Ford 3600 Questions

I bought a Ford 3600 diesel with a cab but the dealer didn't have the operator's manual yet. Therefore, I have some questions pending the receipt of the manual.What is the size of the fuel tank? Where do you check the transmission fluid and what type/kind of fluid does it take? Does it have a light which indicates when the tractor can be started? Does the clutch need to be depressed for safely starting the tractor?

What is the size of the fuel tank?

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Not sure on the 3600, but the 3000 that it replaced had a 13 gallon tank, so it should be close to that.

Where do you check the transmission fluid and what type/kind of fluid does it take?

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I assume that it has the 6 or 8 speed manual transmission. If it is either of those transmissions then there should be a dipstick for checking the transmission fluid level and it should be next to where the shift levers come out of the top of the transmission. I would use a UTF that meets the Ford New Holland M2C134D specification. The one from New Holland is pricey, around $70.00 for a 5 gallon pail the last time I checked, but you can find generic ones at Tractor Supply, NAPA, etc. for around $40.00. Just make sure that it says that it meets the 134D spec.

Does it have a light which indicates when the tractor can be started?

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There are no modern type glow plugs in that diesel engine, so there are no indicator lights for such, and it can be started just by turning the key. It might have an optional cold start assistance option called a "thermostart", which is activated by turning the key to a certain position for 30 to 60 seconds, but there's no indicator light that tells you when it's hot enough to start. It is a small fitting in the intake manifold with an electrical connection and a fuel line going to it. The electrical current heats up an element inside and once it is hot enough the heat opens a valve and allows some fuel to dribble into the manifold and catch fire from the hot electrical element. Crude but effective. On the earlier models the key position was one click to the left of off, and then it had a special spring loaded start position to the left of that, and if it is warm enough out to not need the thermostart then you turn it to the right to the regular spring loaded start position. At some point they changed the key switch so that the "heat" position is between the "run" and the "start" positions, and you have to hold it there as there is no detent in the switch mechanism for that position.

Does the clutch need to be depressed for safely starting the tractor?

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There is a starter safety switch that in line between the key switch and the starter solenoid. The safety switch is inside the top cover of the transmission and should only allow the starter to function if the transmission is in neutral. On some models it was the main shifter that had to be in neutral, and on other it was the high/low shifter that had to be in neutral, but I'm not sure which one it would be on your tractor. SO the clutch does not have to be depressed to start the tractor, but it is always good safety practice on any manual transmission to have the clutch pedal depressed when you attempt to start it.

I think the fuel tank is 12 gal.
I think the later ones had a dip stick on the transmission cover to check the level.
Early ones there's a pipe plug by your right foot for the transmission and another behind that for the rear end. See photo.
DO NOT remove the slotted screw just below the rear one.
Does not have indicator light to start but does have a neutral safety switch on the hi/lo shifter that has to be in neutral to start.
Most of us use a generic HyTrans or UTF in trans, rear end and power steering. Look at the label on the jug or pail to make sure it says meets Ford 134D specs.

I have more questions. What is coolant capacity of the 3600? Also, what size bulb goes in the flasher unit?