Getting a 1949 DO Going

[Lee Brown]

Bought a 1949 Case DO at an auction and they said that they drained the fluids to "winterize" it. Want to get it out and fill it up but need to know the capacities and oil(s) to use. I know that there may be some disagreement about the oil type or weight, but you all are the experts and some of the most knowledgeable source of information around. So, assuming that I'm starting from scratch, what should I put in it and how much?

Also, it has a 6 volt battery. Do you know if it's positive or negative ground? I've heard someone say that they would get an 8 volt battery because it starts more easily and doesn't need to be rewired like a 12 volt system. Any recommendations pro or con?

Thanks, as always, for any advice / opinions! They are greatly appreciated!

 

[Mathias NY]

I also own a 1949 DO (sn: 5306041). Here is what I do with mine:

Battery: 6v, negative ground, if the tractor will start with a hand crank this is all the voltage you will need, but it will never crank as quickly as a 12v.

Engine: ~9 quarts of 30w non-detergent oil, remember to change the oil filter and to drain the clutch chamber.

Transmission: 9 gallons of 140wt gear oil, some people run with thinner in winter but this has worked fine for me, even plowing snow in 10 degree temperatures.

Hydraulics (if you have them): 30wt non-detergent, can't remember the quantity.

Coolant: I don't remember.

Good luck.

 

[Mathias NY]

Well, now I'm back home and checked my JenSales manual. It lists:

Cooling system: 6.75 gallons
Crank case: 1.75 gallons (possibly more for a system with oil filter)
Transmission: 10.5 gallons
Air cleaner: 10wt oil (it doesn't say how much)

 

[Lee Brown]

Thank you very much! That truly helps me a lot. Have a great weekend.

Lee

 

[El Toro]

Use 00 battery cables for a 6 volt system and don't have them any longer than whats needed. Make sure all connections are clean and tight. Be sure to clean the area where the battery is grounded. Paint and rust are good insulators. Hal

 

[Anonymous-0]

Lee,
I have converted all my D series Cases to 12 volt. Six volts works if everything is right, but 12 will really wheel them over and they'll start if there is any chance at all. We tried 8 volts in the old days and jiggered with the regulators to make them charge up, but they always ended up not working properly. You don't need special big cables for 12, in fact, you can use automotive cables from any auto parts store. Good Luck, a DO is a neat machine. Don

 

[garytomaszewski]

LOVE the difference in manuals; Case 5294: crankcase=7 quarts of "THE BEST GRADE OF WELL REFINED OIL.....", cooling system = 7 1/4 gallons, transmission = approximately 10 1/2 gallons of SAE 140, air cleaner = every 10 hours of operation, or oftener under dusty clean and fill to level marked on the reservoir with oil having the same viscosity as that used in the engine.

 

[CWH]

Engine: ~9 quarts of 30w non-detergent oil, remember to change the oil filter and to drain the clutch chamber
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I wouldn't run ND oil in a lawn mower, much less a tractor. Also, Hy-Tran works real good in the hyd. system.