Need some help - John Deere 50

[Badger08]

After changing oil this spring and plowing, the oil level was fine in my 1956 50. But the last few weeks I have had to add oil, maybe a 3rd of a Quart each time, so about 3/4 of a quart. This tractor has never used oil on me so kinda suspected something and knew it had to be going somewhere. So, I opened the transmission and Pto fill plugs the other night, and the transmission oil ran out. So I suspect the engine oil is going into the transmission oil. When I bought the tractor (4 years ago) I changed all fluids, from transmission, power-trol, power steering, everything. And I used all John Deere oil"s. Now while reading about oil to change transmission oil in my Super A, I read in these older tractors not to use GL-5 90w, well looked at the pail that went into the 50 and it"s GL-5. So my two questions are, 1 - How is the engine oil getting into the transmission? and 2 - Should I put GL-4 back into the rear-end if I can find it?. I am thinking maybe through the PTO or first reduction oil is getting into the transmission and it has me wondering if the GL-5 ate up a gasket or something?...but maybe it was just time to, as it isn"t new anymore. But with a little advice maybe I can tackle this myself if not will get someone else to do it, need to get it back in order to keep cutting firewood for the year! Thanks everyone.

 

[rankrank1]

I doubt GL-5 would have ate a gasket. GL-5 has been known to eat up certain types of brass or bronze type bearings/bushings often found in older tranny's which in turn could waller out a shaft seal as the bearing increasingly gets sloppy.

 

[Badger08]

Thanks, I didn't 'think' it would...but then when I figured out what happened my mind started wondering if that had any affect.

Also, I looked through the archives trying to find any information on this without much luck. So posted to gather some.

 

[Mike M]

There is an oil seal on the right side of the crank next to the main bearing. Likely it's original and hard as a rock.

 

[sbs]

NAPA was able to get me some GL-1 90W mineral oil for my John Deere 60.

 

[BushogPapa]

If you think the Rt Main bearing seal is leaking, be Sure to check the clearance of that main bearing..
A Dial Indicator and just Lift on the Crankshaft end should tell you..

I do not (off-Hand) know which use trans oil in the 1st red and which use engine oil..

Ron..

 

[Badger08]

Mike, thanks for the reply. If it's the oil seal your talking about (and I have the right one) JD has it for $15. I looked in the Parts Manual and it would be page 15-6 item #24.

#23 is a "Baffle, Transmission Oil, with Support" - I wonder what does.

I was looking on page 20-6 in the Parts Manual and that has the First Reduction Gear Cover breakdown and that's where the belt pulley would be running in Engine Oil, but the 1st Gear Reduction case hold Transmission fluid, so could be possible it's mixing there too right?

 

[Badger08]

I did check with Napa and they didn't really know if they could or not, so I said I would check back in (as I walk by all the time). I then found Sta-Lube GL-4 online through one of our distributors at work so ordered some through them. But thinking that will end up in the 50 once it gets tore apart and will replace the oil in it since it's been mixing now.

 

[Badger08]

Ron,

I looked it up in the Manual, and on the 50 the 1st Gear Reduction cover holds Transmission fluid. I will check the clearance if it comes apart. Thanks.

 

[BushogPapa]

I had a Rt side seal leaking on my 630 and found I had .070"+ Main bearing clearance..no wonder the seal was leaking..!!

Ron..

 

[Badger08]

So, the more I think/look at this. If that seal is bad, that is where the engine oil is leaking into the 1st gear reduction housing, then from there it gets into the transmission housing?