Fordson MOM
Built: 1917–1918 · Series: X-Modelle
Fordson MOM: water-cooled four-cylinder tractor from the early X models running on kerosene or paraffin, 4,119 cc, 14.3 kW, built 1917 to 1918
Fordson was the tractor brand of Henry Ford & Son, which in 1917 launched the mass-produced Model F in the United States, giving rise to the first truly mass-market tractor in history. The MOM from this early line was built in 1917 and 1918 and ranks among the oldest Fordson models.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The MOM is powered by a water-cooled four-cylinder engine of 4,119 cc, designed to run on kerosene, paraffin or petroleum, producing 19.4 hp, or 14.3 kW, at 1,000 rpm. At a weight of 1,163 kg, a length of 2,590 mm, a height of 1,400 mm and a width of 1,550 mm, with a wheelbase of 1,600 mm, the machine reaches a top speed of 11 km/h.
Running on kerosene or paraffin instead of petrol was a common solution in the 1910s, as these fuels were cheaper and more readily available in rural areas; the low engine speed of 1,000 rpm and the modest top speed are typical of a tractor from this early period, when drawbar pull for the plough and mounted implements mattered far more than travel speed.
When buying such an old Fordson secondhand, the condition of the cylinder head and cooling system, given an engine designed for kerosene operation, and visible corrosion on sheet-metal and frame parts after more than a century, matter most. Also worth checking is whether the clutch, gearbox and brakes still function; spare parts for such an early model are now practically only available through collectors and restorers who specialise in vintage vehicles.
Sources: SpecCodex-Register: Kennwerte des Modells Fordson MOM
Technical data
Engine
| Fuel | Kerosin/Paraffin/Petroleumcorrect |
|---|---|
| Power | 19.4 hp (14.3 kW)correct |
| Rated speed | 1,000 rpmcorrect |
| Cylinders | 4correct |
| Displacement | 4,119 cm³correct |
| Bore | 101.6 mmcorrect |
| Stroke | 127 mmcorrect |
| Cooling | water-cooledcorrect |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 2,590 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,550 mmcorrect |
| Height | 1,400 mmcorrect |
| Wheelbase | 1,600 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 1,163 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | rear-wheel drivecorrect |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 3 V/1 Rcorrect |
| Forward gears | 3correct |
| Reverse gears | 1correct |
| Front tyres | Eisenrädercorrect |
| Rear tyres | Eisenrädercorrect |
| Top speed | 11 km/hcorrect |
Origin and approval
| Construction | unit construction (no separate frame)correct |
|---|
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 12.3 kW/t (14 kW / 1.2 t)
Power class: Compact (< 40 hp)
Stronger than 7% 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 MOM have?
The Fordson MOM delivers 19.4 hp.
How much does the Fordson MOM weigh?
The unladen weight is 1,163 kg.
What engine does the Fordson MOM have?
4 cylinders, 4,119 cm³ displacement, Kerosin/Paraffin/Petroleum.
How fast does the Fordson MOM go?
Top speed is 11 km/h.
What are the dimensions of the Fordson MOM?
2,590 mm × 1,550 mm × 1,400 mm.
When was the Fordson MOM built?
Production years: 1917–1918.
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.
We do not sell machines. We ask the dealers who carry this model and come back with price and lead time.
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This page carries 23 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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Sources: [1]
Tractor in 3D section
Turn the model, look inside and click an assembly — each one is explained.