3550 oil check.

[Pete Hall]

Sorry but Im lost as to where to check the hyd oil level on my 3550 industrial.Is the rear end and hyd.lift ams resivour connected? im a ford man but this has me embarrased!
Thanks in advance for helping.
pete
 

[Sean in PA]

Yes, the rear axle center housing where the differential is located is also the sump for the hydraulics for the 3 point lift system. The fill hole is on top of the center housing under where your right butt cheek is when you're sitting on the tractor. The level check hole is on the right side of the center housing, near where you right heel is when you're sitting on the tractor. There are 2 filters, the first one is a screen on the pickup line that is meant to be cleaned and re-used, and the second one is a cartridge type filter on the return line that is meant to be replaced. Both filters are located inside the rear end, and you need to pull the top cover off to replace them. They don't have to be done every time you change the fluid, but if you don't know the history of the tractor it's best to service them the first time you change the fluid so you have a known good starting point.

If you have a front end loader, it is most likely powered by a separate hydraulic pump that is mounted to the front of the tractor and runs off of a shaft that goes to the crankshaft pulley, and it would have it's own reservoir as well, most likely the frame of the loader is the reservoir. Follow the hoses from the loader control valve to see where they go to be sure.