adding an extra reservoir to Lift-All on Farmall M

Would the oil leak out of the pump if I did this, since the oil level would be above the fill pipe? I overfilled the pipe when I was testing it a few days ago, and I had a lot of oil on the floor under the tractor the next day, much more than what normally would leak from the seals. I'm not sure if it came up out of the vent in the fill cap, or if it ran out from somewhere else on the pump. The hydraulic hose was disconnected from the hoist, so there shouldn't have been any return pressure forcing the oil out. If I have something leaking that I can't see, I may try it on my H instead.

Other than the fluid capacity, the Lift-All does a nice job of lifting and holding the hoist, since the hoist cylinder is only single-acting. Has anyone added an extra reservoir to the Lift-All on an M or H? Any suggestions on a container to use for the reservoir?

Mine get hot running the round baler and Haybine. I have been considering adding a flat reservoir on the right side of the tractor with the four-way valve return going into the reservoir instead of into the Lift-All fill line, hwere some of it blows out the vent on heavy usage.

With the oil going into the new reservoir and then into the Lift-All drain, it should help keep it a lot cooler. I realize you don't have the return problem.

I was going to weld mine out of 1/8 or 12 ga plate but you could use a piece of 4-inch pipe alongside mounted at teh right elevation.

Any idea what the pipe thread size is on the drain?

Connect it to the drain, or to the fill pipe. The end result will be the same: Added capacity!

You have to have a vent somewhere. If you don't vent the Lift-All you will tend to fill it with fluid as the air works out if you are connected to the fill connection. When the level is above the control shaft I think you will get leakage.

If you are connected to teh drain connection the fluid would have no incentive to go into the Lift-All as the trapped air above the Lift-All level will keep it out.

BTW, I ruined a tractor running without a vented cap. I had been using it for some time with a pipe plug for a cap and borrowed a neighbor's cultipacker. 13 ft wide and real heavy. I hitched it up and pulled it to the shop to top off the hydraulic fluid. I over filled it.

Took it to the garden and tested it. When I dropped it there was a loud sound. I pushed in the clutch and everything seemd OK. Re-engaged the clutch and more noise. Looked again and oil everywhere.

Summation of damage:
Pressure in the Lift-All split the front of the case pushing it into the pressure plate. Broke all three ears off the pressure plate. The side load on the flywheel broke the crank in the rear main. It is waiting full disassembly and repair, for ten years or so.

Flat plate end caps should work good.

You might want a drain on the bottom and bring your connection to the Lift-All in the side so you have a place for sludge to collect.

Truck supply stores sell vented filtered caps for hydraulic reservoirs. You might want to buy the cap first and make the opening to fill match. A generous opening like 1-1/2 inch gives you the ability to look in and judge the level and makes filling much easier.

You might also want to put a connection up high for return in case you ever want to put a valve on for two-way hydraulics.

I would weld a pair of angles, leg out, for mounting so you use short bolts to mount and can replace the bolts without rewelding and can get to the heads.

In fact, years ago, IH used to sell an add-on 1-gallon resoviour. Just screwed into a 45 elbow at the fill.

Allan