WW2017
Member
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2019
- Messages
- 31
- Location
- Missouri
- Tractor
- 1960 Ford 861, 2019 Kubota BX23S, 1951 Ferguson TO20
I have a 1960 Ford 861 that I use mainly for mowing with a 6' cutter. Haven't had any issues until a month ago.
While mowing after about an hour, transmission housing became too hot to touch. I knew there was plenty of fluid because I check all of them before use each time. Temp gauge was normal.
Shut it off, took off reservoir cap and steam was coming out. Gears had fluid on the top of them. Let it cool down and finished, tractor is not running any differently. It's done this every time since.
Bought it last year, dealer had changed all fluids. Hydro, diff and trans fluids all appeared normal. Talked to two different tractor mechanics. One said pressure relief valve in hydro pump may be stuck in "on" position. Seemed plausible, as that side of the housing (right side) was hitter than left.
He suggested talking to another, more experienced mechanic who knows a lot about old Fords.
This mechanic suggested draining all fluids (I've put 60 hrs on it since I bought it), checking how much fluid came out of each reservoir, and then filling back up (by book specs) with a fluid that is better quality than what dealer probably had in bulk.
Fluid amounts drained were close to what specs called for, but hydro was a little low. Filled up all reservoirs with correct amounts.
To the field I go. Only mowed for about 45 minutes and it was heating up again. Pulled reservoir cap, smoke/steam ( small amount) again.
What next? I'm afraid of damaging something, which would make me sick, as I have plans to eventually restore this beloved piece of history. Suggestions? I'm not much of a mechanic but I think I can get pump out if need be, just don't know what I'll do with it afterwards
If it helps any, when I first start tractor and try to raise mower, nothing. Have to pull lever a couple of times and it then works fine, other than leaking down somewhat faster than the old worn out tractors I drive as a kid!!
From looking in transmission housing, bottom shaft is fully bathed, top shaft has drops of fluid in it that it picks up from bottom shaft. Should there be more (was told by an old farmer that he always runs his big equipment one quart over what book calls for). It doesn't seem like both shafts should be swimming in fluid. Seems like it would cause sluggish performance.
Also, if this helps with diagnosis:.before testing with new fluids, tractor in neutral, hydro all the way down, I opened transmission reservoir and fluid was spitting out. Why would it be doing that unless valve was stuck in on position?
Any help is appreciated. Thanks to all.
(Sorry for the long post)
While mowing after about an hour, transmission housing became too hot to touch. I knew there was plenty of fluid because I check all of them before use each time. Temp gauge was normal.
Shut it off, took off reservoir cap and steam was coming out. Gears had fluid on the top of them. Let it cool down and finished, tractor is not running any differently. It's done this every time since.
Bought it last year, dealer had changed all fluids. Hydro, diff and trans fluids all appeared normal. Talked to two different tractor mechanics. One said pressure relief valve in hydro pump may be stuck in "on" position. Seemed plausible, as that side of the housing (right side) was hitter than left.
He suggested talking to another, more experienced mechanic who knows a lot about old Fords.
This mechanic suggested draining all fluids (I've put 60 hrs on it since I bought it), checking how much fluid came out of each reservoir, and then filling back up (by book specs) with a fluid that is better quality than what dealer probably had in bulk.
Fluid amounts drained were close to what specs called for, but hydro was a little low. Filled up all reservoirs with correct amounts.
To the field I go. Only mowed for about 45 minutes and it was heating up again. Pulled reservoir cap, smoke/steam ( small amount) again.
What next? I'm afraid of damaging something, which would make me sick, as I have plans to eventually restore this beloved piece of history. Suggestions? I'm not much of a mechanic but I think I can get pump out if need be, just don't know what I'll do with it afterwards
If it helps any, when I first start tractor and try to raise mower, nothing. Have to pull lever a couple of times and it then works fine, other than leaking down somewhat faster than the old worn out tractors I drive as a kid!!
From looking in transmission housing, bottom shaft is fully bathed, top shaft has drops of fluid in it that it picks up from bottom shaft. Should there be more (was told by an old farmer that he always runs his big equipment one quart over what book calls for). It doesn't seem like both shafts should be swimming in fluid. Seems like it would cause sluggish performance.
Also, if this helps with diagnosis:.before testing with new fluids, tractor in neutral, hydro all the way down, I opened transmission reservoir and fluid was spitting out. Why would it be doing that unless valve was stuck in on position?
Any help is appreciated. Thanks to all.
(Sorry for the long post)