460U What did I do?

Today I changed the hydraulic filter. It looked brand new, I've only had the tractor for a year. The fluid however was chocolate milk brown.

I lost about a gallon during the filter change, normal. Then I thought I would check the level of the hydraulic fluid.

My understanding is there is a plug on the side of transmission (about 3/4") with a 1/4" bolt in it. I have been removing that smaller bolt to check the level periodically. The plug is right underneath the footrest on the clutch pedal side of tractor.

Tonight when I open the small bolt, fluid trickled out. I thought OK, I have too much in it. I came back an hour later and it is still trickling, about 2 or more gallons came out (remember I already lost a gallon from the filter change). Overfilled my bucket and got the garage floor of my brand new house covered with brown milk!!!!!

Am I checking the level at the right spot? What are the charateristics of a hydraulic system with too much oil?

I was preparing the tractor another round snow coming tomorrow, but now I think I am going to let it sit until I can buy more hy-tran and change it all.

Suggestions? Thanks for all your help.

PS. I have about 3 manuals for this thing and nothing is where the manual says it should be. I don't have a lever to unbolt on my underside to disable the PTO, it says I do!!

Fluid coming out was like chocolate milk. But a total of about 10 gallons came out so I was not overfilled.

Thanks for your help.

The part about the extra fluid is kind of weird. It must be coming from somewhere or funnels in someway. I don't think that it is coolant, I don't think that there is a way for coolant to mix with the oil, but I could be wrong.

Hope this helps. Joe