Fordson Major: The Tractor of Choice

By Josephine Roberts
Published on January 28, 2013
1 / 11
The most unorthodox Fordson Major conversion of all time, this Doe Triple D created a powerful four-wheel drive tractor at a time when no other high powered tractors were commercially available here. Later Ford tractors were converted into Triple Ds, but the Fordson Major was the first to receive this bizarre, yet somehow blindingly obvious, conversion. Necessity is indeed the mother of invention.
The most unorthodox Fordson Major conversion of all time, this Doe Triple D created a powerful four-wheel drive tractor at a time when no other high powered tractors were commercially available here. Later Ford tractors were converted into Triple Ds, but the Fordson Major was the first to receive this bizarre, yet somehow blindingly obvious, conversion. Necessity is indeed the mother of invention.
2 / 11
My partner, Alistair’s, 1961 Fordson Super Major. The Fordson E1A, the Fordson Super Major and the Fordson Power Major all look very alike in their bright blue livery. There are small differences between these tractors, but all are commonly referred to as “The Major” over here.
My partner, Alistair’s, 1961 Fordson Super Major. The Fordson E1A, the Fordson Super Major and the Fordson Power Major all look very alike in their bright blue livery. There are small differences between these tractors, but all are commonly referred to as “The Major” over here.
3 / 11
My nephew Matthew is the proud owner of this Fordson Major. It might look like a regular Major, but look closer and you can see that the bonnet has been lengthened to house a much larger engine. The previous owner made a tidy job of fitting this 1958 tractor with an engine out of a Ford D1000 Tipper lorry, thereby creating a beefy tractor powerful enough to tow heavy loads and work on wet land.
My nephew Matthew is the proud owner of this Fordson Major. It might look like a regular Major, but look closer and you can see that the bonnet has been lengthened to house a much larger engine. The previous owner made a tidy job of fitting this 1958 tractor with an engine out of a Ford D1000 Tipper lorry, thereby creating a beefy tractor powerful enough to tow heavy loads and work on wet land.
4 / 11
Many manufacturers used Fordson Major tractors as bases for creating their own specialist machines. This Major, owned by John Cooke, North Wales, has been given a four-wheel drive conversion by Roadless Traction Co. 
Many manufacturers used Fordson Major tractors as bases for creating their own specialist machines. This Major, owned by John Cooke, North Wales, has been given a four-wheel drive conversion by Roadless Traction Co. 
5 / 11
A group of tractors related to the Fordson Major, owned by avid collectors Arthur and Margaret Jennings, Flintshire, Wales. Left to right: a Fordson E27N (the first Major); the Standard (or Model N Fordson), a hugely popular tractor here during World War II; and the Fordson Dexta. A keen ploughman, Arthur ploughs competitively with this little Dexta.
A group of tractors related to the Fordson Major, owned by avid collectors Arthur and Margaret Jennings, Flintshire, Wales. Left to right: a Fordson E27N (the first Major); the Standard (or Model N Fordson), a hugely popular tractor here during World War II; and the Fordson Dexta. A keen ploughman, Arthur ploughs competitively with this little Dexta.
6 / 11
Roadless produced tracked conversions for tractors, and Fordson Majors were popular subjects for such adaptations. This particular Roadless Half-Track Major that I’m pictured sitting on belongs to Alan Kelly, Anglesey, Wales, a massive fan of unusual Fordson Major variations. The half-track conversion provided excellent all-terrain capability with the handling ease of a wheeled machine. However, the advent of four-wheel drive tractors rendered these machines rather redundant.
Roadless produced tracked conversions for tractors, and Fordson Majors were popular subjects for such adaptations. This particular Roadless Half-Track Major that I’m pictured sitting on belongs to Alan Kelly, Anglesey, Wales, a massive fan of unusual Fordson Major variations. The half-track conversion provided excellent all-terrain capability with the handling ease of a wheeled machine. However, the advent of four-wheel drive tractors rendered these machines rather redundant.
7 / 11
An archaic-looking Fordson E27N. When they were new in 1945, these tractors were known as Fordson Majors, but once the Fordson E1A came out it became the new Major and the earlier Major was simply referred to as the E27N.
An archaic-looking Fordson E27N. When they were new in 1945, these tractors were known as Fordson Majors, but once the Fordson E1A came out it became the new Major and the earlier Major was simply referred to as the E27N.
8 / 11
This Fordson Major-based pylon tractor (owned by Alan Kelly) was adapted by a power company for use in construction of power lines and poles.
This Fordson Major-based pylon tractor (owned by Alan Kelly) was adapted by a power company for use in construction of power lines and poles.
9 / 11
Alistair replacing the clutch on his Major.
Alistair replacing the clutch on his Major.
10 / 11
Alistair’s Major, split ready for its new clutch.
Alistair’s Major, split ready for its new clutch.
11 / 11
This Fordson Major, belonging to my brother Pete, has undergone a “County” full-track conversion.
This Fordson Major, belonging to my brother Pete, has undergone a “County” full-track conversion.

Fordson tractors have been here in the U.K. for so long now that we consider them our own, though of course their roots belong in the U.S. with your very own Mr. Henry Ford. The first tractor that was widespread here in the U.K. was the standard Fordson, or the Model N as it was also known.

Although there are examples in the
U.K.
of the earlier Model F, those are rarities. Ask most farmers of a certain age
what their first tractor was, and it will almost always be either the Fordson
Model N or the later Ferguson.

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