2N Questions???

The tractor seemed to be in good shape, 12 volt conversion, Sherman trans??, new paint job, good tires, ... but here's the hidden problems/questions.

First, I rode the tractor home about a half mile without any mechanical problems but the left rear tire started to come off the rim. My wife turned the car around and went back to the guy we bought it from - I parked it in the garage and he came to the house and took the rim for repair. The tractor leaked a little bit of hydraulic fluid from the left lower 3pt hitch, this seems common, and a little oil from the cotter pinned hole (vent?) in front of the trans. A week later I got the rim back and promptly proceeded to tool around a bit. When I parked the tractor the vent leak looked like a dog peeing in the wind - it lost about a cup of oil??? I am afraid to assume that an oil seal is blown!

Second, I cannot stop the PTO from turning whenever the clutch is out and the Sherman trans is in gear. I was told that the lever on the left below the seat is supposed to disengage the PTO shaft but it doesn't seem to work - always driving.

Third, the 3pt hitch doesn't have a problem lifting the blade I purchased, but the second I put my foot on the clutch the blade begins to fall (the PTO stops spinning). Should it hold hydraulic pressure better?

I guess I need someone to explain the way things should be working so that I can start to look for why mine isn't.

1) I hope it is just too much "fluid" in the trans, it would seem logical since it only drips/flows when the tractor is shut of after running. I will change the oil in the trans and let you know!

2) As far as the PTO disengage goes, I did remove the left hand cover/lever to inspect and the shift arm seems to engage the shaft correctly. It feels as if the lever does move the shaft fore and aft as it should, from there I don't know the mechanics involved but will pick up a manual and dig in.

3) According to the responses it seems as though the 3pt lift is working correctly, maybe a small leak. When I depress the clutch the blade begins to fall and will hit ground within 5-10 seconds. Also, excusing my ignorance again, but what is the reference to the "Zane Thang"? I have read many of "Dr. Zane's" posts - I assume there must be a connection.

Thanks Again,
Andy.

1a) cotter pin vent leak.....most likely you have too much "oil" in your tranny and as it heated up from your use, it expanded and overflowed the tranny front seal and out the vent. I would recommend you consider changing your hydraulic oil, 3 drains, do the differential sq plug first, (eazer to hit the bucket) then the other 2" drains in the hydraulic pump pan and the tranny case. 1 fill up by the tranny shifter. Ford/New Holland now recommends 5 gals of M2C-134D hydro/tranny oil. Of course, you could also use the 60 yr old spec of 90wt mineral gear oil, if'n you can find it. Probably need to replace the $3 tranny shifter boot.

1b) also possible for engine oil to leak out the rear seal and cause peeing, but my bet its your tranny seal, Replace it? well maybe, depending if'n it still continues to leak with normal hydro oil level.

2) When you are unable to disconnect the PTO shifter (which also drives the hydraulic pump), its usually a sign that the PTO shaft has been bent by a non-ORC driven brushog. You might be lucky an be able to pull the PTO shaft out the rearend. The Over Running Clutch (ORC) is a $60 PTO accessory necessary for successfull brushoggin'. There is a remote possiblility that your PTO shifter mechanism is bent. When you drain your tranny oil, remove the left 6" round plate for a look-see.

3) Since the 2N does not have "position control" like the 8N does (get a Zane Thang) the lift will come down when you declutch and stop driving the hydraulic pump with the PTO. Howsomever, it shouldn't drop like a brick. Before you drain your hydraulic oil, remove the right 6" round plate with the dipstick. Operate the lift and look for squirts. Most squirts require a gasket replacement unless you have a flood from your lift cylinder, it is kinda normal to dribble alittle.

Recommend you get an I&T FO-4 repair manual, readily available at most sponsors of this great N-Board, most tractor parts emporiums, www.n-news.com, even Ford/New Holland fer peets stakes, $25 cheep, getcha one..... ..Dell

See if you can determine what kind of fluid Andy. Engine oil probably means rear main seal, hydraulic fluid/trans oil or whatever you have in there could mean input shaft seal. Either way you gotta split the tractor to fix. Not bad but get an I&T FO-4, cheap as Dell would say.

"I was told that the lever on the left below the seat is supposed to disengage the PTO shaft but it doesn't seem to work - always driving."

Remove the six bolts holding the shifter cover and make sure the lever is engaged properly in the shift rail.

" Should it hold hydraulic pressure better?"

Yes Andy it should. Could be a number of things but most likely oil leaking around lift piston rings. Check the archive of this forum for much discussion on this topic and learn from our resident hydraulic expert Dr. Zane.
Most of all, have fun with your new toy. Hope this helps.
Alan Esch
45 2N kit 183513