Fordson New Major (E1A)
Built: 1951–1958 · Series: Major
More machines from model year 1951
Not the right version? The data comes from vehicle registers holding many near-identical versions side by side. Photograph the data plate — we read make and type from it. Open the scanner e-mail address required
Fordson Major – British Post-War Tractor From 1945 to the 1960s: four- to six-cylinder engines with 19.9 to 38.6 kW (27 to 52.5 hp), 3,610 to 4,728 cm³ displacement
The Fordson Major began in 1945 with the E27N model and was developed through several generations: the New Major (E1A) from 1951, then the Power Major from 1958. Over this span, engine output in the register grew from 19.9 to 38.6 kW, with models rated in horsepower spanning 27 to 52.5 hp, using four- to six-cylinder engines with displacement from 3,610 to 4,728 cm³.
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Recorded operating weight runs from 1,842 to 4,189 kg, wheelbase from 1,956 to 2,032 mm. Top speed of the listed models spans 8 to 22 km/h, typical of tractors from this era without gearing designed for road use.
The Fordson Major was one of the most widely used post-war tractors in Britain and many export markets, and it served as the base for numerous conversions, such as County or Roadless four-wheel-drive kits. For historic examples, the exact variant matters most: engine, gearbox and hydraulic system differ considerably between the early E27N and the later Major model years.
During this period, the Fordson Major was also characteristically available on the British market with carburettor engines running on petrol or the cheaper tractor vaporising oil (TVO, listed in the register as Petroleum), alongside the diesel version; the TVO system needed a preheated carburettor and a small petrol tank for cold starting, as the oil would not vaporise reliably in a cold engine.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Fordson Major
Technical data
Engine
| Fuel | dieselcorrect |
|---|---|
| Power | 40 hp (29.4 kW)correct |
| Rated speed | 1,600 rpmcorrect |
| Cylinders | 4correct |
| Displacement | 3,613 cm³correct |
| Bore | 100 mmcorrect |
| Stroke | 115 mmcorrect |
| Cooling | water-cooledcorrect |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 3,314 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,651 mmcorrect |
| Height | 1,610 mmcorrect |
| Wheelbase | 2,020 mmcorrect |
| Ground clearance | 495 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 2,070 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | rear-wheel drivecorrect |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 6 V/2 Rcorrect |
| Front tyres | 7.50-16 ASFcorrect |
| Rear tyres | 11-36 AScorrect |
| Top speed | 22 km/hcorrect |
Origin and approval
| Construction | unit construction with subframecorrect |
|---|
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 14.2 kW/t (29 kW / 2.1 t)
Power class: Compact (< 40 hp)
Stronger than 25% of the tractors in the register — out of 15,663 models with a stated power figure.
Calculated from the documented figures above — not a rating.
Frequently asked questions
How much power does the Fordson New Major (E1A) have?
The Fordson New Major (E1A) delivers 40 hp.
How much does the Fordson New Major (E1A) weigh?
The unladen weight is 2,070 kg.
What engine does the Fordson New Major (E1A) have?
4 cylinders, 3,613 cm³ displacement, Diesel.
How fast does the Fordson New Major (E1A) go?
Top speed is 22 km/h.
What are the dimensions of the Fordson New Major (E1A)?
3,314 mm × 1,651 mm × 1,610 mm.
When was the Fordson New Major (E1A) built?
Production years: 1951–1958.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
- Check front and rear tyre sizes: mismatched pairs strain the drivetrain.
- Shift the gearbox cold and warm — jumps only show up at temperature.
- Load the hydraulics and watch for sag.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
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This page carries 21 individual figures for this model. They come from 1 recorded source; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
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Other models in this series
County-Mark IV
E 27 N
E 27 N-D
MAJOR
MAJOR 2032
MAJOR 2032/58
MAJOR DIESEL/M 57
MAJOR mark 2
Major 1954
Major 1956
Major 52
Major County super6SF-4X4/1800-63
Sources: [1]
Tractor in 3D section
Turn the model, look inside and click an assembly — each one is explained.