Bought my 1st tractor

[mkcj]

Posted on the N forum as that was what I was looking at but was told the hundred series were better being able to get for about the same price as the NAA's I was looking at. Found a few and finally picked up a 55' 640. The PO had some work done it needed a clutch so he had that replaced and the mech. said trans needed work so he rebuilt that while it was split. Installed all new gauges, new starter, front tires, battery a few months ago has 12v conv. and he gave me new petcock, lift arms, adjustment arm and stay chain kit. Here's some picture's want to bring it back to original colors also starts right up no smoke but need some advise it leaks some oil around steering base see pic. I plan on moving snow with it at our cabin so I have a couple month's to do some work on it now. Thanks Mark

 

[mkcj]

Also after he had the work done and guages he only put 29 hours on tractor as he now leases the 20 acre alfalfa field he owns and got the tractor for and the start button went out so they put a push button on the dash and I can start the tractor in gear I want to change that back what do I need to do to fix that?

 

[Ken-Pa]

Hi Mark . You made a good choice of tractors for your first one . I also have a 640, built in 1956 .I had a Sherman hi/lo transmission installed & it sure makes the tractor nicer to do things with . That oil leak unless its actually running out , I wouldn"t be too concerned about it . Also if it steers easy thats another good issue . Mine steers like a lumber wagon . I need to rebuild the front axle support for that problem . What you need to do first is buy all 3 of these manuals for the tractor . #1: owners manual , #2: 600 series shop repair manual , #3: I&T shop service manual FO-20 . What I would do before using it is check all oils & if you can afford too , drain & replace all oils. Next remove the air cleaner cup & wash it out good with parts cleaner than add the same motor oil as the engine up to the oil line than reinstall . I see the rubber boot on the gear shift is weathered & cracked . Replace that right away because water gets into the transmission at that area .You will find the model numbers of your tractor stamped on that flat area just under the oil bath air cleaner . You will definitely have to clean that area good according to the pics . You may have to remove the paint in that area with some paint stripper . "Do Not" & I repeat "Do Not" use a grinder or scrapper . The numbers aren"t stamped very deep & are hard to see .You will want to record those numbers . Once again your choice of tractors was a good one . Sorry for the long post & I hope I was of some help . If you want to, email me with your email address , so we can chat more off this site . Keeep me posted . God bless, Ken

 

[Ken-Pa]

Mark, about the starter button . Get it changed before someone gets hurt with that jerry riggin of the PO . Replacing the button is an easy job . Just be sure the transmission is in Neutral before removing the transmission top cover .Warning : block wheels . The manuals give good instructions . HTH ! God bless, Ken

 

[DollarBill]

the start button went out so they put a push button on the dash and I can start the tractor in gear I want to change that back what do I need to do to fix that?

Mkcj - Ya done good!!

First thing to check on your starter button is to verify it is actually inop. All it does is ground the lug with the little screw in it to the tractor frame when you mash the button. So with an ohm meter; connect one lead to a good ground on your tractor and the other lead to the lug on the starter switch. Push the button and if it's working properly your meter should go to zero.

If no joy, order up a top cover gasket, a new switch and switch gasket. When they arrive, put the shifter in neutral and pull the shift cover. Swap out the faulty switch, reconnect your wiring and you should be back in action.

 

[awhtx]

The steering box sits on top of the clutch area of the transmission and there is no gasket between them. If the oil is coming out of the gap between them then I would say your clutch is oil soaked from a leaking rear main seal or a leaking trans input shaft seal.
Hopefully that oil is leaking out of the steering sector shaft seals as that leak is much easier to fix. Just put a grease zerk in the oil fill hole and pump the steering box full of #0 or 00 (JD Corn Head) grease.

 

[souNdguy]

Do get the correct solenoid and start using ( replace if needed ) the safety starter button on trans top.

as for the steering box leaking oil? pump it full of #0 EP grease and go with it.. oil will go to the top of the column as you pump in the grease. you can get a zerk that fits the pipe thread fill plug on the column top. will take more than 1 tube, less than 2, how much less depends on how much oil is in there. IMHO.. I'd keep pumping till grease came out.. that way you know the top bearing is lubed..

soundguy

 

[mike1972chev]

That is a good choice!I have the exact same one 1955 640.

BTW,I like the "remove before flight " tag on the keys!