Farmall M Hydraulic/Oil Location

[Type30Sniper]

I inherited a Farmall M wide front that we use to put hay out for the donkeys. Couple of the hydraulic hoses on the loader were leaking so I had them replaced but now it’s low on hydraulic fluid. I consider myself the least mechanically inclined person so I’m unsure of where to add hydraulic fluid. I asked the tech that changed my hoses out where to add fluid but he was also unsure and came back to showed me where to add oil instead. Is this valve where oil is added or where hydraulic fluid is added? Bonus points to whoever can tell me in basic terms, or better yet a picture, of where to add the other fluid.

I do have an owner’s manual on order and plan to read through it when I receive it. I don’t like messing with stuff when I don’t know how everything works and then I have to make the call of shame to the dealership. I greatly appreciate any help.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

Short answer is yes, that is the fill pipe for the hydraulics on that particular tractor. Use Universal Tractor Hydraulic and Transmission Fluid (or something worded similarly), available at any farm supply store.

The hydraulic system on your M is heavily customized. That box hanging out the bottom is a custom-built reservoir. There is no way to know how much oil it takes without draining and refilling. Just get a 5 gallon pail and top it off if you're not going to drain and refill. There may be a dipstick on the cap. If not, lower the loader to the ground and fill the reservoir full.

 

[used red MN]

Hello Type30.., welcome to YT! If there is no dipstick under that cap I would suggest you fashion a wire that you stick in there to check the level. I would suggest you keep the level at least about 3 inches below the level of the casting that has the hole the pipe goes through. If much higher than that there is a good chance oil will puke out when you retract a cylinder like lowering the loader. I see there is no rod in the handle of the CharLynn valve the hoses connect to in the left of the picture. What is the function of that valve? You must have another valve elsewhere to run the loader.
I just know the brand of the valve because my M also has one. It was used for operating rear hydraulic remotes on it for years. I see yours is missing some of the connections needed for that. The elbow coming out of the top would need connected to make it work properly for that. I also take it you have a live pump on the right side of the engine ahead of the distributor?

 

[Type30Sniper]

Hello Type30.., welcome to YT! If there is no dipstick under that cap I would suggest you fashion a wire that you stick in there to check the level. I would suggest you keep the level at least about 3 inches below the level of the casting that has the hole the pipe goes through. If much higher than that there is a good chance oil will puke out when you retract a cylinder like lowering the loader. I see there is no rod in the handle of the CharLynn valve the hoses connect to in the left of the picture. What is the function of that valve? You must have another valve elsewhere to run the loader.
I just know the brand of the valve because my M also has one. It was used for operating rear hydraulic remotes on it for years. I see yours is missing some of the connections needed for that. The elbow coming out of the top would need connected to make it work properly for that. I also take it you have a live pump on the right side of the engine ahead of the distributor?

I did plan on making a makeshift dipstick at some point. I’m honestly not sure what the one valve is. The levers to work the loader are mounted to the left of the steering wheel. My grandparents bought the tractor as it is like 10 years ago. My grandpa would work in it when I was at work so I never learned how to work on this one. I’ll attach a picture of the rest of the right side

 

[caterpillar guy]

In the picture there is a cap / cover in front of the distributor and before the fan with 2 ears that sort of stick up on it.that is the engine oil fill location. The place you circled is like Barnyard said the hydraulic fill location. Both should be on the right hand side setting in the seat. That taler round can at the back of the engine on the right side is the engine oil filter. There should be a plug close to the clutch pedal on the side of the transmission that is your transmission check plug and the fill is the big plug under the steering wheel on the top of the transmission. for greasing there should be a fitting in the side of the flywheel you have to turn the flywheel till you find it in the hole on the bottom of the housing . IT greases the pilot bearing. The little tear drop shaped deal that swivels sideways is the throw out bearing location to grease it has a pipe that comes out close to the swing cover. The rest is pretty obvious by looking for them each axle, front swivel under the bolster is in the front easy to see. There is a grease fitting for the crank sleeve under the radiator probably has not been greased in forever or close to that. Under the throttle lever infront of the steering wheel is one and through the hole in the top of the hood for the bearing near the universal in the steering shaft. Possibly 2 on the fan pulley.

 

[D Slater]

I inherited a Farmall M wide front that we use to put hay out for the donkeys. Couple of the hydraulic hoses on the loader were leaking so I had them replaced but now it’s low on hydraulic fluid. I consider myself the least mechanically inclined person so I’m unsure of where to add hydraulic fluid. I asked the tech that changed my hoses out where to add fluid but he was also unsure and came back to showed me where to add oil instead. Is this valve where oil is added or where hydraulic fluid is added? Bonus points to whoever can tell me in basic terms, or better yet a picture, of where to add the other fluid.

I do have an owner’s manual on order and plan to read through it when I receive it. I don’t like messing with stuff when I don’t know how everything works and then I have to make the call of shame to the dealership. I greatly appreciate any help.
View attachment 93660

Looks like a reservoir M&W sold. Advertised to use 3.5 gallon. Looks like the pressure line from pump is passing through pressure relief valve in picture and on to valve. Unless another pump is on tractor or a tee in pressure line before getting to relief valve a line from that valve must go to loader valves. Can't tell if a line is going from the street L on top of valve and passing pressure to loader or if that piece of metal holds valve in one possession and one of the outlets is powering the loader valve. Does loader valve have return line to left side of tractor? Or does loader have a reservoir also? You have a unusual transmission housing. Long time since I saw one with the extra bosses cast on housing side in picture.

 

[used red MN]

Looking closer I see a hose is hooked to that top rusty elbow. For some reason earlier it looked like there was just a rag stuffed in it to plug it. I see now it is an oily hose with debris stuck on the outside. That is the return for that valve and it should go over into the left side. As mentioned above he must run the Charlynn valve in one position and feeds his loader from that remote.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

I did plan on making a makeshift dipstick at some point. I’m honestly not sure what the one valve is. The levers to work the loader are mounted to the left of the steering wheel. My grandparents bought the tractor as it is like 10 years ago. My grandpa would work in it when I was at work so I never learned how to work on this one. I’ll attach a picture of the rest of the right side

View attachment 93680

The "one valve" pictured in the first post is a general purpose hydraulic remote valve. If you follow the hoses they should run to the rear of the tractor and terminate in some kind of quick-connect coupler.

I believe that is the Char-Lynn aftermarket two-way valve. It should have a rod that runs from the handle back to the operator's platform to operate it.

 

[Rich'sToys]

As mentioned, lower the loader to the ground before adding fluid, so you don't overfill it.

 

[Type30Sniper]

A huge thank you to everyone. I got the hydraulics filled and it works like a charm now. My donkeys are forever grateful