Leveling box on Ford 900

[Bluehorse]

Recently bought a 55 Model 950. The previous owner had a homemade drawbar made, and didn't use the three-point. I took it off today, and found I can't turn the leveling box crank on the leveling arm. I assume the gear apparatus inside is seized by rust or dried-up grease, as the tractor stood outside for many years. Does anyone have any ideas how I can free it up?

 

[Vito]

Heat is probably the quickest way to free it up or soak in PB Blaster.

HTH

Vito

 

[Bluehorse]

Thanks. Looks like I could remove the crank lever, and pour some into the gearcase that way.

 

[Ultradog MN]

Those things are very easy to dissasemble.
There is a roll pin that holds the gear to the crank shaft. Drive that out and pull the shaft and gear out. Then take the whole unit and tap the threaded end on the floor. This will push the top cap out and the whole unit comes apart.

 

[Bluehorse]

Thanks, Ultradog. I'm going to try that, and hopefully save the cost of buying a new one.

 

[souNdguy]

it should have a zerk.. but if real dry and rust, you can toss it into a parts washer and see if it will free up.

on ones with just old grease.. a couple minutes of torch heat usually frees them up.

soundguy

 

[Bluehorse]

Thanks for the hints, everyone. I'll see how this proceeds.

 

[Jeff IA]

Mine was like that but it wasn't the crank & gear, it was the body of the arm that had crud built up so it wouldn't turn. Took a lot of heat to free it up. Solvent wouldn't have done it on that one.

 

[souNdguy]

good luck. you"ll get it. as UD said.. it"s easy to take apart, if eventually needed.

 

[Jim.UT]

You'll know better which way to focus your efforts after you get it off. At that point it will be obvious if the gearbox is locked up or if the lower threaded body is locked up...maybe both, but it's usually one or the other.