Hydraulic system question for IH 240 Utility

[fred93]

In 2005 I purchased a 1956 IH 240 Utility tractor. The owner had passed away and I bought it from his widow. At that time I had never even sat on a tractor, let alone owned one. The brother of the deceased owner showed me a few things about the tractor and he made mention at that time that the tractor used to have a front end loader bucket at one time. But since the front bucket had been removed there was no hydraulic fluid reservoir any more. He said the reservoir was in the mounting tube that attached the accessory bucket to the tractor. So, not being too familiar with the front bucket set up and not wanting to have a hydraulic system without a reservoir I had one made by a local shop. I also put a filter in line to make sure that no dirt got into the new hydraulic pump that I had to install right after I bought the tractor.

Well, this all happened 13 years ago. Now, after acquiring significantly more technical information about this particular tractor, I find myself wondering if I should leave the reservoir and filter in place, or should I put the system back to original???? I know now that the reservoir is between the engine and the transmission. I also wonder if it should a good idea for the pump to suck the hydraulic fluid through the filter???

Your thoughts and recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

 

[K5lwq]

I don't see a problem at all with your set up. If it was going to be an issue, I am sure you would know by now. :thumbsup:

 

[BobG_in_VA]

First...the 240 did not come out until about 1959 or 60ish...I've got a '57 230 which came out before the 240...your original hydra. system fill point is the inch(ish) bolt head on the left side of the tractor about 10 or so inches behind the serial # plate (about even with the very top of the plate)...by the way what does that plate say?? I'm assuming you have a 2pt or 3 pt hitch in the back??? bobg in va

Here's the tractordata sheet for the IH 240 TractorData.com International Harvester 24 tractor information

 

[fred93]

First...the 240 did not come out until about 1959 or 60ish...I've got a '57 230 which came out before the 240...your original hydra. system fill point is the inch(ish) bolt head on the left side of the tractor about 10 or so inches behind the serial # plate (about even with the very top of the plate)...by the way what does that plate say?? I'm assuming you have a 2pt or 3 pt hitch in the back??? bobg in va

Here's the tractordata sheet for the IH 240 WEBSITE MADE ME REMOVE YOUR LINK!!!

========================================================================================
Thanks for the reply and the link. How do I tell what year my tractor is? The data plate is stamped "577 J" (see pix)

I have a three point hitch, I guess? (see pix)

 

[fred93]

I don't see a problem at all with your set up. If it was going to be an issue, I am sure you would know by now. :thumbsup:

Thanks for your reply--I have not had any problems with this set up and I figured that the filter was a big plus. The only thing that I noticed is that the hydraulic pump seems to make more noise than I think it should (like a whining noise when going up or down--I don't remember if it has had that noise all the time or if it started doing that after a while).
The other thing that I wondered about was is this setup allowing a air pocket to form at the top of the reservoir (that black square box to the left of the filter) I believe that when I filled it up with fluid the first time, I removed the plug at the top of the reservoir and poured fluid in, filling it to the top.

 

[BobG_in_VA]

Your 240 is a 1958..the 240 started in '58 with serial #501...your's is 577. You actually have a 2pt hitch that has been converted to 3 pt...the 240s only came with 2pt, but conversions can be had..I converted my 230 to 3pt but can still use the 2 pt if needed. (I've got a 2pt 2bottom plow for it)..anyhow keep your hyd. reservoir full and enjoy. the 123cu. in engine should last many more moons with decent maintenance. BobG in VA PS: the J in the serial stands for Rockford clutch..the best they ever put in the IH stuff.

 

[LouNY]

The only thing I don't see in your pics is a vent/breather for the hydraulic reservoir.
Otherwise if it's working good don't fix it.
If you are changing and adding hydraulic requirements and needing more volume in the system you could tee in the old reservoir if you could get it clean enough.