1959 Ford 601 Workmaster

[drscott]

I have just purchased a 1959 Ford 601 Workmaster. These forums are great. I have a 1930 Model A truck, and I am a member of a MA forum. I could not keep this truck running without all the help and knowledge from the MA forum. Im sure this Ford tractor forum is the same. I bought this 601 to play around with on my 10 acres. Some light bush hogging and garden plowing. I downloaded an owners manual from on-line and purchased a Ford shop manual from tractor supply. Still I have a few questions. IM losing hydraulic fluid from somewhere. I fill it up and bush hogged for maybe an hour, and it was empty. Cant really see a leak. Any suggestions? It would not lift BH after an hour. Fill it back up with fluid, and it lifted it fine. I do have a small leak at the bottom of my PTO shaft. IM guessing this might have a seal or gasket in behind it. This old tractor starts and runs great. But, I am sure it needs some TLC.

Is there a manual or web site that would show the full schematics of this 601?

Anyway, thanks for any thoughts or suggestions you may have.

 

[Fordfarmer]

A fairly common leak that isn't immediately visible is a leak in the pressure tube where it passes through the transmission. Once enough oil leaks from the tube into the transmission, oil will start leaking out the top of the transmission - around the shift lever or maybe at the top cover if the gasket isn't too good. If you check your transmission oil level and it's considerably over filled, you've found your leak. And yes, there is a seal on the PTO shaft. But if it's a small leak, it wouldn't drain your oil in an hour's use...

 

[Kurt-NEPA]

Welcome to the forum. Nice tractor you have there. I think you are really going to like it.

So you are loosing hydraulic fluid. If you have no visible leaks, check your transmission oil level. Is the fluid going there? The hydraulic tubes that go through the bottom of the transmission are known to corrode and cause pinhole leaks. When the hydraulic pump runs it just pushes fluid into the tranny, and usually out around the shifter or past the input shaft seal and into the bell housing.

For wiring schematics, do a search for JMOR's pictograms. They are the best.

 

[drscott]

Thanks for the reply. I actually paid $1500.00 for the tractor. I will check the tranny fluids.

I have attached a picture of what I will call a " fill Plug " right between the drivers legs. Can you tell me aht that is for?

Its filled to the top by the way.

 

[drscott]

Thanks for your reply.

Its a very small leak at the bottom of the PTO shaft.

 

[Michaels Dad]

(quoted from post at 12:00:14 09/16/13) Thanks for the reply. I actually paid $1500.00 for the tractor. I will check the tranny fluids.

I have attached a picture of what I will call a " fill Plug " right between the drivers legs. Can you tell me aht that is for?

Its filled to the top by the way.

That's not a fill plug, it's a pressure tap.

 

[drscott]

Thanks, I appreciate your reply. So, does that make sense that is full, but when I check the small dip stick on side showing hydraulic fluid, it shows empty? also,Is the large plug right above the PTO lever, a fill port for the hydro fluid?



I do appreciate your help.

 

[Kurt-NEPA]

Yes, that large (about 2" diameter) plug above the PTO lever and under the seat is the fill plug for the hydraulic reservoir.

The plug on the 3" X 5" accessory plate usually has oil. Don't mess with that plate unless you have a reason to do so. It is typically used for remote hydraulics and often has a 1 or 2 spool valve bolted there. Much like this.

 

[Kurt-NEPA]

BTW, If you haven't figured it out yet, your tractor is a model 641 with a 4 speed transmission. Your PTO will only work with the clutch out. You do have Live hydraulics, which means they work whenever the tractor is running. 641, 651, and 661 are among my favorite tractors.

Also, its been converted to 12 volts with what appears to be a Delco 10SI alternator - probably a 3 wire.

Use universal tractor fluid in the hydraulic reservoir. Commonly call UTF. You can usually get it a Wally World, TSC, most farm stores and NAPA.

 

[DollarBill]

There are three separate sumps on your tractor - transmission, hydraulics and differential. There are seals around the shaft that travels through all three sumps. As others have indicated, the amount of hydraulic oil that is being displaced is in all probability a pin-holed connector tube.

Once the problem is isolated, you may wish to consider using a universal hydraulic oil that meet CNH 134D specifications in all three compartments. You will find this available at many outlets such as NAPA, TSC and even Wal-mart.