I have no connection, and they are sorta close by but I have no room or money for these at this time so maybe some one here might be interested.
https://www.purplewave.com/auction/161109/item/L3334
https://www.purplewave.com/auction/161109/item/L3337
L3334 is an early one with the "ladder sides" radiator- a futile attempt at helping the core shed more heat. Lucky for me it is too far away...
A lot of those early ones went to England where they were plowing up the cemeteries (sometimes literally) to stave off starvation. The Ministry of Munitions ordered them, IIRC
And my paternal grandfather bought the second early Fordson sold in his county. Some of his mis-adventures with this tractor helped to drive him off the farm. Back to college, this time. Medical school
And L3334 has a very big chunk missing from the side of the block below the coil box. No doubt it froze.
I'm just going to pretend I never saw this...
So close and so cheap it will be hard!!!!
The ladder side Fordson went for $625. The other (second) one went for $275. The ladder side one seemed to be in worse shape, in particular in view of the chunk out of the side of the block. Why would it go for over twice the money? Are those original steel wheels particularly valuable?
If I recall the article in the Vintage Ford correctly, I believe that the ladder side feature is indicative of a very early model Fordson. One was donated to the MTFCA museum a few years ago.
The earlier Fordson is more sought after, just like a two-lever "T". Some folks just like the alpha version. The rear wheels are actually the second design with 7 spokes, the earlier version (1917-1919) was a 6 spoke design and they are highly sought after. Sometime in 1919 the wheels were strengthened by the addition of the extra spoke and the "ladder sides" radiator castings were replaced with solid units for the 1920 tractors. Both of these changes were carried forward until U.S production of the model "F" Fordson ended in 1928 and production was transferred to Ireland for the updated model "N".
Anyone know what kind if distributor is on the second tractor. Looks to me like it might be run off a governor shaft.
Ted,
Looks to me like all that is left of the magneto is the cap, most likely a Bosch DU4. the Magneto drive appears to be missing, most common are Jager magneto drives, they drove off the timer across the front of the engine.
Fordsons I don't believe came with governors until Cork and Dagenham production in 1927-28.
Like Model T's parts got swapped a lot, the "ladder side" has a Holly 295 from much later, and the one on "cutoffs" has and earlier Holly 234.
Both look like plenty of parts for another project.
I remember the Fordson's still being used after WW2,here in nw Pa. had large surplus bomber tires
I pulled the trigger on both of these hoping to make one runner out of the best pieces of the two. I don't follow the market for Fordsons so I suspect I paid too much for them but it seems they are at least worth the price as iron scrap.
Nice pair ones a ladder side it's 1918
Other appears late 24-27
Congratulations Gary! Looks like a fun project!
Keep us posted on your progress. Glad they could stay in state.
I will, right now though I've got to figure out how to get them transported to me here in KC.
For those who are interested I found this ad (Desert Classics) for this grey and red 1918 Fordson Model F ladder-sided farm tractor is a very scarce and desirable farm tractor ready to be restored. The ladder-side Fordson's are in great demand in the UK United Kingdom because of there historical significance during World War I. This Model F has a firewall casting date of November 22, 1918.
Happy motoring,
Warren
Gary - need any Fordson coil boxes ?
Steve,
I suspect so but I'll let you know after I get them back, hopefully tomorrow.
I have a timer that I got in a box of the parts that says ford's on tractor on it. I'll post pictures later if anyone can use it.it has a metal flex conduit that the wires that go to coil box
Picked up (literally) the two Fordson tractors today. Home safe and sound. Pics to follow.
Was in a hurry and only got one photo at the yard where I picked up the two Fordson's. The rubber tire converted one would not roll so extreme measures were called for.
Nose to tail on the trailer. But they fit
The one with the original steel wheels is still proud.
I tried to put all three pics in one post but only the first one and once the second one showed up in the preview. I gave up and made three separate posts. Where did I go wrong?
Gary, All the extra photos do not show up in the preview. They will show up as a note or description in the preview (not really sure of the proper term to use). I always post my first picture to the post Im working on, then it shows up in the area Im typing the text in, while making my new post. It shows up as a photo description. Then put the cursor just after the picture description and double space. That will move the cursor two lines down. That makes a nice space between each photo and they will line up one above the other when you post them. With the cursor two lines down hit "upload attachment" pick you photo and upload. After it uploads, the cursor will be at the end of the picture description you just uploaded. Double space to move the cursor down the two lines and then hit "upload attachment" to get the next photo. Just keep doing that for ever how many pics you want to load. I once did 153 photos in one post. I think I about reached the limit of how many can be loaded in one post, as they started loading very slow about 125 photos.
Thanks Donnie. I'll give that a try next time.