Fordson Dexta service schedule

1. Stop the engine. Never run it with the air cleaner base off: the pneumatic governor works from the inlet and the engine could overspeed.
2. Release the clamp and remove the base and lower gauze.
3. Tip out the old oil and sludge, wash the base and gauze in paraffin and dry them.
4. Clear the vanes under the pre-cleaner and the two slots in its dome.
5. Refill the base with clean engine oil to the level of the shoulder and refit with the gauze. Tighten the ring clamp.

Tools: Drain tray, Paraffin, Brush, Rags

1. Stop the engine and lower implements.
2. Wipe each nipple and grease until clean grease shows: front axle and steering linkage, pedal and control pivots, and lift linkage, as shown on your lubrication chart.
3. Check the gearbox and rear axle oil levels and top up as needed.
4. Check the battery: electrolyte 0.25 in (6.3 mm) above the separators. Top up with distilled water only.

Tools: Grease gun, Rags, Battery filler

1. Work the tractor so the oil is hot, park level, lower implements, stop the engine and chock the wheels.
2. Remove the sump drain plug (next to the oil strainer cover) and let the hot oil drain. Wear gloves.
3. Take off the strainer cover, remove the strainer screen and wash it in clean paraffin. Let it dry and refit with a sound gasket.
4. Undo the filter body, throw away the old element, clean out the body and fit the new element with a new seal.
5. Refit the drain plug and fill the sump to the full mark on the dipstick with fresh oil of the right grade.
6. Start the engine, check the oil pressure and look for leaks at the filter and plug. Stop, wait a few minutes and recheck the level.

Tools: Drain tray (10 L), Spanners for the sump plug and filter centre bolt, Clean paraffin for the strainer, Funnel, Rags, Gloves

1. Stop the engine.
2. Remove the small circular cover plate on the side of the governor and take out the gauze capsule.
3. If it is blocked with dust, wash it thoroughly and let it dry. Oil it only lightly; do not dip it, as surplus oil can get into the governor.
4. Refit the capsule and cover.
5. Remove the rubber plug at the back of the generator, put two drops of engine oil in the bearing and refit the plug.

Tools: Screwdriver, Paraffin, Oil can

1. Stop the engine.
2. Push the belt in and out midway along its longest run. Total movement should not exceed 1 in (25 mm).
3. To adjust, slacken the generator mounting bolts, move the generator away from the block and retighten the bolts securely.
4. Never run the engine with the radiator empty.

Tools: Spanners, Rule

1. Chock the rear wheels, remove the front hub caps and jack up the front.
2. Rock each wheel at the rim. Do not mistake wear in the spindle bushes for bearing play.
3. If there is play, remove the split pin and tighten the nut until there is slight resistance to spinning, then back off one castellation and fit a new split pin.
4. Repack the hub caps with grease and refit them.

Tools: Jack and axle stand, Chocks, Pliers, Box spanner for the hub nut

1. Park level and stop the engine.
2. Clean round the steering box filler plug and remove it.
3. Top up with transmission oil to the correct level and refit the plug.

Tools: Spanner for the filler plug, Oil can

1. Stop the engine and chock the wheels.
2. Single clutch: remove the split pin and clevis pin on the operating rod and turn the clevis to give 19 mm free movement at the pedal. Refit with a new split pin.
3. Live PTO clutch: slacken the locknut on the adjusting screw in the release arm (the screw bears on a lug on the transmission housing) and turn the screw to give 19 mm. Do not alter the operating rod length on these tractors.
4. Brakes (drums cold): release the parking latch and jack up one rear wheel. Slide back the adjuster cover and turn the notched wheel until the shoes are fully expanded, then back it off until the wheel just turns freely.
5. Do the other side the same way, refit the covers, and after an hour's work check both drums for heat; slacken off if one is dragging.

Tools: Spanners, Rule, Screwdriver, Jack

1. Remove the pre-cleaner, the vertical silencer (where fitted) and the bonnet (four screws and nuts).
2. Disconnect and remove the battery.
3. Remove the base and lower gauze, disconnect the throttle linkage from both ends of the cross shaft (split pin inside, spring ball joint outside) and slacken the inlet hose clip.
4. Undo the four bolts holding the body to the battery heat baffle and lift it off.
5. Clean every part in paraffin and dry thoroughly.
6. Refit in reverse order, refill the bath to the shoulder with clean oil, and reconnect the battery with the positive terminal to the earth strap.

Tools: Screwdriver and spanners, Paraffin and tray, Rags

1. Stop the engine, turn the fuel tap off and keep flames away.
2. Unscrew the centre bolt and take off the filter body. Remove the element.
3. Clean the inside of the body with a brush and clean fuel. Do not use a rag or touch it with dirty hands.
4. Fit the new element and a new rubber sealing ring, and refit the body. Tighten the centre bolt with moderate pressure only so the ring is not crushed.
5. Turn the tap on and bleed: slacken the two bleed screws on the filter head and work the lift pump priming lever until fuel without bubbles comes out. If you cannot get a full stroke, turn the engine one revolution.
6. Tighten the inlet bleed screw then the outlet one as the lever rises. Then slacken the injection pump bleed screw two or three turns, prime again until air-free, and tighten it.
7. Wipe off all spilt fuel.

Tools: Spanner (use a 5 in spanner on the centre bolt), Brush and clean fuel, Container, Rags

1. Clean around the injectors and pipes before undoing anything.
2. Disconnect the pipes, blank them off, and remove the injectors.
3. Have them cleaned and tested by your dealer or a diesel specialist. Do not tamper with the injection pump.
4. Refit with new washers, reconnect the pipes and bleed the fuel system.

Tools: Spanners, Blanking caps for the pipes, Injector tester (or send to a diesel specialist)

1. Run the engine to normal temperature, stop it and hold the stop control out so it cannot start while you turn it.
2. Remove the primary air cleaner, the vertical silencer (where fitted), the bonnet and the rocker cover.
3. Move the flywheel inspection cover on the left of the clutch housing and turn the engine until the TDC line is at the V notch with No. 1 on compression (valves 1 and 2 closed).
4. Check and set valves 1, 2, 3 and 5 to 0.010 in: slacken the locknut, turn the screw until the feeler is a light drag, hold the screw and lock the nut.
5. Turn the engine one full turn to the same mark and set valves 4 and 6.
6. Refit the cover with the gasket seated, then the fibre washers, flat washers and self-locking nuts; refit the bonnet and close the flywheel cover.

Tools: Feeler gauge 0.010 in (0.25 mm), Ring spanner and screwdriver, Spanners for bonnet and rocker cover

1. Work the tractor so the oil is warm, park level, stop the engine and chock the wheels.
2. Remove the gearbox drain plug and let the oil drain completely.
3. Refit the plug and fill with fresh oil to the correct level on the gearbox dipstick or level plug.
4. Run the tractor briefly and recheck the level.

Tools: Drain tray (15 L), Spanners, Funnel

1. Park level, lower the lift arms fully, stop the engine and chock the wheels.
2. Remove the rear axle drain plug(s) and let the oil drain. Clean any metal off the magnetic plug.
3. Refit the plugs and refill with fresh, clean oil to the correct level. Keep everything clean: the lift pump and valves are made to fine limits.
4. Run the engine, work the lift a few times and recheck the level with the arms down.

Tools: Large drain tray (25 L), Spanners, Funnel

1. Let the engine cool. Take the radiator cap off before opening the drain taps.
2. Open both drain taps (radiator and block) and drain into a tray.
3. Flush through with a hose and hose dirt and chaff out of the radiator core.
4. Close the taps and fill slowly to avoid an air lock: soft water in spring, anti-freeze mix in autumn.
5. Run the engine, check for leaks, let it cool and top up.

Tools: Drain tray, Hose, Hydrometer