NO TRANSMISSION FLUID

[ROB B]

I HAVE A 1950 TEA20/85 THAT I AM RESTORING.ON THE WEEKEND I REMOVED THE STEERING HOUSING TO REPLACE THE STEERING DROP ARM SHAFT SEALS.I NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING HAS NO GEAR OIL IN IT AT ALL.I AM AWARE THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL AND TRANSMISSION SHARE COMMON FLUID.THE TRACTOR HAS NOT BEEN USED FOR SOME TIME AND THE GEARS ARE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND VERY CLEAN,THE GEARS DO HAVE A LIGHT COATING OF OIL ON THEM.DOES THE FLUID DRAIN BACK INTO THE DIFFERENTIAL SOME HOW WHEN THE TRACTOR IS SITTING?THE DIPSTICK IN THE SIDE OF THE DIFF HOUSING DOES REGISTER FLUID,WHICH I DID DRAIN AND FLUSH AND REFILL WITH 5 GALLONS OF GEAR OIL LAST FALL,I DID HAVE IT RUNNING AFTER THE OIL WAS PUT IN.DOES THE TRACTOR RECUIRE ADDITIONAL FLUID OVER AND ABOVE THE FIVE GALLONS OR IS THERE SOMETHING I AM MISSING?

 

[Jerry/MT]

The steering gear box has a separate lube supply, independent of the transmission/hydraulic system. Since you are having to replace the seals, the oil must have leaked out of the faulty seals.

 

[Richard L]

Jerry, I think I read his statement different than you he said his transmission had no oil in it.

 

[ROB B]

THATS CORRECT RICHARD.JERRY,THE STEERING BOX HAD LOTS OF FLUID IN IT AND IT TO WAS VERY CLEAN.I AM ONLY DOING THE SEALS IN IT BECAUSE THE ARE LEAKING A BIT AND I WILL BE DOING A COMPLETE PAINT ON THE TRACTOR AND I DONT WANT MY FRESH PAINT RUINED.IT IS THE TRANSMISSION THAT HAD NO FLUID,NOT EVEN RESIDUAL IN THE BOTTOM OF THE CASING.

 

[Bob (Aust)]

1. With the tractor on level ground, what does the dip stick show?

2. Why remove the transmission cover to replace the drop arm seals? Grind the centering points off the drop arms and the seals will slip over.

Bob in Oz

 

[Dan S (NY)]

Rob, are you sure there isn’t oil way down at the bottom of the transmission? It may be hard to see from the top. If you show full on the hydraulic dipstick you should be good. The transmission gears are not fully submerged to the top. When they spin they carry oil up from the bottom to the gears at the top.

Dan

 

[ROB B]

DAN,I WILL HAVE ANOTHER LOOK AT THE DIPSTICK LEVEL TONIGHT,BUT THERE IS DEFINATLEY NO FLUID IN THE BOTTOM OF THE TRANS CASE AND THE TRACTOR IS SITTING IN MY SHOP,HOWEVER,IT IS ON STANDS WITH THE WHEELS OFF SO IT COULD BE SITTING WITH THE FRONT END SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN WHAT IS NORMAL.I WILL CHECK THAT AS WELL.

 

[Duner Wi]

I don"t have a TEA but I wonder if you are looking at the area behind the clutch and ahead of the transmission. If you are I don"t think you are supposed to have any oil there. Can you see the clutch pressure plate thru the steering box opening?

 

[ROB B]

DUNER,I CAN SEE THE AREA WERE THE CLUTCH IS HOUSED AND YOU ARE CORRECT,THERE ISNT ANY FLUID THERE NOR SHOULD THERE BE.I AM REFERING TO THE HOUSING DIRECTLY REAR OF THAT (THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING)AND AS I UNDERSTAND,THAT SHOULD HAVE A FEW INCHES OF FLUID IN THE BOTTOM TO ALLOW THE GEAR SETS TO SPLASH UP OIL.

 

[Jerry/MT]

Sorry, I misunderstood your initial post.

 

[Duner Wi]

Yes you need oil where you are looking. From memory and guessing I would say maybe 4 inches deep.

 

[phil(va)]

The oil should be measured on the dipstick, and another way to look at it is the oil should be to the bottom of the round inspection plate where the dipstick resides. You said you put in 5 gallons. It holds 6. Maybe that's the issue.

 

[Anonymous-0]

TEA20-80.....You are worrying unnecessarily..
Get the tractor on an even plane.
There is NO filler cap in the diff housing.
The one common filler is beside the gear stick on the near side.
Put the oil in that and make sure it is adequate by using the dipstick on the offside near the seat to check..Having done that everything is ok.

unless it's all over the floor..

 

[ROB B]

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP GUYS.I THINK I HAVE ENOUGH INFO TO DEFINATLEY GET THIS RESOLVED.APPRECIATE IT!

 

[Jeff-oh]

The non-engine (transmission/Diff. and Hydraulic) oil supply is common. The book recomends 6 gal. The correct level is to the bottom bolt hole on the inspection plate (left side of transmission under the seat).