Bought My First 550

tswisher

Member
Bought my first 550, a 1965, final price ended up $700. It's in decent shape all things considered but will take a fair amount of TLC and time. After replacing the coil and rebuilding the carb it started right up, engine sounds good. The front end loader is from ARPS in WI, not sure of the model label is worn but it operates fine, external hydraulic control, Vickers model SP212, some hoses will need replacing. Tractor has power steering but the cylinders may be leaking. I've been laid up for a week due to a woodcutting accident so I've had lots of time to read all three of the service manuals, loads of great info. In previous posts I mentioned the PTO does not shut off. I checked the fluid level and it doesn't register on the dip stick. Looking at the manuals it shows the control lever behind the seat right side, missing on mine. Visited Agpartsfirst website and saw a parts list that showed a lever in front of steering wheel right side. It flops freely, moves some when clutch is depressed but still has free play. What am I missing?
34913.jpg
 
Does the PTO stop with something hooked to it? If so,that might be the best you can hope for.
 
(quoted from post at 07:55:28 04/10/16) Does the PTO stop with something hooked to it? If so,that might be the best you can hope for.

I have not tried attaching anything to it at this point. Is there any connecting rods that are missing? I just moved the tractor from my neighbors property to mine recently and I'm just beginning to evaluate what lies ahead for me in the restoration process. The previous owner was not known for his mechanics or upkeep. The tractor had been setting out in a field unprotected for at least the past 5 years. It needs a good steam cleaning/power wash just to get a good look at it. Lots of oil and dirt build up so it's hard to say if some is due to bigger issues or if the hydraulic lines that look to have leaked a fair amount are the root cause. I do see sludge and grease build up on the exterior of the PTO spline. From what I've read this is a dry unit so there may be some seal issues there.
 
You need to drop the little plate held on the bottom of the center housing and see if the PTO handle tries to move the PTO clutch over-center. Get a friend to move the handle while you look with a light. The clutch needs to snap over-center to engage. If you have a manual and a parts book study any illustrations of the PTO clutch and the breakdown of the clutch you may have some broken fiber disks or warped steel disks. More questions/ Post an e-mail. J>
 

I'll give the manuals a look over again and once I get it cleaned up a bit so I can see everything more clearly will open things up and see what is going on inside, thanks.
 
Not that this has
anything to do with your
issue, but if it sat
outside, is the shifter
boot intact? If it
isn't, you probably have
water in the
transmission/rear end.
Might want to crack the
drain plug and screw it
almost all the way out
after it has been
setting for a while. If
there is water in there,
it will have settled to
the bottom and will come
out first.

Ross
 

Strange enough but the shifter boot is intact. However I do plan to drain the transmission as well as other fluids and replace with fresh
 
To answer your pto question. The lever on the right is to engage/disengage. Push forward to engage. It should 'snap' over center to
engage, kind of like a vice grip. It is a dry pto clutch, no fluid. Remove the bottom center plate and you will see what I mean. There
is and adjustment ring on there to tighten/loosen the pressure. There is a little button to depress in order to turn the ring. My tpo
shaft turned too when I bought it, very common.
Also keep in mind hydraulic and rear end fluid are separate. 5 gallons of 80/90 oil below. There is a square pipe plug to the upper
right of your pto shaft to remove to check rear end fluid. Hydraulic fluid is divided by a separate pan above. Holds maybe 2 gallons,
that is the little dipstick cap under the seat.
Check out the link below.
Have fun!
Untitled URL Link
 
(quoted from post at 08:36:13 04/11/16) To answer your pto question. The lever on the right is to engage/disengage. Push forward to engage. It should 'snap' over center to
engage, kind of like a vice grip. It is a dry pto clutch, no fluid. Remove the bottom center plate and you will see what I mean. There
is and adjustment ring on there to tighten/loosen the pressure. There is a little button to depress in order to turn the ring. My tpo
shaft turned too when I bought it, very common.
Also keep in mind hydraulic and rear end fluid are separate. 5 gallons of 80/90 oil below. There is a square pipe plug to the upper
right of your pto shaft to remove to check rear end fluid. Hydraulic fluid is divided by a separate pan above. Holds maybe 2 gallons,
that is the little dipstick cap under the seat.
Check out the link below.
Have fun!
Untitled URL Link

Thanks for the info. When reading through the manuals they reference 5w-20 or 10w-30 oil for the transmission. Any reason why you cant use a hydraulic/transmission oil like Rotella?
 
When the manual was printed oils were not what they are today. They got away from that thin oil because you also had to add an additive. How much are you going to use the tractor? also read my reply to the post above this on what oil to use in the Super 55 rear end.
 
Have to comment on you getting that 550, you can't go wrong. I have an old '59 that I rescued from an abandoned farm stead, had to rebuild the engine, brakes and PTO clutches and still think I got a good deal. Love this little tractor, in fact I think the 550 was Oliver's best kept secret. Don't remember much about them when they were in production.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top