Overview
The Fordson E1A New Major is a 2WD farm tractor produced in Dagenham, England between 1952 and 1958. It was available with three distinct 4-cylinder engine options—all fuel, gasoline, and diesel—and features a 6-speed gear transmission and a Type II rear hitch.
Ideal Applications
Engine and Fuel Versatility:
This model was manufactured with three engine configurations: a 198.9 ci all-fuel or gasoline engine and a 220 ci diesel engine, all utilizing a 12-volt positive ground electrical system.
Tested Power and Pulling Capacity:
According to Nebraska Tractor Test 500, the diesel variant produced a maximum of 38.49 hp at the belt and 34.2 hp at the drawbar with a maximum recorded pull of 5,315 lbs.
Mechanical and Transmission Layout:
The tractor is equipped with a 6-speed gear transmission providing two ranges, manual steering, a 540 RPM transmission-driven PTO, and an 80-inch wheelbase.
Production
| Description | Built in Dagenham, England |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Fordson (a part of Ford) |
| Original price | $3,417 |
Engine
| Bore/Stroke | 3.74x4.52 inches (95 x 115 mm) / 3.74x4.52 inches (95 x 115 mm) / 3.937x4.52 inches (100 x 115 mm) |
|---|---|
| Compression | 4.61:1 / 5.5:1 / 16.0 : 1 |
| Coolant capacity | 12.4 qts (11.7 L) |
| Description | Ford / all fuel / 4-cylinder / liquid-cooled / Ford / gasoline / 4-cylinder / liquid-cooled / Ford / diesel / 4-cylinder / liquid-cooled |
| Displacement | 198.9 ci (3.3 L) / 198.9 ci (3.3 L) / 220 ci (3.6 L) |
| Firing order | 1-2-4-3 / 1-2-4-3 / 1-2-4-3 |
| Oil capacity | 7.2 qts (6.8 L) / 7.2 qts (6.8 L) |
| Rated RPM | 1600 / 1600 / 1600 |
| Starter volts | 12 / 12 / 12 |
| Oil capacity | 7.2 qts (6.8 L) |
| Engine type | Ford 3.3L 4-cyl all fuel / Ford 3.3L 4-cyl gasoline / Ford 3.6L 4-cyl diesel |
| Aux. fuel | 1.2 gal (4.5 L) |
| Engine type | Ford 3.3L 4-cyl all fuel / Ford 3.3L 4-cyl gasoline / Ford 3.6L 4-cyl diesel |
| Fuel tank | 18 gal (gasoline, diesel) (68.1 L) |
| Belt (tested) | 38.49 hp (28.7 kW) |
| Drawbar (claimed) | 30 hp (22.4 kW) |
| Drawbar (tested) | 34.2 hp (25.5 kW) |
| PTO (claimed) | 35 hp (26.1 kW) |
Transmission
| 10oF [-12oC]↓ | : SAE80 |
|---|---|
| 90o↔10oF [32o↔-12oC] | : SAE90 |
| 90oF [32oC]↑ | : SAE140 |
| Clutch | dry disc |
| Description | Three speeds, plus reverse, in two ranges. |
| Gears | 6 forward and 2 reverse |
| Oil capacity | 21.6 qts (20.4 L) |
| Oil type | 90oF [32oC]↑ : SAE140 90o↔10oF [32o↔-12oC] : SAE90 10oF [-12oC]↓ : SAE80 ([32oC][32o↔-12oC][-12oC]) |
| Transmission type | 6-speed gear |
| Type | gear |
Mechanical
| Cab | Open operator station |
|---|---|
| Description | Manual steering |
| Drive type | Two-wheel drive |
Hitch
| Rear Type | II |
|---|
PTO
| Rear PTO | transmission |
|---|---|
| Rear PTO Type | 540 |
Electrical
| Battery volts | 12 |
|---|---|
| Ground | positive |
Dimensions & Tires
| Clearance (drawbar) | 13.13 inches (33 cm) |
|---|---|
| Clearance (front axle) | 19.5 inches (49 cm) |
| Height (hood) | 57.35 inches (145 cm) |
| Height (steering wheel) | 63 inches (160 cm) |
| Length | 130.5 inches (331 cm) |
| Weight | 5,308 lbs (2407 kg) |
| Wheelbase | 80 inches (203 cm) |
| Width | 65 inches (165 cm) |
| Front tire | 7.50-16 |
| Rear tire | 14-30 |
| Weight | 5,308 lbs (2407 kg) |
| Wheelbase | 80 inches (203 cm) |
| Ag front | 7.50-16 |
| Ag rear | 14-30 |
Nebraska Tractor Test 500
| Belt fuel use (max) | 2.5 gal/hour (9.5 l/hour) |
|---|---|
| Belt power (max) | 38.49 hp (28.7 kW) |
| Description | Diesel 6-speed 2WDAugust 17 - 27, 1953Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 500 file / Drawbar performance / Gear 3 used for power test. / Gear 1 used for pull test. |
| Max power | 34.2 hp (25.5 kW) |
| Max pull | 5315 lbs (2410 kg) |
Nebraska Tractor Test 501
| Belt fuel use (max) | 3.3 gal/hour (12.5 l/hour) |
|---|---|
| Belt power (max) | 33.56 hp (25.0 kW) |
| Description | Gasoline 6-speed 2WDAugust 17 - 26, 1953Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 501 file / Drawbar performance / Gear 3 used for power test. / Gear 1 used for pull test. |
| Max power | 30 hp (22.4 kW) |
| Max pull | 5016 lbs (2275 kg) |
New Major Serial Numbers
| 1951 | 1217101 |
|---|---|
| 1952 | 1217104 |
| 1953 | 1247381 |
| 1954 | 1276857 |
| 1955 | 1322525 |
| 1956 | 1371418 |
| 1957 | 1412409 |
| 1958 | 1458381 |
| Description | FAQ: How to read a serial number table. |
| Location: | Serial number plate on the battery box bulkhead. Serial number cut into the flywheel flange on the left or the right side of the engine below the head (late models). (early models) |
References
| Description | New Fordson Major published in 1952 / Fordson Major Instruction Book published in 1954 |
|---|
Tractor Tests
| Description | NTTL 500: diesel 6-speed 2WD / NTTL 501: gasoline 6-speed 2WD |
|---|