A little 3400 help

[Sporket]

Ford 3400 "issues" worth it?
Hey guys, last year or so I bought a Ford 3400 off an older gentleman. The tractor looks some worse for the wear but not the worst I've seen. It looks like it's been left outside for the last few years. Upon getting her home and giving her a good workout I noticed power steering fluid leaking around the steering wheel. So I sent it in to be repaired and strangely enough while in the shop the injector pump just happen to give out.....humm. No problem just a $1200 fix. So I get her back home and a few weeks later still leaking power steering fluid and my hydraulics on the 3 pt hitch just seemed to roll over and die on me. I tried checking the oil level, but I must be an idiot and can't find where to check it let alone add any if needed. My "new" mechanic said it's probably the pump is gone out. I understand the filter can get clogged and I don't have the needed tools nor knowledge to split the tractor and take a look. Oh yeah and while bush hogging the PTO leaver will sometimes just pop out of gear. Now I paid $2500 and just thought I was getting a deal. The old diesel just fires right up and runs really strong. I'm just wondering if I got took really bad or is this old gal worth the needed repairs? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[big lar]

Sounds like there is more problems there, so maybe $3500 wasn't such a good price, especially if its been sitting outside. Best to find a back-yard mechanic experience in Fords to work on it, a shop could get real expensive. You don't say where you are from; there's 2 top notch guys in my area; one in Rhode Island and 1 in central mass.. You could ask around the farm stores or other farmers if they know any mechanics specializing in Fords,even go on craigslist, local farm paper, etc.

 

[Down South]

Time to get a manual.

You may be in too deep now, most maintenance you can do.
Even a rattle can paint job looks good from a distance.

Fill plugs are on top of trans and rear housing.
But there are plugs on the right side housings ( one on the tranny and one on the rear end housing) you pull and fill the top till it runs out.
Now if the fluid doesn't look fresh ( pull bottom plug and catch as little as possible) add a gallon of diesel to each and a 1/2 gal of 91% alcohol and run it a couple hours and drain it all. 13q for tranny 25 for rear of 134d i think.
This may clean the internal filter. No split needed.

I would have the shop re do the PS.

Search here, many have talked about pulling the pto shaft putting new seals and gaskets and replacing the snap ring behind bearing that is prone to come loose.
Check pto shaft it may go in and out a bit.

DS

 

[Sporket]

You may be right Big lar, I guess I'm committed to getting the tractor back in tip top shape. I live in South Carolina, and have had no luck in finding a shade tree mechanic but will beat down the paths you suggested.

Down South, if running diesel and alcohol for an hour will help clean the filter, and is safe, then I'm all for it. I'd hate to split the thing if it's not absolutely necessary. I drained the fluid in both the tranny and rear and there was a good deal of water and crud coming out. So I'll refill with fluids tomorrow and keep my fingers crossed and will let you guys know. Also the PTO shaft seemed to have little to no ply in it.


Thanks a lot for your help.

 

[Down South]

diesel loosens the crud and alcohol gathers the water.

Pulling the seat and top cover gives you access to the filter inside.

Pto? pulling the pto lever cover on the left will let you look inside for wear.

DS

 

[Down South]

On mine the trans was literally filled to the top 10 gal.

I got 1 - 1 1/2 gal of clear water out the bottom

 

[Sporket]

So just run it in neutral with the PTO engaged for an hour with the alcohol and diesel mixed as you said? And I'll pill the seat and top cover off tomorrow to take a peak at the filter. As for the PTO once I pull it and check for wear assuming there is no wear, is it self explanatory in reattaching?

 

[Down South]

Drive it, bush hog what ever.

Pulling the top cover is not fun, got a engine hoist?

The pto has tricks too, broom stick n grease to glue the washer in place up inside before reinstalling the shaft.

Studying a manual is worth the time, pictures are a blessing. Search the post here many have talked about the same jobs.

Ds

 

[Sporket]

Thanks man will do!

 

[Sporket]

Down South and Big lar you nailed it man. After flushing the tractor out with the cocktail we discussed and running it, say 20 min or so the hydraulics began to slowly come back to life. I was amazed. So I ran it maybe 15 more min then changed the the fluids out replacing it with UTF to the levels you suggested and everything is back to normal. Couldn't have done it without your help man.

Thanks