Bought an old Ford 4500 TLB - how do I keep from breaking it?

[Armymutt]

Right now, everything important on it works. It's rusty, but strong. It needs a manifold heater - eBay to the rescue. My only other concerns are that some bushings need replaced on the boom (not sure of the correct terminology here) where the two sections meet, and it hasn't been greased in a while. My plan is to change the engine oil, grease every Zerk I can - would love to know where they all are, and change out the filters - again, would love to know where they all are. I have found the oil filter, but haven't had a chance to look for the rest, nor do I even know what else there really is. I'm assuming there is an air filter and a fuel filter. If anyone has some tips on how to keep this thing working, I'd love them. I really don't want to have to explain to Household 6 that I managed to break our new machine.

 

[RickB]

Find an operator's manual for a 4500 tractor, 745 loader and 755 backhoe. then you will know all the filter and zerk locations, fluid capacities, and types. Ebay can be your friend again, or New Holland's website offers manuals in hard copy or pdf downloads in the service tab.

 

[Armymutt]

I've got 1600+ pages in manuals coming. Mostly just trying to make sure I don't screw something up just driving it until they arrive. This is my first tractor, other than the little JD455 lawn tractor.

 

[skyhook]

- again, would love to know where they all are.

Anything that moves will have a grease fitting, keep looking.

 

[RickB]

Typing out a manifesto of all the zerk, filter, and fluid check, drain & fill points on a full size TLB is a fair bit more work than I'm going to volunteer for. Hopefully the manuals you have on order include OPERATOR'S manuals or you are in for disappointment, as service manuals lack basic periodic maintenance when's & where's.

 

[herringchoker]

Anything that moves will have a grease fitting, keep looking.

Ditto. As I recall, my 4500 TLB (sold it over 10 years ago) had 32 or 33 zerks. Don't miss the one on the front axle pivot. The only serious problem I had with it in 17 years was the bolts between the transmission case and the rear end got loose (my fault for not checking the torque) and ruined the tranny output seal. I had to split the tractor and pull it apart about 6" to replace the seal. Quite a job for a $16 seal. So I recommend you make sure all the structural bolts are torqued up. Replacing the backhoe hoses is a joyful experience (I did it twice), working through those two round hand holes under the valve block and threading the hoses up through the boom. If one hose needs replacing, save yourself a lot of heartache and replace them all at the same time. Also, replacing the fan belt can be quite a chore - you have to disconnect the driveshaft to the main hydraulic pump and the splines could be seized.

Don't be dismayed by my comments. The 4500 was a tough, hard-working tractor. Knowing what I know now, if I could go back almost 30 years I would buy it again.

 

[DJ54]

Does the 4500 have a u-joint on the main hydraulic pump drive shaft..?? I know the 550 I operated did, and no real good way to get to it. Our mechanic cut two, 6" X 6" holes in the side of the front cowling to make it accessible. Didn't look the best, but made it easy to grease..!! I think the engineers dropped the ball on this one, when in the P&D stage.

 

[herringchoker]

Yes, it does have a u-joint with access from below, IIRC. I remember having a terrible time sliding the shaft on the pump splines. It's been a long time (and the old grey matter is deteriorating), but I was able to swing the shaft sideways on the u-joint enough to do the belt swap and then I couldn't get the shaft to slide back on the spline. I ended up using spacers (oversize nuts) and longer bolts to attach the driveshaft flange to the crankshaft pulley. This eased later belt replacements.

 

[NC419N]

Those are tough old machines I have 2 of them. Can't stress enough to keep it greased. And yes Hydraulic hose replacement is a pain but for the $ really hard to beat. Does yours by any chance have a 4 in one bucket on the loader?

 

[TractorTech]

Make sure you take off the grill and grease the steering pivot and assist linkage. Might already be frozen