Fordson Dexta ( Ford Dexter ) Data

Fordson Dexta ( Ford Dexter) tractors were manufactured from 1957 to 1964. Find the data specifications and serial numbers here to date your tractor.

Fordson made the Dexta and the Super Dexta (badged the Ford 2000 diesel in the USA). Forgive our misnomer in the title but so many people get the spelling wrong and look for the Ford Dexta, Ford Dexter tractor, Fordson Dexter, Fordson Dextar or some other variation when searching the internet for tractors for sale, parts or just information on their Dexta; so we thought we should include all these variations so that people could find the information they were looking for.

This book, Fordson Dexta 957E’s, 1957-64 (Classic Tractor Special) covers the Dexta tractors from 1957-1964 and is a well illustrated chronicle of the tractors.

This link is to the article on How much is a Dexta worth and how much does it cost to restore a tractor?

Built at the Dagenham factory the diesel model produced 32hp from a 3 cylinder Ford-Perkins engine. There was also a 4 cylinder petrol engine (37hp) manufactured in much smaller quantities.

Ford-Perkins Diesel Engine Dexta – F3.144

Power: 32hp (23.8kW) @ 2000rpm

PTO (rated): 31.4hp

PTO (rated): 23hp

Cylinders: 3

Cubic Capacity: 144ci (2.36L)

Compression: 16.5:1

Bore/Stroke: 3.5×5.inches (89×127mm)

Torque: 93ft-lbs @ 1200rpm

Firing Order: 1,2,3

Oil Capacity: 7.66 quarts (7.2L)

Fuel Capacity: 8.4gal (31L)

Coolant: 15pints (8L)

Hydraulic outlet flow: 4.42gpm

Weight: 3,100lbs (1406kg)

Electrics: 12Volts

Petrol Engine Dexta

Power: 37hp @2000rpm

Cylinders: 4

Cubic Capacity 133.5ci. (2.2L)

Compression: 6:1

Bore/Stroke: 3.425×3.622 inches (87×92mm)

Torque: 107lb. ft. @1250rpm

Firing Order: 1,3,4,2

Oil Capacity: 12 pints

Fuel Capacity: 9.5gals (43L)

Coolant: 11.5pints (6.53L)

Weight: 3142.5lbs (1425kg)

Spark Plug Point Gap: 0.030 to 0.032in (0.762 to 0.813mm)

Hudraulic Lift Capacity: 1850lb.

 

Comments…..
1
robert kimber says:

May 23rd, 2007 at 7:24 am
where can i find out when a fordson dexter was made

Hi Robert,

I’ve had a look around and it would seem that there is a lack of consistency in the reported serial numbers in relation to the year of manufacture. The information is sumarised in this article. It may be that the casting numbers are the most reliable method of dating your tractor.

Do you have a Dexta? My neighbour came to borrow our cambridge roller last month with his Dexta. It’s great to see these machines still at work.

Stephen from Vintage Tractor Engineer.

2
steve jones says:

October 17th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
will the sump of my 1962 dexta come of without taking the engine out i have allready removed the axle, thanks steve.

3
Steve says:

October 17th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
Hi Steve,

I think that the sump will come off OK (Perkins Ford engine). Just watch
for some bolts (that hold the sump on) in the front and back of the sump as
they are tricky to see and you could miss them.

IMPORTANT
The majority of the strength of the engine is in the sump. Therefore,
support the tractor under the gearbox and then support the weight of the
engine from above (with a suitable hoist) on the lifting eyes (or make some
lifting eyes). If you do not do this then there is a strong chance that the
block may crack.

Steve

4
dave saville says:

May 1st, 2008 at 10:05 am
hi. we are rebuilding a 1959 ford dextra. tractor. would you happen to knoe the original paint colour codes.. blue for the tractor and orange for the wheels. thanks dave

5
Graham Slater says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:31 am
Can anybody tell me if the hydraulics on a Dexta are run by the engine oil or is it a seperate hygraulic oil?
I have just bought a diesel Dexta with a front loader.
Also what oil/hydraulic fluid is required?

6
Richard Lacey says:

September 23rd, 2008 at 10:54 pm
In response to Graham Slaters Question on the oil.
It is supplied from the Diff housing and uses the same oil type as the engine and gearbox. I am using an ST3 15W 40. I am in New Zealand so your oil may be designated differently.
Hope this is of some help
Richard

7
Jannie says:

September 24th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Hi

Correct timing marks on pump,cranck and valves

8
YVONNE says:

October 24th, 2008 at 8:08 am
can you tell me what cubic capacity in the F3.144 ENGINE IN A FORDSON DEXTA DIESEL. thanks

9
The Vintage Tractor Engineer says:

October 26th, 2008 at 6:16 am
Yvonne,

It’s exactly what it says on the engine number. 3 cylinders and 144 cubic inches capacity. The same system of identification is used for all the pre-mid 1990’s Perkins engines.

Steve
VTE

10
Joe says:

November 16th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
My father owns a Ford Dexta (estiamte of 1957 / 1958) that has passed down through the family and recently will not not move. It will go into gear however; it does not move. Can / does anyone have a clue what could be wrong? Or where to find more information on the clutch assembly?

Thanks!

11
jackie says:

November 27th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
We have a reck of a tractor which we are slowly restoring we have the new rad, pipes and cowl thanks to vintage tractors but where do we get the filler cap etc??

12
Joanne McLaughln says:

November 29th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Hi
My dad has a fordson dexta tractor, he is looking to find out the year the tractor was made, he has the chasey no and have casting codes for the model but he is finding it difficult to find out the year. there was no registration book present when he bought the vechicle.
I would be very grateful if you could help me in any way
Joanne

13
The Vintage Tractor Engineer says:

November 30th, 2008 at 8:32 am
Hi Joanne,

There is a good Dexta bulletin board where you will probably get an answer to your question.

http://www.fordsontractorpages.nl/phpbb2/viewforum.php?f=3&sid=173ec1d7352e705e9daf9d37fd32550d

Hope you find the info you require. Would you let us know if you find out the info.

Steve VTE.

14
hi this is ferretman says:

December 15th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Ive got a ford dexta i bought off a farmer friend it had been stood 10 years before i bought it off him for 500 quid im slowly restoring it and cant wait to have it all back together.Im a nostalgia nut so im collecting all the implements i can to go with it ,so far i have a Mconnell power arm a ferguson saw bench.And front loader which was on it,its a great hobbby,best wishes to all enthusiasts

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