of button that will only stay in if you hold it, otherwise it is out, so I don't know what it is. Maybe it's the "Panic Button"!



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Navy Man

04-08-2003 14:49:56




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 Re: Re: Re: Starting a Fordson? - Turning it off? - I'm Learning - I Think! in reply to Rog, 04-07-2003 21:00:51  
I'm glad I was able to help. I have started mine in 10° (F°) weather with snow and ice coming down. It fired right up. Another piece of advice: if you live here in the U.S., go to your nearest New Holland dealer and get the battery they recomend. With that battery, it should start in 20°(F°) weather without using the compression release. About the button, I don't know what it is for, because on neither my Major nor Super Major does it do anything.

If you were wondering about a FMD's power, mine has dragged the head off a combine that weighed 2400 lbs without a problem, and with power to spare. I also drag a 14 ft disk with mine.

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Brit.1

04-07-2003 07:06:39




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 Re: Starting a Fordson? - Turning it off? - I'm Learning - I Think! in reply to Rog, 04-06-2003 22:03:05  
Are these the most reliable old tractors or what,will run forever on a tankfull of diesel,what a shame for all of us that ford decided to get out of the tractor game.made by your closest allies in U.K.



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Rog

04-07-2003 21:07:27




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 Re: Re: Starting a Fordson? - Turning it off? - I'm Learning - I Think! in reply to Brit.1, 04-07-2003 07:06:39  
You are right Brit.1, from what I can tell these Fordsons were built like a tank. I was really amazed that mine started right up after sitting out in the elements un covered for two years.
Heck of a tractor, I don't have any thing to pull, but when that old girl is in low range & 1st gear I think it would be a real stump puller.
That diesel engine kind of grows on a guy too.



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ray caron

04-08-2003 07:44:34




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 Re: Re: Re: Starting a Fordson? - Turning it off? - I'm Learning - I Think! in reply to Rog, 04-07-2003 21:07:27  
rog,that button your pushing is a horn button,fordson had the horn from 52-57-59,some where in those years,my 61 super major doesnt have a horn however,my 52 petrol gas has one.it is located in front of the fuel tank on left hand side..hope that helps.



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