Horse Power?

Jonathan (JJK Tractor Salvage)

Nebraska Tractor Test.

1 Standard PTO, FMD, FPM, FSM at 1200rpm
2 Raised PTO, FPM, FSM at 1600rpm
3 Standard and Raised PTO, New Performance Super, 1400rpm.

The early raised PTO type is the more powerfull and the early standard the least.

Also note that the NP FSM had a 4.375:1 diff ratio as opposed to 3.5:1. Drawbar horse power is dependant on wheel/tyre size, balast etc.

My friend has a 53 kero Major that he uses for pulling, it looks stock but the head is shaved, he shortend the rockers to give more valve lift and the rear tyes are of a Aussie ford 5000, 18.5by30. The carb is of a six cylinder Thames Trader truck. This thing way out pulls my Super Major ;-)

P-Major-- test # 685
Diesel
pto--47.7
drawbar--42.6
fuel cons.--15.5
weight--10,370
wheels--rubber
year--1959

S major test # 845
Diesel
pto--47.53
drawbar--40.2
fuel cons.--15.5
weight--10,845
tires--rubber
year--1963

I am far from being a expert on this subject and I am giving you info from what I am reading.
The super major and new performance super major were the same as the power major except for the incorporation of modern disk brakes, a live pto, and a differential lock. The lift also now had draft control. I also noticed that the RPM was raised 100. I do see your point it don't make sense to me. You would think that the HP would be much higher. Also with you being in England I was wondering if there are many 1929-1932 Cork, Ireland Fordsons there??
Jonathan (JJK Tractor Salvage)

There are quite a few at rallys and the occasional one up for sale in the vintage magazines. There are far more Model N's about.

Getting back to the Major discussion, there is another anomoly in the data. The weights quoted are way above the weights of the tractors.

The Major is quoted at 5010 lbs in the hand book so it looks like some 2000 lbs were added.

The Power and Super Major were also around the 5010 lbs in weight, in their case the weight was increased by over 100%.

Also the differences between the Power and the Super are quoted as axle and lift. By 1963 the engine had a mechanical governed pump, the Simms Minimec, and changes to the cam,valves and cylinder head.

It does raise questions of accuracy in the Nebraska reports. Or was the report doctored to show the Major in a poor light by one of the Yellow and Green boys? :0)

regards

Brian