Fordson Dexta
The Fordson Dexta is a tractor produced by Fordson. It is equipped with a 133.5 ci 2.2 L engine. The listed engine power is Diesel (listed): 32 hp / 23.9 kW. Transmission: 6 forward and 2 reverse. Operating weight: 2980 to 3300 pounds.
Engine Power
Diesel (listed): 32 hp / 23.9 kW
Fuel & Capacities
Gasoline
Transmission
6 forward and 2 reverse
Operating Weight
2980 to 3300 pounds
Overview
 | 1958 - 1961
Utility tractor |
|---|
Production | |
|---|---|
Manufacturer | Fordson (a part of Ford) |
Utility tractor | |
Built in Dagenham, England | |
The gasoline version of the Dexta was produced in much smaller numbers than the diesel verion. The Dexta was sold in the United States as the Diesel 2000. A narrow model (52-inch width) as well as an industrial model, and a Dexta Special (Germany) were made. | |
Fordson Dexta Transmission | |
|---|---|
6-speed | |
Transmission details ...  |
Fordson Dexta Power | |
|---|---|
Engine | 32 hp
23.9 kW |
Drawbar (claimed) | 23.0 hp
17.2 kW |
PTO (claimed) | 31.41 hp
23.4 kW |
Plows | 3 |
Drawbar (tested) | 27.03 hp
20.2 kW |
PTO (tested) | 31.41 hp
23.4 kW |
Performance test details ...  | |
Mechanical | |
|---|---|
Two-wheel drive | |
Manual steering | |
Differential mechanical expanding shoe brakes | |
Open operator station. |
Hydraulics | |
|---|---|
Pump flow | 4.42 gpm
16.7 lpm |
Tractor hitch | |
|---|---|
Rear Type | I |
Power Take-off (PTO) | |
|---|---|
Rear PTO | transmission |
live optional (2-stage clutch) | |
Rear PTO Type | 540 |
Dimensions & Tires | |
|---|---|
Wheelbase | 71 inches
180 cm |
Weight | 2980 to 3300 pounds |
Front tire | 5.50-16 |
Rear tire | 12.4-28 |
Full dimensions and tires ...  | |
Electrical | |
|---|---|
Ground | positive |
Battery volts | 12 |
References | |
|---|---|
 | |
Fordson Dexta Diesel Tractor published in 1961 | |
Super Major och Dexta published in 1966, by Ford |
Engine
Engine options | |
|---|---|
Ford-Perkins 2.4L 3-cyl diesel | |
Standard 2.2L 4-cyl gasoline |
Engine Detail — 144 ci / 2.4 L Diesel
Manufacturer | Ford-Perkins F3.144 |
Fuel Type | Diesel |
Configuration | 3-cylinder, liquid-cooled |
Displacement | 144 ci
2.4 L |
Bore/Stroke | 3.50x5.00 inches
89 x 127 mm |
Power | 32 hp
23.9 kW |
Air cleaner | oil bath |
Compression | 16.5:1 |
Rated RPM | 2000 |
Torque | 93 lb-ft
126.1 Nm |
Torque RPM | 1200 |
Firing order | 1-2-3 |
Starter volts | 12 |
Oil capacity | 7.66 qts
7.2 L |
Oil change | 100 h |
Coolant capacity | 9 qts
8.5 L |
Intake valve clearance | 0.010 inches*Hot
0.254 mm |
Exhaust valve clearance | 0.010 inches*Hot
0.254 mm |
Engine Detail — 133.5 ci / 2.2 L Gasoline
Manufacturer | Standard Vanguard |
Fuel Type | Gasoline |
Configuration | 4-cylinder 8-valve, liquid-cooled inline |
Displacement | 133.5 ci
2.2 L |
Bore/Stroke | 3.425x3.622 inches
87 x 92 mm |
Compression | 6:1 |
Firing order | 1-3-4-2 |
Starter volts | 12 |
Coolant capacity | 6.9 qts
6.5 L |
Sparkplug | Champion L10 |
Sparkplug gap | 0.031 inches
0.787 mm |
Intake valve clearance | 0.010 inches
0.254 mm |
Exhaust valve clearance | 0.006 inches
0.152 mm |
Oil capacity | 7.2 qts
6.8 L |
Oil change | 200 h |
Transmission
Transmission — 6 forward and 2 reverse
Gears | 6 forward and 2 reverse |
Clutch | dry disc |
 | |
Dimensions
Fordson Dexta Tires | |
|---|---|
Ag front | 5.50-16 |
Ag rear | 12.4-28 |
Ag front | 4.00-19 |
Ag rear | 10-28 |
Dimensions | |
|---|---|
Wheelbase | 71 inches
180 cm |
Length | 118.5 inches (diesel)
300 cm |
121 inches (gasoline)
307 cm | |
Width | 64.5 inches
163 cm |
Height (steering wheel) | 54 inches
137 cm |
Height (hood) | 46.5 inches
118 cm |
Clearance (front axle) | 21 inches
53 cm |
Clearance (rear axle) | 12 inches
30 cm |
Fordson Dexta Weight | |
|---|---|
Shipping | 2980 lbs
1351 kg |
Operating | 3300 lbs
1496 kg |
Ballasted | 6000 lbs
2721 kg |
Tests
Nebraska Tractor Test 684 | |
|---|---|
Diesel 6-speed 2WD
February 28 - March 16, 1959
Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 684 file | |
PTO performance | |
Power at rated engine speed | 31.41 hp
23.4 kW |
Fuel use | 2.0 gal/hour
7.6 l/hour |
Power at rated PTO speed | 26.07 hp
19.4 kW |
Fuel use | 1.6 gal/hour
6.1 l/hour |
Drawbar performance | |
Max power | 27.03 hp
20.2 kW |
Fuel use | 2.0 gal/hour
7.6 l/hour |
Gear 3 used for power test. | |
Max pull | 4,362 lbs
1978 kg |
Gear 1 used for pull test. | |
Photos
Early Fordson Dexta
Late Fordson Dexta
Early Fordson Dexta
Early Fordson Dexta
Early Fordson Dexta
Early Fordson Dexta
Fordson Dexta operator station and controls.
Recommended Implements & Sizing Guide
Engineering recommendations for Fordson Dexta based on its 32 HP power envelope and ASAE agricultural standards.
| Implement & Operation | Recommended Size | Workload Rating | Engineering Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Moldboard PlowPrimary Tillage | 2 to 3 Bottom (14-16")2 - 3 铧 (35-40 cm) | Medium Duty | Standard utility farm tillage. |
Rotary Cutter / MowerMowing & Clearing | 5 ft (60 in)1.5 m | Medium Duty | Pasture maintenance and weeds up to 1.5" diameter. |
Rotary TillerSeedbed Prep | 54 to 60 in135 - 150 cm | Medium Duty | Thorough seedbed preparation in orchards and vegetable plots. |
Disc HarrowSecondary Tillage | 5 to 6 ft (16-18" discs)1.5 - 1.8 m (40-45 cm 耙片) | Light Duty | Small acreage soil break-up and secondary aeration. |
Sizing & Soil Condition NoteActual implement sizing varies depending on local soil conditions (heavy clay vs sandy loam), field slope, and operating speed. Heavy tillage implements may require front ballast weights and wheel weights.
Fluids, Capacities & Working Autonomy
Standard fluid requirements, service intervals, and continuous runtime estimates for Fordson Dexta.
Estimated Continuous Field Runtime: 1.2 hrs
Approximately 1.2 hours of continuous field operation at ~75% rated power on a full tank (2 gal / 7.6 L).
Estimated 75% Load Fuel Burn~1.7 gal/hr (6.3 L/hr)
Engine Crankcase Oil
SAE 15W-40 (Heavy Duty Diesel)
Standard Spec: API CK-4 / CJ-4 Heavy Duty
Service Interval: 150 – 250 Hours
Transmission & Hydraulic System
UTTO (Universal Tractor Transmission Oil)
Standard Spec: ISO VG 46 / 68 (Wet Brake & Trans Compatible)
Service Interval: 600 – 1000 Hours
Engine Cooling System
50/50 Ethylene Glycol Pre-mix
Standard Spec: ASTM D6210 / Heavy-Duty OAT Antifreeze
Service Interval: 2 Years / 1500 Hours
Fordson Dexta Specification Unit Converter
Convert power, fluid capacities, and operating weights between metric and imperial standards for Fordson Dexta.
Converted Equivalents:
Horsepower (HP)32 hp
Kilowatts (kW)23.9 kW
Metric Horsepower (PS / CV)32.4 PS
Direct Competitor Comparison
Compare Fordson Dexta against same-era industry alternatives in the same horsepower class.
Current Model
Fordson
Fordson Dexta
Engine Power:Diesel (listed): 32 hp / 23.9 kW
★ Baseline Reference
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