So, I have been reading the service manual, and have concluded a proper owners manual is what I need, but have yet to locate. I appreciate any input, and patience........
I am not making much sense of the shop manual. Not as straight forward as a Climer or Chilton book. Really need to find an operators manual with straight forward operation and maintenance information. The old man I bought it from could tell me little. He is in his 80's and recently had a stroke.
I am going to skip around a bit, so hang on.... This manual overlaps so many models, I get lost sometimes, but keep in mind this initial issue of the hydraulics cutting out is the main concern.
This model is a 4600 SU. And please excuse me, I am a pretty good electrician and moderately successful contractor, but not a great mechanic. I am capable, just lack some knowledge. Plus, I am not up to speed on tractor mechanic lingo. I am decent on my trucks and vans.........now that we got that out of the way.....it stated the fluid level plug was on the right side on the center axle housing in front of the rear axle housing. Right side is passenger side in American vehicle nomenclature, correct? The rear axle has three sections, so the plug is on the right side of the center section and appears to be about half way to the rear of the tranny housing. Looks like a square headed plug. It is just below the hydraulic flow valve. The valve is a round knob about big around as my thumb. Anyways, this square headed plug is the only thing I found on the right side that logically fits the manual description of fluid check plug. The other bolts held on that flow valve assembly.
Also, to narrow down this model and features, I see no hydraulic pump on the engine. Two are described in particular depth: a piston type and gear driven type. Both are described as being in the rear of the engine. All I see is a starter on one side and nothing on the other side. A third is described also, being in the rear end, so this pump is in rear end?
Also, amongst all the confusion of this manual, I concluded there are two filters for the hydraulics: a screen and a paper filter, both in the the rear. Does this sound correct? The replacement of these require removing the lift arm assembly it looks like.
There are only two filters externally that I have found on this tractor: Fuel and oil.
The next question I have is how to fill the rear end? I see a drain plug in the rear, just ahead of the drawbar, but see no means to fill it.
Note to self...... This manual seems to be more for overhaul than general service. I suspect this was written for professionals, not the layperson that simply wants to mow and plow their homestead.
IF I could bother with but a few of more queries......The tractor has an aftermarket FEL, and one set of remotes. There is an aluminum block under the seat with hoses coming in and out. This , if I am correct replaced/bypassed the priority valve to accommodate the FEL and rear remotes. On one end of this aluminum block, I notice a lever that pivots on one end and attaches to a piston about midways. It seems to move on its own under tractor operation. What should I know about this? Do I need to manually move this to divert fluid or does this always operate on it's own? I have decided to let sleeping dogs lie on this til someone teaches me. My guess is it changes the priority of hydraulic flow based on the draw of fluid, but that's a guess. Like I said, I see it move on it's own from time to time. I suppose I could manually direct flow, why else would there be a handle on it otherwise, but what would could I be breaking in the process? Til someone tells me, I will leave it alone.
I also notice one thing about this aftermarket valve body, there is a selector lever, to the side and below it, that is partly obstructed by a hose coming out of this aftermarket valve body. My old IH had a similar selector switch, I never used it, but seem to remember it cut off my 3 pt lift arms. The Ford manual states this selector goes from 3 pt only, to remote only, with the middle detent position "pressure is directed to both 3-pt lift cylinder and remote cylinder port in selector valve when control valve is in raising position." Ok, so I got all of that except for the "when control valve is in raising position, " part. The other thing is, the shop manual does not tell you which direction does what. My question is, what function does this selector have now with the after market valve body (the one with the hoses going to the FEL). The lever an only move back and straight up, the hose blocks it from full range of motion. It is one of them things I could inadvertently hit and in looking at today, began to wonder. I am not sure if I may have moved it. The hydraulics work, but could this be in the wrong spot affecting my hydraulic system or is it bypassed? Still today, things work flawlessly, on level ground. Just need to determine the fluid level plug and where the heck I add fluid to rear....
Back to the other valve.....This has to do with that valve on the right side just below the lift arm/rear end cover. I have concluded this is the flow control valve. Doesn't seem to do much. I will leave it alone for now. I can screw it in and out. What does in vs out do? No markings on it and nothing specific in the manual. Could this be something to watch as far as hydraulic performance?
Note to self: service manual expects you to know full operation prior to working on tractor or reading this manual.......
And to be clear, the tranny and rear diff have separate fluid, correct? This service manual has a lot of overlap between models and is very confusing. Looks like the tractor breaks into three main sections: engine, tranny, rear end. With three distinct drain plugs, this appears correct. Or,is the rear plug to drain fluid for the wet brakes? To add further to my confusion, the manual states fluid for the hydraulic lift system is " common with differential and final drive lubricant and on models X.Y,Z the wet brakes lubricant fluid is separated from the transmission lubricant by oil seals." So, the rear end and wet brakes use common oil, while the tranny is separated? Right? The tranny fluid looks like new.
I promise this is the last question, this tractor runs great, drives great, steers well, has more power than I could possibly need. But on some occasions, it is difficult to up/down shift or change the range. I may drive into a corner and need to back out or shift down while going through a rough spot of field. Can't do it. Grinding and chattering. Is this a clutch engagement issue or is there some sort of brake on the tranny failing or do I just need to learn how to operate it? I am not expecting to shift on the fly......I just wish to stop and change gears.
