Ford 4000

I bought a ford 4000 tractor hooked up a York rake and it would only pick it up a few inches I checked the fluid and it looks very thin and milky and is over filled I thought gear oil is supposed to go in the rear this almost looks like hydraulic fluid any help would be appreciated
Thanks

As always, when talking about a 4000, it's best to say whether it's a 4-cylinder or 3-cylinder model.
Gear oil is supposed to be used in the rear axle, did you mean the hydraulic system? Actually, many guys are using UTF (which is like hydraulic fluid) in tranny, diffy, and hyds with good results. But if yours is milky and overfull it sounds like it may have gotten water in it. May be best to drain and re-fill.-Will

the tractor is a 4 cyl I checked the serial # and it is a 1964 I pulled the dipstick out of the rear and it is milky and very thin is this the fluid that the 3 point hitch uses and should the trans be drained also will this hurt the hydraulic pump
thanks

If it's milky, it has water mixed with it. Will it hurt the pump? Given enough time, yes. Yes, the dipstick measures the fluid level for the hydraulics. The hydraulic oil should be thin. The rear axle and transmission can use heavier oil, but because the seals between the sumps often leak, many of us use 134D compatible oil in all 3 sumps. That way it isn't a problem if they mix between sumps. The rear axle oil level is checked with a level plug, as is the transmission. It's usually a good idea to change ALL fluids in a new-to-you tractor. Even if it isn't truly needed, it's good insurance.

Thanks for the information I am going to change all the fluids like you suggested how much 134D will I need to fill all three and where are the fill plugs located at the tractor is a 1964 ford 4000 thanks again for the information and why are 2 sides on the hydro dipstick marked hopefully the 3 point hitch will work after this if not is the pump hard to rebuild
thanks

(quoted from post at 08:43:56 09/02/13) Thanks for the information I am going to change all the fluids like you suggested how much 134D will I need to fill all three and where are the fill plugs located at the tractor is a 1964 ford 4000 thanks again for the information and why are 2 sides on the hydro dipstick marked hopefully the 3 point hitch will work after this if not is the pump hard to rebuild
thanks

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You need a little over 7 gallons, so buy 2-5 gallon buckets. Check the label to make sure it meets Ford spec M2C134D spec. TSC Traveller brand does. Rural King has a version also. UTF is not the same as "hydraulic" fluid.

The dipstick only measures the oil in the center section, which is the hydraulic sump. There are markings on both sides to measure the oil level in the front pedestal on a row crop tractor. Use the side marked for hydraulics.

There is a pipe plug on the rear about at the level of the PTO to check the fill level. If you are at the rear of the tractor looking forward it is on the left side of the rear end. It has a square head.

The trans level plug is on the right side of the tractor (when facing forward) just above the running board. This plug has a hex head on it. It is near the rear of the trans. Do not loosen any bolts on the trans, you will be able to tell it is a plug upon close inspection.

The fill plugs for each section are big hex headed caps. One on the trans, one just under the seat and one on top the rear.

You didn't say what transmission you had. What I described is for a manual transmission, NOT a Select-O-Speed.

Picking up an owners manual for this site or others would be well worth your money also.

Thanks