Fordson Major Diesel

[Ralph wd45]

I have left a bid on the Capital press Aucton, (online)on a 48 hp Fordson Major tractor. It has 16 spd's foreward and a creeper gear. I dont know anything about the fordson majors, but wanted something with a creeper, to roto till with. If it climbs too high, I will drop out. Is there any older ford, massy fergeson, or fergeson, tractors that go slow enough to use a small tiller? Something cheaper to buy, like $2500 to $3000? I really dont need a 50 hp tractor.

 

[JNP]

They dont have a good reputation but I believe that the Select-O-Speed Fords had a creeper gear. Due to that reputation they can sometimes be bought cheap.

 

[Ralph wd45]

I see several fords with sherman trannys advertised,and fergeson TO 30's. I have no Idea if these have a slow speed or not, but they are plentifull here in wa.

 

[awhtx]

Unfortunately the Sherman aux transmission is installed ahead of the main transmission and therefore the PTO speed is reduced along with the ground speed.
As previously stated a Ford with a good SOS would suit your needs.

 

[RodinNS]

The cheapest thing you're going to find in that vintage that could run a tiller would be an 850 or preferably an 860. First gear in the 5 speed should be plenty slow. We hardly ever used anything below third in ours because they were geared so damn slow.
If you want creeper gears in anything of that vintage you're looking for something with a Howard auxillary transmission and those are quite rare... thus quite expensive.
Sherman over/under transmissions were front boxes on the 4 speed transmissions and they simply turned the whole transmission either faster or slower... thus they effect the PTO speed in the same manner... so they don't do you any good with the tiller. The Howard box is a rear/aft mount of the transmission designed for tiller work...
Your best bet is really to just bite the bullet and buy a decent 3000 or 4000 with an 8 speed and then you'll have lots of cogs to work with.
I'd also have to wonder about exactly what transmission this major has... It's probably another aftermarket devil that's even more idosyncratic than a Major... and probably more difficult to get parts for.

Rod

 

[Old Ford Mechanic]

I have an 861 Ford and a 35 Massey Ferguson Deisel With a 3 speed foward hilo range transmisson.1st.gear in the five speed 861 tranny to me is too fast for my 5'tiller.The Massey however with the hi-lo tranny does a great job with the tiller.1st.or 2nd. gear on the low side is where i like to run.The 861 will handle the tiller ok but,Its just a bit faster than i like to move.A post 1965 2-3000 Ford with a standard hi-lo range tranny would also be a good chice.

 

[Ralph wd45]

Thanks for the education guy's,The fordson Major has a Howard gear box, and I am supposing that is why it is advertised as a creeper gear. I now understand what I am up against, and will look for something with a Howard, or just buy a newer rig. Tractor House .com is my friend! I really dont want to get into the selectospeed bag. Too many of them went the way of the IH, TA trannys!

 

[blue_tractor_man]

I have a 1964 Ford 4000 with a 5 speed and 1st gear is just a tad too fast unless the ground is already broken up good. I wish it was a little slower.