Running Reports

ENGINE ISSUE

The new owner of a 1991 Ford 7810 Generation III that has spent its life in New Zealand introduces his machine and describes its mechanical and cosmetic condition. Words and photos by Andrew Hurst.

Above right: The badly clogged-up radiator would surely have caused this Ford to run hot during its time with its previous owner. Right: The engine had gone porous and was a non-runner. The cylinders are going to be bored, to allow liners to be fi tted.

MY LIFELONG DREAM of owning a Ford 7810 has finally been realised. I first caught sight of my 7810 whilst driving past a dealer’s yard, and from that moment I was smitten. It was actually in for an engine rebuild, so my first challenge was wrestling it away from its then-owner. We eventually came to an agreement which involved some cash and another tractor.

My ‘new’ tractor has plenty going for it in my eyes. For starters, it is a 7810, a Generation III no less, but it also has four-wheel drive and a good loader. The biggest problem at present is the engine. It had water in the oil and its previous owner had decided it was not economic to rebuild. When it arrived here, the engine was partly dismantled. Initially, I went looking for a replacement engine, but as there was nothing available in this country, I’ve chosen to rebuild what I have.

At the time of writing the engine is about to be sent to a machine shop to be bored and sleeved. We will be using the original pistons, crank and camshaft. Water had entered through the exhaust pipe, so the head isn’t very pretty, but it should skim up OK. The fuel injection pump and injectors will be overhauled in due course.

When I removed the radiator, it was 90% blocked with debris, so must have been running hot just before it took its last breath. Maybe we have a crack in the cylinder head? The rest of the tractor is pretty tatty. Not being able to start it is probably a good thing because it means I don’t know what else is wrong - for now!

It is on 34in rears and 24in fronts and the tyres are not good. I would prefer 38s and 28s, but changing

the wheels is down the list a bit. The Super Q cab is in pretty good shape, with surprisingly little rust along the window frames. The left-hand door has a crack in the frame and some rust along the bottom of the top window.

The front axle is tight and has benefited from an earlier pivot pin overhaul. The tinwork is all there, but there is some rust on the bonnet, the rear wings are dented, and the front guards are missing. Once we have the engine running, I will look at what’s next on the list to repair. The cab door can be fixed while the engine is out. With its front loader, my new 7810 will be handy for shifting bales. Eventually, when the mechanical issues are sorted, it will get a re-spray and some new rubber.

There were not many Ford 7810s sold in New Zealand in the late 1980s and early 90s, this being at a time when farming wasn’t that good and fourwheel drive 100hp tractors were still a luxury. Most of the 7810s that came here had analogue dashes, 34in rear tyres and check chains on the hydraulic arms. My tractor has three sets of double-acting SCVs and air-conditioning, both of which were optional extras.

Quite a few second-hand 7810s were imported from the UK and these all had digital dashes and bigger rubber. New ones were mostly bought by contractors who used them for baling and cultivating.

The 7810 is such a good size for a working classic, being big enough to be useful, but small enough to be economical to repair, and simple to fix. The loader on my tractor has a euro hitch, so I will be able to use it with our existing attachments. Even if I can’t find a New Holland 525 forage harvester to put behind it, I’m sure it will look grand behind my New Holland 658 baler. Watch this space!

My ‘new’ tractor has plenty going for it in my eyes. For starters, it is a 7810, a Generation III no less, but it also has four-wheel drive and a good loader.

TRACTOR: 1991 Ford 7810 Generation III HOURS: 8100 ENGINE: 103hp Ford 6.6-litre, 6-cyl OWNER: Andrew Hurst LOCATION: Fairlie, South Canterbury, NZ PURCHASED: March 2021